Hi,

Was actually trying to understand the glow vs electric first from an standpoint of the components involved. Earlier days, I was used to diesel engines and not much options were available. Now the online stores are offering the glow engines, plug, fuel pump, muffler and a host of other products in the nitro range to the point of becoming confusing to the un-initiated one.
Likewise for the electric motors.

So the first answer that I was looking for was "what all components do I require to power up?" both for .4-.5 nitro and for electric.

Regards
Pankaj

For glow, see this :  http://www.rcindia.org/gas-glow-nitro-planes/requirements-for-starting-off-in-glow/

to startup in glow you have to buy a motor and a suitable esc
then a battery suitable to the esc.
then connect esc to the receiver and the batt to the esc and rest is the servos

this will help u a lot uncle

http://the-radio-controlled-airplane.com/rc-airplane-electronic-connections.html

For electric, the list is something like this :

1. An airplane (an "ARF kit" would be good, it is a lot less work building it as compared to a plain "kit").  Obviously this includes landing gear also.  A foamie/glider would be good, along with beginner planes which are designed to have the motor mounted pointing backwards.

2. A motor ("brushless" is preferred) that suits the size of the plane.   You will need a propeller that suits the motor.

3. Servos

4. Transmitter and Receiver

5. One (or more) lipo battery to power the motor.

6. An Electronic Speed Controller (ESC, similar function as the carb for glow). Many ESCs come with a built in battery eliminator circuit (BEC) so that it can power not only the main motor (item [2] above), but also can power the receiver and the servos. Some people use a separate receiver battery and an external BEC for added safety.

7. Miscellaneous items like servo extensions and/or Y-cables.

8. Chargers for main battery and transmitter battery (and receiver battery, if you are using one).  I forgot to mention this in my list for glow.

Note that this is a list for average beginner.  For your specific requirement of .4 to .5 size, I think many people would go for separate BECs and receiver batteries.  Others can confirm this based one their experience.

To complete the list for an absolute beginner ...

9.  Appropriate connector to connect the battery to the ESC and the ESC to the motor.  The ESC to the motor connection can be hard wired, but you will want to test the direction of rotation of the motor before finalizing the soldering.  So you will need the right type of connectors (depending on amps drawn) and soldering equipment.  Shrink sleeves are highly recommended.

10. You will need something to secure items on to the frame.  This is more of building material stuff, so probably does not belong to this thread.  But items like velcro strips, sponge-foam to hold the battery/receiver etc, double sided tape, glues of the right type for fixing the frame or crash repair, thread locker glue, etc.