Jim,
Send me a PM with your full name and address on and I'll pop you a couple of sample pieces of different rubber strip that are likely to suit in the post FOC.
For a Kick off I reckon we'd be looking at a 1/4" strip for this model with a single loop, but the supplied prop is smaller than I'd naturally go for a 24" span model (try the 6" prop if you can) so nothing is definite!. Initially I'd make the motor just a bit longer than the prop hook to peg length, you can make up longer motors later. Incidentaly 1/4" is a wide as it goes, so if more power is required then you have to start looking at multiple strands (ie loops) of smaller width rubber.....
What is the AUW (less rubber) of your model?, and the approx prop hook to peg distance?
The truth is that you never quite know exactly what motor width (the thickess is always the same) you need until you have a go due to the variables of weight, prop size, and trim.
One thing do you have a winder? Putting 800 winds on by hand would be tedious to say the least and also you can't stretch whilst winding (this allows more winds to be put in a set length of rubber) This means that you can't retain the rubber on the prop hook as you have suggested because you need to be able to take it off for winding.
Here is the one i've got, you can get it from SAMS or KP aero direct:
http://www.kpaero.com/ProductReport.asp ... ry1=rubber
This is a snip at £7.95!
Andrew