When I was a boy I WAS IGNORANT in many ways, but could make an AM transmitter and in fact almost killed myself a number of times, HV KILLS.
But, here is a solid state 3 kw pep amp, which would need cooling fan, but with some amount of carrier in 41 meter band, and we would also need harmonic filter would make a 700 watt am transmitter. You figure which class D amp you want to series modulate or use the Heising method? Did I spell that right.
Its work for a technical person in a lab to complete the unit. Now, question was asked about class C vs E vs bipolar vs FETS.
I can't quite price everything here, but 3 kw pep would make a lethal rig driven with a ssb exciter.
Oh, naughty.. but there are many ways to make a transmitter work.. its a matter of choice, your needs, your skill level and pocket book. My gut feeling here is home brewing a kw am transmitter with class E, would be by far least expensive, but its also needs higher skill levels and lab equipment to adjust.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3000-Watt-PEP-LDMOS-RF-Power-Amplifier-1-8-54-MHz-HF/222707564979?hash=item33da67c1b3:g:wjQAAOSwNNdZ1ToL