Iam in the same boat you are in. I bought a simulator first then took the plunge. I ended up getting both the T-28 and the F4U Corsair. The T-28 is much more stable and predictable in the air and a whole lot of fun. The Corsair was fun too but needs a little more attention, especially take-offs and landings. If I were to get just one, I would definatly getthe T-28 first.

fun fact:
My father in Law saw my T-28 box in my living room and said "hey I use to fly those" I thought he meant the RC T-28. He said "No, the real one"

apparently the real T-28 is a Navy training plane that can do acrobatics. He said the real T-28 was the most fun plane he has flown. When we flew my RC T-28,he said that it flew very similar to the real one.