When you are working your way to a warbird, consider one of the H9 ARFs (yes, I said ARF) in your line of trainers. The 60 size (and their new 50 size F4U) fly more like a trainer than what most have come to call "warbird like". They assemble around 7-8 pounds powered by glow fuel and that takes away a lot of the bad manners some attach to warbirds.

What they do is give you flight time with something that looks good and flies good. They will teach you the value of building light also.