Jump into a 'short kit'. That is, the main parts are cut for you, form a kit cutter, you just buy the planks & sticks. The plan sets are avaliable from the reputable 'scale masters' such as Ziroli, Bates, Holsteadler (sp?) etc.. Many have warbirds, but also many have civilian & commercial ones too!

It's basically one step up from 'scratching'!