Sounds like with the experience you have you can go from a shrike to the DF skipping the pusher stuff. The BVM F86 is a great flier and very docile, you should be able to handle it if you can keep up with the speed and eliminate having to go the pusher route. Biggest difference from props to DF's is the lack of airflow over the control surfaces at low speeds, you need to keep speeds up to have surface control. Since you have flown some warbirds you probably already have the experience with higher wing loading and complex systems (ie: retracts, flaps, etc..) so that should not be a problem for you....
Todd