I forgot about the thorp being only tailwheel as tailwheel is just about all I have flown. Basically if you want a tailwheel airplane that is hot like the rv or thorp you would need to learn on something slower and easier first like a cessna 140, cub, champ, etc... . once you feel comfortable in one of those which shouldnt take all that long 5-10 hrs you can transition into the hotrod and pick it up fairly quickly. However if you feel you are the fast learner and very capable pilot you could start out with the rv or thorp but it wouldnt be the safest thing. Just remember that in WWII they were teaching in the stearman and that is considered by most a challenging airplane.
Lee