Something that isn't thought of as a warbird that does fine as a second plane... the DH Tiger Moth, which was the main trainer used by the british in WWII. More interresting looking than a typical trainer... but it is just as easy to fly.

There's some stand-off scale versions of WWII fighters that aren't too bad. But you need to stay away from the accurate scale planes (especially Mustangs and Corsairs) until you have more experience.

My advice is to get a Four Star 40, and dress it up a little to look like a P-51, or P-40. With the aid of an eperienced builder... you can even stick retracts into it and still have it light enough that it shouldn't give you problems.

There was an interresting looking kit-bash of a GP Slow Poke into a sorta BF-109 in the new issue of Model Aviation... That would also have some of the appearance you crave... and the flight characteristics you need.