We all have to face that fear and get on with it. As we progress and start flying more advanced models you will see more time spent on maintainance than flying with certain planes. You must keep these planes flight ready just like you would a full scale bird that you fly your family around in or make a living piloting. Fuel, vibration and basic airframe stress can take it's toll.

From the reading I've done the Hangar 9 P-51 PTS looks like a good training plane. My older brother is going to start flying with us soon and I'm looking at differant trainers for him. I just wonder if the P-51 wouldn't be a better second stage trainer though ?
Seems if you can get your flight basics and first takeoff and landing solos with a true trainer and coach, then break out the P-51 PTS during the final trainer stages it would stand to reason that you'd be better equipped to handle the stress of flying your brand new plane for the first time.