My path to warbirds started of course with my trainer and then went to a Hobbico Brightstar (out of production now but it is a flat bottom wing, low wing, trike gear with low wing loading)
I am now flying a Hanger 9 P-51 PTS, the only training aid I am using right now is the wing droops. I figure once I get the droops off it will be close to most warbirds in handling and I will be ready for my next step, a Hanger 9 AT-6.