A simulator is the single best thing you can invest in however if you choose to use the FMS system, you really need to get the correct cable and hook up an actual transmitter in order to learn anything, with that in mind any simulator with teach you the basics of how to control the plane as long as your using a transmitter like you will use with your RC planes.

I wouldn't recommend a WWII plane as your first plane, I tried a GWS P51 as my first plane to solo on and it didn't survive the first attempt at flight. I would really recommend the GWS Slow Stick http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHCJ2&P=ML
for your first plane, then as suggested above move onto other planes once you know how to fly.