TopFlite makes a great kit. They take time and patience to build. Quite honestly, I wouldn't pick one as a first kit. That being said, the experience will teach you an awful lot more then building say an Ultra Sport. The real advantage to starting with a simpler plane is that you'll learn the parts, figure out what tools you need and have something when you're done that flys reasonably well.

However, if you go with the P-47, you'll find the TopFlite instructions offer a LOT of tips to help you through, particularly on things like sheeting. They tell you how big to make the 'skins' (larger pieces of sheeting glued together then cut before application), give templates for the actual part prior to bending etc. And if you screw up a piece, head to the hobby shop of a few planks of balsa.

And one thing more. The real trick to this hobby is that you keep getting better. So if you finish your plane and it's not the greatest, don't worry. The next one will be better. And you might even build a second version of the same plane. Not only have I done that but I know some folks who compete in the Scale Masters and guess what they build the first one to iron out any problems, finish it without all the scale details, fly it to learn the habits of the plane and then build the 'real' one with all the bells and whistles.

Enjoy building, take pride in your work and improve with every plane. Good luck.