The only problem with a sim is the engine are perfectly tune.
You might run into all kinds of problems with an engine. Screws coming loose...etc.
On a scale model you're not going to have easy access to the engine.
If you have experince. You might take extra measures to insure the engine will remain firmly mounted.
even so..you'll still have to take it apart. But having experince..you 'll do it faster and correctly.
An in cowl engine will also run hotter even if it's properly evented. Another issue to contend with..that a noobie might not be familar with.

The sweet silver looking on the ground mustange is pain in the butt to keep track of in the sky.
Your eyes adjusting focus to a flat PC monitor a foot away from you is quit dfferent than in real life.
I had headaches when I first started flying becuase my eyes were being strain from having to focus on a small flying object.
The more my eyes get tire , the more mistakes I'll make. I could only fly for 5 mins than hand the TX to my instructor, at first.

I suggest getting a duraplane...maybe even the aerobat. it's going to be a BRICK at the very least.
Just slap a flame job on it so it don't look too cheesy. I actaully like cheesy ugly beat up models.
They have those war scars look to them becuase I fly the hell of off them and crash the hell out of them too
They get more flight time and toss around more than my hanger queen mustange. I'm too afraid to fly my mustange...she's too purdy.

Anyway, if you ever had a cheesy trainer at wot making a straight path over the run way 20" off the deck for the first time in real life ...it's pretty damn scary.lol