I flew a high wing trainer for a few months 20 years ago and stopped flying after I wrecked it (decided I couldn't afford the hobby). About 2 years ago I got back into the hobby and started off with the Mustang PTS (original version) because I too love warbirds. I think its a fantastic plane to train on and I can't recommend it enough. The ability to turn it into a sport plane slowly by taking off the training aids as you get more confidence/skill is a great feature and really keeps the plane fun. I know a lot of people who start with a high wing trainer quickly get bored with it.

An instructor is a must. My instructor maidened it and did the first several take offs and landings for me. I learned to use the rudder on take off to counteract the tendency for it to pull to the left (due to motor torque?) but you don't have to use the rudder in the air until you want to start experimenting with its effects or start doing knife-edges and such. The flaps are also alot of fun to experiment with and most/many trainers don't have flaps.

I am now flying planes like the H9 P40 Warhawk and Great Planes combat planes (for fun and in combat events). I've got a Seagull Edge 540 that I'm about to start assembling to try my hand at more advanced acrobatics and I just made deal on a used Sundowner 50 today that I'm really excited about. [8D]

I sold the Mustang about a year ago but wish I had kept it because it was such a good, tough, reliable plane. Now I'm eyeing that new H9 P51 Mustang .60 that's supposed to be released in June though