Yep you will get two schools of thought on this one.
If you strip ALL of the extra stuff off they are OK flyers. Not self righting as previously mentioned. And complicated to repair. AS MENTIONED BEFORE you will crash. Thats why trash bags are standard equipment
Look up at the top of this forum for trainer recomendations. Almost any cheap basic 40 size trainer will do well. Smaller can be a little hard to see at times. (you may be able to see it fine but the instructor needs to be able to see it too. My favorite is the Sig LT 40 with an os .46 engine. If you show up with the Sig LT 40 as oppossed to the p51 you'll get more smiles from the instructors, seriously. I would NOT buy any radio gear until I knew what is compatible to the instructor's. GOOD LUCK