You will never go wrong picking up a T-28 as a first beater warbird.

I went with the Hobbyzone Corsair S for my first warbird, well, first larger warbird. I had the UMX Corsair and UMX P-51 for a year prior to getting the Corsair S. I was used to SAFE with my Apprentice and thought it would be good on a low wing warbird as well. Turns out the plane is incredibly stable and easy to fly. I had SAFE turned off after a few flights. The Corsair S is a reboot of the Parkzone Corsair (the early one without retracts, flaps, and drop tanks). You surely can't go wrong with a T-28. I just wanted a Corsair and the Corsair S was the best way for me to not only get a warbird trainer but a plane I could keep for a very long time. I just love the way a Corsair looks in the air and I enjoy how easy and relaxing it is to fly. The Corsair S has been discontinued, but you might be able to find one used.

I wonder how the new E-Flite AT-6 would be as a trainer? I haven't flown any of the newer 1.2m E-Flite warbirds to compare how they are to fly. I have the 44" E-Flite P-47 and it is one I don't find nearly as stable or as relaxing to fly. With two crashes on the airframe, it also has the most crashes out of anything in my hanger. I have had issues with downwind stalls when turning base to land. Low speed, low altitude, and she stalled and went in. That one needs way more speed than what I was used to at the time.

You could do the 1200mm eflite T28 as well. Eflite airframes are great flying birds. My late friend had the little T28 little compared to my Carbonz I mean. And he loved it, flew great!

Thank you for the responses. I was looking through the reviews and read that I will need to have a 7 channel radio to give SAFE it's on separate switch. That's unfortunate since I do plan for my sons to fly the plane. Any suggestions?

I flew the Apprentice S15e, Sport Cub S, and Corsair S on my DX5e. All had SAFE and worked with a 5 channel transmitter. Of course, none had retracts or flaps to need extra channels. I have been flying with my DX6 and have SAFE programmed for my Corsair, Archer, and PBY. I haven't messed with SAFE select yet, but have it on a few of my planes. E-Flite did add SAFE select to the 1.2m P-51. I am not sure if that would be my first choice for a first warbird. Another option might be the re-release of the Wildcat. Lots of people love the Wildcat. Not sure if it has SAFE select or not as I haven't looked at the specs in awhile.

More functions means more channels.

basic 4 flight controls (rudder, elevator, throttle, ailerons) + SAFE = 5 channels needed
Add retracts and you need another channel
Add flaps for another channel

7 channels

Then its easy to want (or need) mixing functions that split the ailerons to one channel per side (now 8 channels) and other options, which will add even more channels...

You can fly on just 5 channels for a long time. I never used more than 5 channels for the first 25 years I flew RC models. You just limit what you can do.

With mechanical retracts or air retracts you can rig a system to operate them as a secondary effect of a primary channel using a mechanical linkage. (or a combination of 2 channels having to be in a certain range at the same time to actuate the retracts) This is more trouble than its worth when you can get a good 7 to 9 channel radio so cheaply today.

The way electronic retracts work now, you can put flaps and retracts on the same channel. The retracts will be up with flaps all the way up and down with flap all the way down. There is some mid value of flaps where the retracts will go up as you raise flaps and another point where they will go down as you lower flaps. (if you dont need to reverse the flaps or retracts to make it work right)
This one is actually practical to use for saving a channel to use for something else.

When I started the cost of a 5 channel digital proportional AM radio was higher than the cost of a decent used car... We worked hard to get the most capability out of the minimum number of channels.

I know the Dynam P47 and Dynam FW 190 are a good first warbird. Rifleman OT are right. You can't go wrong with a T28. I've flown a friend of mines T28 and its a real easy fling plane.

The Dynam P-47 was what I used to get into warbirds. It is in-expensive and it can take a beating... I know. I put mine through hell and she is still part of my fleet.

Bob

Thank you everyone for your advice and input. I will probably purchase the elite thunder bolt and up grade to a 8 channel transmitter for future graduations.

If you're gonna do that, I would go ahead and get the dx9. I think you would really be happy with that one.

If you're already comfortable with flying high-wings, my advice is DO NOT fly a warbird with SAFE enabled. You'll get the feel for the warbirds quickly. The 1.1m EFlite P-51D Dallas Doll and P47D were amazingly stable warbirds, and very forgiving. The 1.2m Mustangs and T'bolts probably are, too, but I have not personally flown them. Honestly, the flying part of warbirds is pretty easy. You just have to keep your speed a little higher and be aware of tip stalls (high and low speed). The hardest part of flying warbirds is learning the proper techniques for take off and landing. SAFE would actually help here, but you wouldn't be learning anything. Better than flying a SAFE-enabled warbird would be to get one with stabilization and have a buddy who's proficient with warbirds to stand next to you for the first few flights, giving you advice as you need it.

+1. The best money spent in this hobby is to buy the absolute best transmitter that you can afford. When I outgrew my DX6, I hopped to a DX9 and have never regretted it. With the warbirds coming with all the bells and whistles, you're going to want more channels. Being able to run dual ailerons, or dual rudders (for twin tails), or differential thrust (for multi-engine) is a great advantage, and you'll run out of channels more quickly than you think.

Thank you for all the advice and recommendations. The P51 has always been my favorite American Warbird. I rode in one back in the 80s after a annual maintenance had been pulled. The jump seat was low and cramped. The flight was wonderful.

I agree. I had a DX6i for years and then decided on a DX6e.....well within two weeks I decided I needed audible voice and bought a DX6. Now I have a DX6e packed away that I have used maybe 4 or 5 times. My next will be a DX8 or 9. That should cover everything I ever need to do.

Remember that with a mustang in the beginning, until you get the feel of how tight you can turn at various speeds, to keep the turns wide and fast and give plenty of run out for landing, keep the nose level and use throttle to vary your sink rate. Do not flare until you're wheels are about the hight between 1-2 strut lengths off the runway. Then flare and cut power. Take offs are done by easing into it and applying rudder as needed, as you taxi remember full up elevator til you're in takeoff position. Throttle up nice and smooth and relax the elevator to let the tail come up and ride it up to lift off. And as stated rudder as needed to keep her tracking strait away. This is how I fly, so I hope it helps you as well!

Very good advice Rifleman!