I think you are likely to suffer in the static score. At one point I was flying a Top Flite "Gold Edition" P-40 and got low static scores. On the other hand, it flew very well. The Gold Edition models were better in terms of scale outline than the "Red Box" series. The wood in an old kit might be in pretty nasty shape too. Finding a kit these days is problematic. If you come across anything from Brian Taylor plans, it will be very accurate in outline. I have been flying his Typhoon with considerable success. Too bad Traplet just closed it's doors. Skyshark is open again. I have converted their Val. It flies very well. Probably because of the airfoil which is too thick. Other than that, the only major scale deviation I found was that the nose had been extended.
Good luck,
Chuck Snyder