I used to tout the mini Scout as a good newb trainer because it was the first foam board plane I actually got to fly. I've since changed my tune a bit. It's not a bad option, but probably not ideal(it's a decent little plane and will work though, you seem to be doing well so far). The mini sized one is really finicky with CG and slop for one, plus there's the ever present debate on whether RET planes are really a good option to start a beginner on. I started on RET planes, and for quite a while, only flew AET and elevon planes in a sim. I was used to the idiosyncrasies of RET, but intimidated to design, build, or fly planes that were AET or elevons for longer than I should have been. That being said, when I made a real effort, the transition went quick and I got a good feel for ailerons and elevons fast, but I let myself sit in a "RET rut" for longer than necessary.
Fly that mini Scout and learn as best you can. I personally like the DR1 and you seem interested in building it. The DR1 would make a great second RET plane that's more interesting and challenging than the Scout, but I'd say directly before, after, or concurrently with your DR1 build, you should already be looking at a plane with ailerons or elevons. That could be a war bird, a wing, a delta, or as many people recommend, a Tiny Trainer! As long as you stick to something pretty basic to build and fly, it will be an easy transition, you just have to get used to having full roll control, and your plane responding more in real-time to your exact throws and movements than those RET snap turns augmented by dihedral auto-leveling.
