Not really.

The batteries can sit where the fuel tank normally goes.

If you use one of these, mounting the motor is trivial:

[link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLCL4&P=ML]Click me![/link]

A bit of soldering will be required, and some skillful moving around of components to get the C.G. right.... otherwise it is pretty easy assuming you take off the wings to replace or arm the packs.

Still a glow configuration is cheaper to start with, even if he already has the battery packs.