I really like the Apprentice as a trainer. Lots of power, flies very well upright or inverted, float flies well, tough, and parts are available and reasonably priced. I'd do the plug and play one, gens ace batteries and one of the 4 bank chargers and a dx6, 7 or 8.

Even if you go nitro/gas, there are still times when plug it in and fly is nice.

Save the ducted fan jets for later.