If you are into scratchbuilding, and want to do it dirt cheap, and want a plane you can beat up and don't mind being a little unconventional, cheack out http://www.spadtothebone.com
But I can tell you they certianly won't win any beauty contests...at least the trainer wont...but you can have a blast, and get real good at flying before putting a lot of money and time into something else...that you will then have the confidence to fly!