RE: E flite Apprentice vs Hangar 9 Alpha...
What happened to all of the gear from the Alpha that you crashed? You should have been able to salvage the engine and radio. Most 40 sized trainer ARF's are less than $150, and a lot of them are less than $100.
If you already have the field equipment for a glow plane, I would go that way. You'll get more air time with a glow trainer than electric.
Good luck