RE: E flite Apprentice vs Hangar 9 Alpha...
I would also strongly encourage you to shop places like craigslist, I have found a LOT of good deals on there, and if you are patient and look around you can find lots of stuff. of my 6 planes and 6 engines, I have only bought 1 new plane and 1 new engine, the rest are all used and or loaned to me. Most clubs have people that love to help other people out, just ask if people have anything that they want to get rid of.
Jon