FT without breaking a tiny piggy bank...

I'm aiming to start a FT campaign in Grand Rapids, MI (USA) after
January.  
Right now I'm recruiting players and running demos at the local game
store in 
order to generate interest.  Right now I have 5 players committed and 
enthusiastic about running games.  '

That's the background, now my point:
One of my players is broke, or very nearly so.	So what is the most
economical 
way for him to obtain his own fleet?  

He's considering buying modeling tools to scratch-build his own, and he 
probably has enough time  Yet should his efforts not pan out in time for
the 
campaign, I'd like to ask the group it's input on a quick and
cheap-to-buy 
fleet to use as a stop-gap for the game.

He'll be welcome to use my models as I'll be running the campaign and as
an 
absolute last resort we'll print out cardstock counters he can place on
the 
table.	Of course, miniatures are preferred.

-- 
--Flak Magnet
It's later than you think.