Best Giant-Scale RC Planes: Electric, Gas and Kit Picks

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Giant scale is where an RC plane stops fitting in the back seat. The wing is longer than most people are tall, the battery pack costs more thought than the whole first trainer, and a bad landing is a loud event. It is also where a lazy Cub circuit over a grass strip feels like a small piece of aviation history.

This page is built from manufacturer specs, manuals and product listings, checked in October 2026. It is not based on our own flying, so there are no "handles like a dream" verdicts. Flight times are the makers' claims, and anything that could not be verified was left out.

The stock check reshuffled the list. The Carbon-Z Cub SS that older roundups lead with has moved to backorder on a new SKU, the 15cc Carbon Cub is discontinued, and the Extreme Flight 78 in Extra is out of stock in every color at the maker. Those facts are in the sections below, next to the models that are actually buyable.

What Counts as Giant Scale Here

There is no legal definition, and makers use the label loosely. This guide treats roughly 78 inches of wingspan and up as large, and flags anything just under that line. The DRACO 2.0m Smart, at 77.7 in, is the one deliberate near-miss, included because Horizon sells it as a big-airplane experience on 4S to 6S power.

What changes at this size is not only the wingspan:

• Servos. Makers specify full-size metal-gear servos, often five or more, with a separate throttle servo on gas models.
• Power. Gas engines in the 10cc to 60cc range, or electric systems on 6S to 12S packs.
• Weight. Models on this page run from about 8.5 lbs to 64.81 lb, and the heaviest need a special AMA certification.
• Transport. Two-piece or three-piece wings with tubes and thumbscrews are not a luxury.

If you have never flown a large model, start smaller. The best RC trainer planes and best RC planes for beginners guides cover the stepping stones, and the ARF, RTF and PNP guide explains what each build level actually leaves for you to do.

Quick Picks by Situation

Gas or Electric: What the Makers Say

The same airframes often accept both, which makes the decision about the field and the support gear more than the airplane.

The electric versions at the top of the weight range move into 12S territory. The RC plane motors guide explains sizing and the LiPo battery guide covers pack choice, storage and charging. For the gas side, the gas engine guide covers sizes, fuel and break-in.

Electric Giants Built for a First Big Plane

E-flite Carbon-Z Cessna 150T 2.1m

This is the cleanest answer to the question of a big plane that arrives mostly built. Horizon calls it a perfect first giant-scale model or an everyday fun-to-fly large model, with a "mild to wild" flight envelope.

The 150T's headline change from the earlier Cessna 150 is the standard taildragger gear with oversized tundra-style tires and a steerable tailwheel, which Horizon says allows operation from rougher surfaces. The kit includes LED landing, navigation and strobe lights, a two-piece wing with thumbscrews, flaps, optional-use motor reversing with a 7+ channel transmitter, and optional float and tricycle-gear sets. The earlier Cessna 150 BNF and PNP versions are discontinued, and so is the 150T PNP, so the BNF Basic is the version to look for.

Search for the E-flite Carbon-Z Cessna 150T 2.1m on Amazon

E-flite Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m

The Carbon-Z Cub SS is still the Cub that many large-model pilots picture. The original BNF Basic and PNP listings (EFL12450 and EFL12475) are discontinued, but a Cub SS 2.1m BNF Basic is listed under a newer SKU, EFL124500, and it shows as backordered.

The construction is composite-reinforced, hollow-core "Carbon-Z", with drooped wing tips for slow-speed control, flaps that move both ways for full-span aileron mixing, shock-absorbing articulated gear and oversized tundra-style wheels. Horizon recommends 6S if taking off from water, and floats are sold separately. Horizon's spec table lists 4 to 10 minutes of flight time, so plan battery capacity accordingly.

Search for the E-flite Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m on Amazon

E-flite Carbon-Z T-28 Trojan 2.0m

For a warbird silhouette without the low-wing temper, the Trojan is the electric option. Horizon calls it a perfect first giant-scale or everyday fun-to-fly warbird. The BNF Basic is in stock while the PNP is out of stock, and the older Carbon-Z T-28 listing is discontinued.

• Wingspan 77.95 in (1980 mm), length 63.78 in (1620 mm), weight 166.8 oz (4729 g).
• 60BL 500Kv motor on 6S, 3200-7000mAh, with a 14.75x10 propeller.
• 70-amp Avian Smart Lite ESC, AR637TA receiver, seven factory-installed metal-geared servos.
• Operational electric retracts with strut covers and doors, steerable nosewheel, LED landing and navigation lights.
• Flaps, AS3X and optional SAFE Select.

It sits just under 78 in, so it is a near-giant by the line used here. For a deeper look at scale warbird flying habits, the WW2 scale warbird guide is the place to start.

Search for the E-flite Carbon-Z T-28 Trojan 2.0m on Amazon

E-flite DRACO 2.0m Smart

The DRACO is the aerobatic option in this group: 77.7 in of wingspan, a 53 in length, flaps, a 14.5x9 four-blade propeller, and 4S to 6S power. Horizon lists weight at 8.5 lbs without a battery and 10.0 lbs with a 6S 5000mAh 30C battery, and rates it Level 3 with AS3X and SAFE. The BNF Basic is in stock; the PNP and the Ultimate Combo are discontinued. For comparison, see the E-flite Extra 300 3D guide and the Yak 54 and Yak 55 guide.

Search for the E-flite DRACO 2.0m Smart on Amazon

Cubs in Wood: Hangar 9 J-3 and Valiant

Hangar 9 J-3 Cub 10cc, ARF and EP PNP

The wood J-3 Cub exists in two builds. The ARF (HAN5005) accepts a 10-11cc gas engine or an equivalent electric system and lists 20+ hours of assembly and Level 4. The EP PNP (HAN5175) arrives with the electronics and takes about 4 hours.

The PNP includes four metal-geared digital Spektrum servos, and assembly needs no glue or special tools. Floats, wheel pants and shorter 68.5 in "clipped" wings are sold separately. Both builds are in stock at the time of research, with one PNP listing variant on backorder.

Search for the Hangar 9 J-3 Cub 10cc EP PNP on Amazon

Hangar 9 Carbon Cub 15cc and Valiant 20cc

The 90 in Carbon Cub 15cc, a gas or electric ARF that older roundups still list, is discontinued per Horizon. The CubCrafters Carbon Cub FX-3 at 165.35 in is a different animal: 100-200cc gas, 64.81 lb, skill level 5, and on backorder.

For a large sport airplane in wood, the Valiant 20cc EP PNP (86.46 in) is a current Hangar 9 option, with a 5065-450Kv Avian motor, a 100-amp Smart ESC and six digital servos. It is on backorder, as is the 20cc ARF. The smaller Valiant 10cc (69 in) is in stock but falls below the 78 in line.

Warbirds and Scale ARFs

Hangar 9 P-51D Mustang 20cc

At 69.5 in this 1/6-scale Mustang sits below the 78 in line, but it is a heavy, complex model that behaves like a large one, with a weight of 11.5-13 lbs. Horizon rates it Level 4, so it is not a first warbird.

• Power it with 20-21cc gas or an electric Power 60 1800W setup with a 100A ESC and 6S 5000-7000mAh.
• Laser-cut balsa and plywood, satin printed covering, functional flaps and a two-piece plug-in wing.
• Fixed gear with 4-inch wheels, retract-ready for optional E-flite electric retracts.
• Two decal sets, "Geraldine" and "Sky Bouncer".
• The older HAN2820 listing is discontinued; the current one is HAN2820B, in stock.

Low-wing warbirds need respect on approach. Horizon lists the CG at 6 9/32 in (160 mm) behind the leading edge.

Search for the Hangar 9 P-51D Mustang 20cc on Amazon

Hangar 9 P-51D Mustang 60cc

The 89 in version is the one that shows up on a flightline. It has a three-piece plug-in wing with a center-section landing gear support, scale flaps, working gear and tailwheel doors, and a fiberglass chin cowl. Horizon lists a wing area of 1420 sq in, a wing loading of 40.6-43.8 oz/sq ft, an 8+ channel radio requirement and Level 4. It accepts E-flite P-51 giant-scale electric retracts, sold separately.

Seagull Giant P-47

Seagull's catalog lists the Giant P-47 (code SEA306N) at 81 in with a 55-60cc gas or electric option. Seagull gives the weight as 26.0 lbs, the length as 67.6 in, and the wing area as 1200.3 sq in. It uses Oracover film in two schemes, the P-47D "Dan'l Boone" and the P-47B "Wicked Wabbit", with LED navigation lights, rockets, a 1-1/2 in aluminum spinner hub, and electric main and tail retracts. Seagull's electric guidance is a 6000 watt motor with a 160A-200A ESC on 12S, and the maker lists 6 to 9 channels with 10 servos.

The Seagull site does not show stock status, so confirm availability with a seller.

Hangar 9 OV-10 Bronco 30cc

At 108 in with a 113 in length and a 40-42 lb flying weight, the Bronco is a scale project, not a sport plane. Horizon lists a 30cc gasoline engine for the gas version, 6 to 12S electric with a 100A ESC, a 12-channel radio, and Level 4. Features include functional four-panel flaps, a three-piece plug-in wing, a painted turret, guns, missiles and a centerline tank. The model is in stock. Horizon's 40-42 lb weight is under the 55 lb line that triggers AMA certification.

Sport and Aerobatic ARFs

Hangar 9 Ultra Stick 30cc

The Ultra Stick is the simplest "big plane" in the ARF group. Horizon lists an 80.75 in wingspan, a 74 in length, a 1360.3 sq in wing, and a wing loading of 22.02 oz/sq ft. Assembly is quoted at 10-15 hours, and Horizon rates it Level 4, which is higher than older roundups claimed.

• Power: 30cc gas, or electric with a Power 160 motor on 10S 4400mAh (both sold separately).
• UltraCote covering, tail dragger gear, fiberglass wheel pants and flaps.
• Two-piece plug-in wings with an aluminum tube.
• Float hard points for the Hangar 9 1/5-scale float set.
• Needs a 6-channel radio.

Search for the Hangar 9 Ultra Stick 30cc on Amazon

Extreme Flight 78" Extra 300 V3

The 78 in Extra is a competition-style airframe sold direct by the maker. All three color schemes show out of stock at Extreme Flight, so treat this as a model to watch rather than one to count on. The maker data sheet lists:

The V3 adds CNC aluminum wing and canopy latches, a carbon wing tube and stab tube, carbon landing gear, pre-hinged and gap-sealed surfaces and Du-Bro ball links. The maker's manual recommends medium CA on high-stress areas like servo trays, landing gear blocks and anti-rotation pins, and states it does not warrant against flutter, since servo selection and linkages are the owner's responsibility.

The Hangar 9 35% Extra 300 105 in that older roundups still mention has no complete listing at Horizon, and only Extra 300X 120cc parts appear. Treat any lead on one as a used-market search, not a store order.

A Builder's Kit: Balsa USA 1/4 Scale J-3 Piper Cub

Balsa USA lists its quarter-scale Cub (item 438) in stock. It is the one kit here, with jig and die-cut parts, a full-size plan and photo instruction book, pre-bent wire landing gear, an ABS cowl and a hardware package the maker puts at over 100 items.

What is not in the box matters as much: wheels, the control system, the fuel system, and two 5-meter rolls of covering. Balsa USA also sells a 1/4 Scale Electric Conversion Kit. For the workshop side, see the build from scratch guide. Covering is a skill of its own, covered in the covering guide.

Servos, Wiring and Lights

Makers set the servo count for you, so use their numbers rather than a general rule. Horizon fits six metal-geared servos in the Cessna 150T and seven in the T-28 Trojan, Extreme Flight specifies five full-size metal-gear servos plus a throttle servo, and Seagull lists 10 servos for the P-47 with a 6 to 9 channel radio. The servo guide goes through sizing and installation.

Lighting is a factory feature on several of the E-flite models above, and the RC plane lights guide covers adding it to ARFs. If jets are the long-term goal, see best RC jets and the F-22 Raptor page.

Rules That Come With Big Models

AMA. The AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code (effective January 1, 2018) says to fly models weighing more than 55 pounds, including fuel, only if certified through the Large Model Airplane Program. AMA describes that program as covering airplanes over 55 pounds and up to 125 pounds, with an inspection and a test flight in front of credentialed AMA members, after which the airplane can be flown at AMA chartered club sites and sanctioned events. The same code asks pilots to keep powered models at least 25 feet from people other than the pilot and helpers at the flightline, except for takeoff and landing, and to use a safety line to separate flying from spectators. Turbine-powered models fall under the AMA Gas Turbine Program.

Extreme Flight's manual goes further, recommending AMA membership for insurance and flying at AMA sanctioned fields only.

FAA. Anything weighing 250 grams (0.55 lbs) or more must be registered, and recreational flyers must take TRUST and carry proof. Flights stay within visual line of sight or with a visual observer next to the pilot, at or below 400 feet in uncontrolled Class G airspace. Since September 16, 2023, an aircraft that requires an FAA registration number must also broadcast Remote ID unless it is flown in an FAA-recognized identification area.

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