Overview
The E-flite® Carbon-Z® Cub SS 2.1m is a revolutionary giant-scale electric RC aircraft that makes enjoying a truly unique and versatile flying experience easier than ever before. This updated and refined version of the ground-breaking original Carbon-Z Cub platform combines legendary versatility with an abundance of new convenience, capability and flight performance-improving features. Whether you're a seasoned RC aircraft enthusiast or discovering the world of large-scale electric flight for the first time, this 2.1-metre wingspan ready-to-fly RC plane delivers exceptional value and performance that will exceed your expectations.
Based on a platform renowned for its incredibly versatile flight characteristics, the Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m is equipped with a composite-reinforced, hollow-core airframe that arrives mostly factory-finished and assembled, making it the ideal choice for pilots who want to enjoy giant-scale flying without extensive build time. With its Bind-N-Fly Basic configuration, this brushless RC aircraft is ready for action once you bind it to a compatible Spektrum transmitter—making it one of the best ready-to-run RC aeroplanes available in the UK market today. The aircraft's wide flight envelope makes it suitable for everyone from first-time giant-scale flyers to experienced pilots seeking a genuinely capable, multi-purpose platform.
The E-flite Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m represents the pinnacle of large-scale electric RC aeroplane design, combining robust engineering with practical features that make field assembly, battery access and maintenance straightforward. Its updated wing design with drooped wingtips significantly improves slow-speed handling whilst the modified flap design enables full-span aileron mixing and advanced control options. Whether you're interested in smooth, scale-like flying or tackling beyond-scale aerobatics, this giant-scale RC aircraft delivers the performance, versatility and reliability that discerning RC pilots demand.
Key Features
- Giant-Scale 2.1m Wingspan — The impressive 84.6-inch (2149mm) wingspan delivers a true giant-scale flying experience, yet the composite-reinforced, hollow-core Carbon-Z construction keeps the aircraft lightweight and incredibly durable, making transport and storage practical despite the large size.
- Drooped Wingtip Design — The updated wing geometry with drooped wingtips markedly increases both wing area and aileron area, delivering significantly improved slow-speed performance and control authority that makes this aircraft genuinely easy to fly across an exceptionally wide flight envelope.
- Modified Flap Design with Dual-Travel — The flaps can travel both upwards and downwards, enabling full-span aileron capability and opening up advanced mixing options that unlock the aircraft's true versatility for both scale and aerobatic flying.
- Tool-Free Field Assembly — The two-piece wing design features thumb-screws with decorative gas caps and snap-on antennas, meaning you can assemble or disassemble the aircraft in the field without requiring any tools, saving time and frustration at the flying field.
- Articulated Shock-Absorbing Landing Gear — The strengthened and improved main gear mounts work together with articulated suspension to absorb impacts effectively, whilst the oversized tundra-style wheels with softer tyres provide superior ground handling on rough, unprepared strips and challenging terrain.
- Fully-Moulded Gear Covers — The top and bottom landing gear covers are fully moulded for a more scale-like appearance, enhancing the aircraft's authentic Cub aesthetic whilst protecting the gear mechanisms from damage.
- Quick-Release Battery Tray — The clever multi-position battery mounting tray fits 4S through 6S LiPo packs ranging from 3200 to 7000mAh, and the push-button released, top-mounted hatch provides convenient and rapid battery access without any fiddling or frustration.
- Improved Motor Design with Extra Bearing — The updated BL50 brushless outrunner motor features an additional bearing that delivers smoother, quieter and more reliable power delivery with reduced vibration during flight.
- 15x7E Propeller — The propeller is moulded from advanced material that maintains superior balance and stiffness throughout the aircraft's operational envelope, ensuring consistent performance and reliability.
- IC5 Connector with EC5 Compatibility — The 60-amp brushless ESC features the modern IC5 connector (also compatible with EC5 connectors) that provides better, more reliable power delivery compared to older connector standards.
- AS3X Stabilisation Technology — The exclusive AS3X (Artificial Stabilisation–3-aXis) technology works behind the scenes to smooth out wind and turbulence effects, delivering unmatched stability and a locked-in feel that makes you feel like you're flying a much larger, expertly-tuned aircraft.
- SAFE Select Flight Envelope Protection — The optional-use SAFE® Select system (built into the Spektrum receiver) provides pitch and bank angle limits, automatic self-levelling and easy switch assignment, offering an extra margin of safety for first-time giant-scale pilots without requiring complex programming.
- Spektrum 2.4GHz DSMX Receiver — The included AR637T 6-channel receiver offers full-range Spektrum DSMX® and DSM2® compatibility, ensuring interference-free operation and seamless integration with your existing Spektrum transmitter system.
- Six Factory-Installed Digital Metal-Geared Servos — All servos arrive pre-installed with ball-link equipped linkages that deliver crisp, precise and responsive control throughout the aircraft's flight envelope.
- Aerotow Capability — The included aerotow mechanism allows you to tow sailplanes up to 3 metres in span (servo sold separately), opening up an entirely new dimension of flying possibilities and adding genuine versatility.
- Optional Float Capability — An optional float set (sold separately) with functional water rudder and improved mounting struts enables water takeoffs and landings, and you can switch between floats and wheels in minutes.
- Vibrant Carbon Cub SS Signature Colours — The aircraft arrives finished in distinctive white, orange, black and grey trim that delivers high visibility in the air and celebrates the authentic Carbon Cub heritage.
Technical Performance
The E-flite Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m combines sophisticated engineering with practical robustness that makes it one of the finest large-scale electric RC aeroplanes available. The airframe utilises composite-reinforced, hollow-core Carbon-Z construction that delivers an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio—the wing area measures 1130 square inches (72.9 square decimetres) with wing loading between 16.6 and 19.3 ounces per square foot (50.7–59.0 grams per square decimetre), enabling both slow-speed scale flying and spirited aerobatic performance. The BL50 brushless outrunner motor pairs with the 60-amp brushless ESC to deliver smooth, reliable power delivery across the aircraft's operational envelope, whilst the improved bearing design reduces vibration and increases reliability. The aircraft is compatible with 4S, 5S and 6S LiPo batteries ranging from 3200 to 7000mAh (4S at 14.8V through 6S at 22.2V), with 6S recommended for water takeoff operations. With the included 15x7E propeller, the aircraft achieves a top speed of approximately 50 mph (80 km/h), yet the modified Clark-Y airfoil and drooped wingtips enable genuinely docile slow-speed handling that makes this aircraft accessible to first-time giant-scale pilots. The six factory-installed digital metal-geared servos ensure crisp control response, whilst the steerable tailwheel and fixed main landing gear provide stable ground handling. Approximate flight time ranges from 4 to 10 minutes depending on flying style and battery capacity, and assembly time is less than one hour. The aircraft's centre of gravity is set at 4.1 to 4.7 inches (105–120mm) from the leading edge of the wing at the fuselage.
What's in the Box
- E-flite Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m airframe (mostly factory-assembled and finished)
- 60A Brushless ESC with IC5 connector (pre-installed)
- BL50 Brushless Outrunner Motor (pre-installed)
- Six Digital Metal-Geared Servos (pre-installed with ball-link equipped linkages)
- Spektrum AR637T DSMX 6-Channel Receiver with AS3X and SAFE Select telemetry capability (pre-installed)
- Product Manual with comprehensive assembly and setup instructions
- 15x7E Propeller (pre-installed)
- Aerotow mechanism for towing sailplanes
What You Need to Complete
- Full-range 6+ channel Spektrum DSMX®/DSM2® compatible transmitter (sold separately)
- 4S to 6S LiPo battery pack (3200–7000mAh) with EC5™ or IC5™ connector—6S recommended for water operations (sold separately)
- Compatible LiPo battery charger (sold separately)
- Optional: Servo for aerotow operation (if you plan to tow sailplanes)
- Optional: Float set with water rudder and revised mounting struts for water operations (sold separately)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the E-flite Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m suitable for first-time giant-scale RC aircraft pilots? — Yes, absolutely. Whilst the product manual lists it as Skill Level 3, the aircraft's forgiving flight characteristics, combined with optional SAFE Select flight envelope protection, make it exceptionally approachable for experienced RC pilots stepping into giant-scale flying for the first time. The wide flight envelope, drooped wingtip design and slow-speed handling capability mean the aircraft remains controllable even in less-than-ideal conditions, and the automatic self-levelling feature of SAFE Select provides an additional safety margin whilst you familiarise yourself with large-scale flying characteristics.
- What battery does the E-flite Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m need? — The aircraft is compatible with 4S, 5S and 6S LiPo batteries ranging from 3200 to 7000mAh capacity. A 4S 14.8V battery provides entry-level performance, whilst 5S and 6S batteries (22.2V) deliver enhanced power and performance. If you plan water takeoff operations, a 6S LiPo is specifically recommended for reliable water operations. All batteries must feature either EC5™ or IC5™ connectors to match the aircraft's ESC.
- How long does assembly take, and is it difficult? — Assembly time is less than one hour. The airframe arrives mostly factory-finished and assembled, with all internal components (motor, ESC, servos and receiver) pre-installed and tested. The primary assembly task involves connecting the two-piece wing using tool-free thumb-screws, making field assembly straightforward and requiring no specialised skills or equipment.
- What transmitter do I need to fly this aircraft? — You require any full-range 6+ channel Spektrum DSMX® or DSM2® compatible transmitter. The aircraft's included AR637T receiver is fully compatible with the entire Spektrum 2.4GHz range, and binding the receiver to your transmitter is a straightforward procedure detailed in the product manual.
- How does AS3X technology improve flight performance? — AS3X (Artificial Stabilisation–3-aXis) technology continuously monitors the aircraft's pitch, roll and yaw axes and makes minute automatic corrections to smooth out the effects of wind gusts and turbulence. The result is a remarkable sense of stability and locked-in feel that makes the aircraft feel more stable and responsive than its size would suggest, enhancing both precision flying and enjoyment.
- Can I use SAFE Select, or is it mandatory? — SAFE Select is entirely optional and disabled by default. If you wish to enable it, you simply follow a simple binding sequence procedure detailed in the manual—no complex programming is required. Once enabled, SAFE Select provides pitch and bank angle limits plus automatic self-levelling, offering extra safety margins. If you prefer to disable it, simply bind the receiver normally and the aircraft functions as a standard AS3X-equipped receiver.
- What is the difference between this aircraft and the original Carbon-Z Cub? — The Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m is an updated and refined version featuring several significant improvements: drooped wingtips for improved slow-speed handling, modified flaps enabling full-span aileron mixing, improved articulated landing gear with larger tundra-style wheels, a quick-release battery tray for convenient battery access, an improved motor design with an additional bearing, modern IC5/EC5 connectors on the ESC, and the inclusion of both AS3X and optional SAFE Select technology. These enhancements deliver noticeably better flight performance, handling, convenience and reliability compared to the original platform.
- Can I use this aircraft for aerobatics? — Yes. Despite its gentle, scale-like flying characteristics, the Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m boasts an extremely wide flight envelope that extends from smooth, stable slow flight through to beyond-scale vertical takeoffs and aerobatic manoeuvres. The modified flap design that enables full-span aileron mixing, combined with the aircraft's responsive control system, opens up genuine aerobatic capability for pilots seeking to explore this aspect of the aircraft's performance.
- What is the flight time? — Approximate flight time ranges from 4 to 10 minutes, depending primarily on your flying style, battery capacity and the specific battery voltage you select. Scale flying with a larger capacity 6S battery will generally produce longer flight times (closer to 10 minutes), whilst spirited flying and aerobatics will reduce flight time towards the 4-minute end of the spectrum.
- Can I operate this aircraft from water? — Yes. An optional float set (sold separately) with functional water rudder and improved mounting struts enables water operations. For water takeoff and landing, a 6S LiPo battery is specifically recommended to ensure sufficient power and reliability. The revised mounting design provides secure attachment and you can switch between floats and wheels in minutes, making multi-environment operation practical.
- What is the top speed? — The aircraft achieves a top speed of approximately 50 mph (80 km/h) with the included 15x7E propeller. This speed is perfectly suited to the aircraft's handling characteristics and flight envelope, though the aircraft's true strengths lie in its slow-speed handling, scale flying capability and genteel performance characteristics rather than outright speed.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the E-flite Carbon-Z Cub SS 2.1m BNF Basic with AS3X and SAFE Select A-EFL124500 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
