Overview
The E-flite Viper 90mm ARF Plus Electric Jet represents a significant milestone in the world of large-scale RC jets available in the UK. Scaled up from the hugely popular 70mm version, this impressive model delivers smooth handling combined with incredible speed and performance that make it the perfect choice for both low-time and experienced jet pilots. Whether you're new to electric ducted fan (EDF) jets or you're a seasoned RC enthusiast looking for the next step up, the Viper 90mm offers an unmatched flying experience that bridges the gap between sport aeroplane handling and authentic jet performance.
What truly sets this model apart is how E-flite has engineered it to be the smartest, best-handling and easiest-to-fly large-scale Viper EDF jet yet. The ARF Plus completion level means you get a fully assembled airframe with eight factory-installed digital metal-geared servos, functional LED navigation and landing lights, working flaps, nose gear door, and reliable electric retracts already fitted. This significantly reduces assembly time and complexity, allowing you to focus on installing your chosen 90mm EDF power system and radio gear before taking to the skies. For UK RC pilots seeking a large-scale EDF jet that combines authentic jet aesthetics with the forgiving flight characteristics of a sport aeroplane, the Viper 90mm is an exceptional choice.
The composite-reinforced EPO airframe is factory-finished in an exclusive and highly visible trim scheme by Aircraft Studio Design, featuring striking white and red colours that make the model easy to track during flight. With dimensions of 1281mm length and 1400mm wingspan, this is a genuinely large-scale model that commands attention on the flying field. The engineering throughout is meticulous, featuring expertly optimised ducting without "cheater" holes, shock-absorbing trailing-link struts for reliable grass-field operation, and removable winglets plus plastic-capped nose and intake ducts for added durability during transport and flying.
Key Features
- ARF Plus Completion Level — The model arrives with eight factory-installed digital metal-geared servos with ball-link linkages and pinned hinges, plus all mechanical systems ready to connect to your receiver, meaning you spend less time assembling and more time flying.
- Functional LED Navigation and Landing Lights — These aren't just cosmetic additions; they provide practical illumination for dawn, dusk and low-light flying sessions, enhancing both safety and the authentic jet experience.
- Working Flaps — Factory-installed and factory-connected, the flaps provide genuine aerodynamic control that extends your flight envelope and allows for slower, more controlled landings on shorter fields.
- Nose Gear Door — A functional detail that adds realism while the door opens and closes with the retract operation, giving the model authentic fighter-jet aesthetics during takeoff and landing.
- Reliable Electric Retracts — With shock-absorbing, trailing-link struts on both nose and main gear featuring durable metal components, the retract system can handle grass fields and rough surfaces where traditional fixed-gear jets cannot.
- Wide-Spaced Main Gear and Steerable Nose Wheel — These features provide excellent ground handling and stability during takeoff rolls and landing approaches across various field surfaces.
- 90mm EDF Fan System — The 90mm ducted fan provides an enormous step-up in power and performance compared to smaller jet models, delivering turbine-like sound and authentic jet characteristics while maintaining smooth control throughout the speed range.
- Expertly Engineered Ducting — Without cheater holes, the ducting is optimised for maximum efficiency, ensuring your chosen power system delivers peak performance with minimal wasted energy.
- No-Glue Assembly Design — The two-piece wing features convenient V2 hands-free connections that bolt together, and all fuselage components fit together without adhesive, allowing you to be airborne in just 1-3 hours of assembly time.
- Removable and Replaceable Winglets — Along with plastic-capped nose and intake ducts, these components are designed to absorb impacts and be easily swapped out if damaged, protecting the core airframe.
- Large Top Hatch with Clear Canopy — Features detailed cockpit interior with a pilot figure, giving the model authentic fighter-jet appearance when viewed from above or during low-level passes.
- Lightweight Composite-Reinforced EPO Airframe — The material choice balances durability with weight efficiency, allowing the model to achieve impressive speed and vertical performance while remaining robust enough for repeated flying sessions.
- Wide Flight Envelope and Speed Range — The airframe design allows smooth flying from slower-than-expected landings and low-speed passes right through to 120+ MPH high-speed flybys, with excellent aerobatic capability including giant loops, rolls, endless knife edge flight, snaps and tumbles.
- Eight Digital Metal-Geared Servos — Pre-installed with ball-link linkages and pinned hinges, these high-quality servos deliver crisp and precise control at every speed and are powerful enough to handle the control surfaces reliably throughout aggressive aerobatic manoeuvres.
- Power System Flexibility — The ARF Plus version allows you to choose your own 90mm fan unit, motor and ESC combination, either selecting a directly compatible system or exploring alternative 6S to 12S power options suited to your flying style and performance preferences.
- Battery Compatibility — The model accommodates a wide range of 6S to 12S battery configurations, from a single 6S 4000-7000mAh pack to two 6S 3200-5000mAh batteries wired in parallel, giving you flexibility in runtime and performance tuning.
Technical Performance
The E-flite Viper 90mm EDF jet represents a quantum leap in large-scale electric jet technology. With a product length of 1281mm and wingspan of 1400mm, this is a genuinely substantial model that delivers authentic jet flight characteristics. The airframe weighs 2522 grams without battery, placing it firmly in the large-scale category where stability and control become critical. The eight factory-installed digital metal-geared servos provide the control authority needed across the entire speed range, from gentle sport flying to aggressive aerobatic manoeuvres at speeds exceeding 120 MPH.
Power compatibility spans from 6S 22.2V through to 12S 44.4V systems, with the recommended sweet spot being 6S 4000-7000mAh LiPo batteries that deliver impressive flight times whilst maintaining the performance envelope the model was engineered around. The expertly designed and optimised 90mm EDF ducting is engineered without cheater holes, meaning every cubic centimetre of airflow contributes to thrust generation and efficiency. This engineering investment translates directly to better speed, better climb performance and longer flight times compared to less optimised designs. The electric retract system features metal construction throughout with shock-absorbing trailing-link struts that not only protect the airframe during rough-field landings but also allow the model to operate from grass fields and unprepared surfaces where traditional fixed-gear jets struggle.
The material specification is composite-reinforced EPO, which provides the perfect balance between lightweight construction needed for speed and vertical performance, and durability required for repeated flights. The construction method—no-glue assembly with bolted connections on the two-piece wing—means the model can be fully assembled and ready to fly in just 1-3 hours, with the wing easily removed for convenient storage and transport. This is particularly valuable for UK RC pilots who may travel to different flying sites or who have limited storage space. The control surface design with pinned hinges and ball-link servo linkages ensures precise, responsive control without slop or delay, critical when flying a 2522-gram model at speeds approaching 120 MPH.
What's in the Box
- E-flite Viper 90mm EDF airframe with composite-reinforced EPO construction
- Eight digital metal-geared servos (factory-installed)
- Product manual with assembly and flying instructions
What You Need to Complete
- Full-range 6+ channel transmitter and receiver (sold separately) — must be Spektrum compatible or equivalent standard radio system
- Compatible 90mm fan unit, motor and ESC (sold separately) — the ARF Plus version allows you to select your own power system
- 6S 22.2V to 12S 44.4V 4000-7000mAh LiPo battery (sold separately) — alternatively two 6S 3200-5000mAh batteries in parallel for extended flight time, or in series configuration
- Compatible LiPo charger (sold separately) — must support the voltage and capacity of your chosen battery pack
- LiPo safe charging bag (sold separately) — essential for safe battery charging and storage
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the E-flite Viper 90mm suitable for first-time large-scale EDF jet pilots? — Yes, absolutely. E-flite specifically engineered this model as the best choice for a first large-scale EDF jet because it's easy to take off, fly and land. The smooth handling characteristics combined with wide flight envelope make it forgiving for pilots transitioning from smaller jets or conventional sport aircraft. The ARF Plus completion level also removes much of the mechanical complexity, allowing you to focus on flying rather than complex assembly.
- What battery does the Viper 90mm need and what flight time can I expect? — The model accepts 6S 22.2V to 12S 44.4V LiPo batteries in the range of 4000-7000mAh, or alternatively two 6S 3200-5000mAh batteries wired in parallel. The sweet spot for performance and flight time is a single 6S 4000-7000mAh battery. Flight time will vary based on your flying style, power system choice and battery capacity, but expect 8-12 minutes of active flying with sensible power management.
- What makes this model different from smaller EDF jets like the Viper 70mm? — The Viper 90mm is a scaled-up version of the popular 70mm model, meaning it's larger in every dimension (1281mm length, 1400mm wingspan) and heavier (2522g without battery), delivering substantially more speed and vertical performance. The larger 90mm EDF fan is significantly more powerful than the 70mm fan, capable of speeds exceeding 120 MPH and impressive vertical climbs. The larger airframe also provides better stability at high speeds and improved control response across a wider flight envelope.
- How long does the E-flite Viper 90mm take to assemble? — The ARF Plus completion level is designed for fast assembly with no glue required, typically taking just 1-3 hours from opening the box to being ready to fly. The two-piece wing features convenient V2 hands-free connections that bolt together, and all servos, retracts and lights come factory-installed and pre-connected, meaning your primary assembly tasks are installing the power system and radio receiver, plus connecting control linkages.
- Can I use this model for aerobatic flying? — Yes, the Viper 90mm has amazing aerobatic capability. The design delivers an incredibly wide flight envelope and speed range, allowing you to perform giant loops, rolls, endless knife edge flight, snaps, tumbles and other advanced manoeuvres almost effortlessly. The eight factory-installed digital servos with ball-link linkages provide the crisp control response needed for precision aerobatics.
- What radio system compatibility does this model require? — You need a full-range 6+ channel transmitter and receiver (sold separately). The ARF Plus version is compatible with standard Spektrum receivers and other major RC radio systems that support 6S to 12S powered aircraft. Make sure your chosen receiver has sufficient channels for: ailerons, elevator, rudder, throttle, landing gear retract, flaps, navigation lights and landing lights (8 functions total, so a 6-channel minimum with some functions doubled up, or ideally an 8-channel receiver).
- Is the Viper 90mm durable enough for rough field operation? — Yes. The composite-reinforced EPO airframe is extremely durable, and the shock-absorbing trailing-link struts on both nose and main gear are specifically designed to soak up the bumps of rough surfaces including grass fields. The removable winglets and plastic-capped nose and intake ducts are engineered to absorb impacts and can be easily replaced if damaged, protecting the core airframe structure.
- What power system should I choose for the ARF Plus version? — E-flite offers directly compatible 90mm fan unit, motor and ESC combinations that require no modification, making these the easiest option. The model also accepts other suitable 6S to 12S power systems, but you should verify compatibility with the 2522g airframe weight and ensure the ESC supports the chosen motor specifications. Popular options include brushless inrunner motors in the 3670-1950KV range with 130-amp Smart ESCs.
- How does the ARF Plus version differ from the BNF Basic version? — The ARF Plus version (A-EFL17770) allows you to select your own 90mm EDF power system (fan, motor and ESC), providing flexibility for pilots who already have compatible components or prefer specific brands. The BNF Basic version includes a factory-matched power system (12-blade 90mm fan, 6S brushless inrunner motor and 130-amp Avian Smart ESC) plus a factory-installed Spektrum AR637TA receiver with AS3X and SAFE Select technologies, making it ready to fly sooner but with less customisation options.
- Does the model have functional features beyond flying? — Yes. The LED navigation and landing lights are fully functional and can be wired to your receiver for independent control, the flaps are factory-installed and working for enhanced control authority, and the nose gear door operates with the electric retract system, opening and closing automatically during gear extension and retraction, adding authentic jet characteristics to every takeoff and landing.
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 Viper 90mm ARF Plus Electric Jet with Retracts, Flaps & LED Lights – A-EFL17770 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.
