Overview
The E-flite Decathlon RJG 1.2m PNP is a capable, convenient and exceptionally well-handling scale aerobatic model that brings professional performance to intermediate and advanced RC pilots. This is a replica of the iconic full-scale Decathlon aerobatic trainer that RJ Gritter flies in airshows across the United States, finished in an authentic red, white and blue trim scheme that captures the modernised design from the 2024 airshow season. The Decathlon is widely recognised in full-scale aviation as one of the best aerobatic trainers available, and this E-flite model successfully translates those qualities into the RC world, offering smooth sport flying capability right through to aggressive aerobatic manoeuvres.
If you're an experienced RC pilot looking for a quality brushless RC plane that can handle both gentle cruising and dynamic inverted flying, the Decathlon RJG 1.2m offers outstanding value and performance. The Plug-and-Play configuration means the motor, speed controller and servos arrive factory-installed and ready to connect—you simply add your own Spektrum receiver, transmitter and battery to get airborne. This is not a beginner's aircraft; it's designed for pilots with proven experience in assembling and flying similar scale models, and it rewards that expertise with precise control authority and genuine aerobatic capability.
The airframe is constructed from durable EPO foam and features integrated LED landing and navigation lights for added realism and visibility. Tool-free wing assembly with quick-release struts means you can remove the wing in minutes without any tools whatsoever, making transport and storage genuinely convenient for UK RC enthusiasts. Every detail has been considered, from the functional aluminium landing gear with wheel pants to the top-mounted battery hatch that provides easy access for battery changes between flights.
Key Features
- Scale Replica of RJ Gritter's Full-Scale Decathlon — This model is a faithful 1.2-metre representation of the actual aerobatic aircraft that RJ Gritter flies in airshows, featuring his custom red, white and blue trim scheme. The authentic design means you're flying a piece of real aerobatic history, which appeals to pilots who appreciate both the scale fidelity and the proven engineering of the full-scale platform.
- Plug-and-Play Power System with 3S/4S Compatibility — The factory-installed Spektrum brushless motor is specially tuned to work seamlessly with either 3S 11.1V or 4S 14.8V LiPo batteries without any modifications or component upgrades needed. This flexibility means you can choose your preferred battery capacity and performance profile, with 3S setups delivering strong thrust and 4S batteries providing additional speed and unlimited vertical performance.
- Spektrum Avian 45-Amp Smart Lite Brushless ESC — The integrated electronic speed controller provides real-time telemetry data including motor RPM, current draw, battery voltage and more, transmitted to compatible Spektrum receivers and AirWare-equipped transmitters. This intelligent feedback helps you monitor your power system during flight and troubleshoot any issues quickly. The ESC also supports optional motor and thrust reversing, opening up special ground handling capabilities.
- Four Digital Metal-Geared Servos with Ball-Link Linkages — All four servos are factory-installed and feature metal gears for durability and precision. The ball-link equipped control linkages provide accurate, responsive control inputs essential for aerobatic flying, ensuring that every control movement translates faithfully to the airframe.
- Integrated LED Landing and Navigation Lights — Functional red, white and blue LEDs are built into the airframe, enhancing visibility during flight and adding authentic scale details that make your flying experience more immersive. These aren't just cosmetic—they provide genuine safety benefits during low-light flying sessions.
- Tool-Free Wing Assembly with Quick-Release Struts — The one-piece wing connects via hands-free connections and thumbscrews that require no tools, whilst the wing struts snap in and out without fasteners of any kind. You can have the model fully assembled in less than an hour, or remove the wing for storage and transport in just a few minutes.
- Durable Aluminium Landing Gear with Wheel Pants — The robust aluminium gear provides excellent durability for repeated landings, whilst the wheel pants contribute to the scale appearance. This is proper gear designed for sustained use, not a delicate compromise.
- Convenient Top-Mounted Battery Hatch — Battery access is placed on top of the fuselage for intuitive and tool-free installation and removal, making battery swaps between flights quick and straightforward, which is essential when you're running multiple flights in a session.
Technical Performance
The Decathlon RJG 1.2m combines precision engineering with genuine aerobatic capability. The airframe spans 1212 mm (47.7 inches) and stretches 880 mm (34.64 inches) in length, making it a conveniently sized model that fits in most vehicles fully assembled yet still delivers the stability and control authority needed for reliable sport and aerobatic flying. The EPO foam construction balances durability with light weight, contributing to the 1106 grammes (39.0 ounces) empty weight—an excellent figure that ensures rapid response to control inputs without requiring excessive servo power. When equipped with a recommended 4S 2200mAh battery, the complete ready-to-fly weight is approximately 1326 grammes (46.7 ounces), still within the optimal weight range for crisp aerobatic performance.
The brushless power system represents the heart of the Decathlon's performance. The Spektrum brushless outrunner motor is factory-tuned and requires no component upgrades to work effectively across the entire 3S to 4S battery range, which is unusual and convenient. The 45-amp Spektrum Avian Smart Lite ESC is rated for continuous operation at that current level and includes the intelligence to monitor and report real-time power system parameters. Battery compatibility spans 3S 11.1V through 4S 14.8V chemistries, with recommended capacities of 2200–3200mAh for optimal flight characteristics. The EC3 and IC3 connectors ensure safe, secure connections to any compatible battery, and the Smart LiPo technology allows you to monitor cell voltage and state of charge throughout your flying session.
All four servos are high-specification digital units with metal gearing throughout, eliminating the plastic gears found in budget alternatives. Digital servos respond faster and hold position more accurately than analogue units, a crucial advantage when executing precise aerobatic manoeuvres. The ball-link equipped control linkages provide zero backlash, meaning every control input is translated directly to the control surfaces without any play or delay—essential for responsive aerobatic flying where split-second precision matters. The combination of digital servos and ball-links delivers the control authority you need for smooth sport flying and aggressive inverted manoeuvres alike.
What's in the Box
- E-flite Decathlon RJG 1.2m airframe with integrated LED lighting
- Spektrum brushless outrunner motor (factory-installed)
- Spektrum Avian 45-Amp Smart Lite brushless ESC (factory-installed)
- Four Spektrum digital, metal-geared servos with ball-link linkages (factory-installed)
- Comprehensive product manual
What You Need to Complete
- Full-range 4+ channel Spektrum-compatible transmitter and receiver (sold separately)
- 3S 11.1V or 4S 14.8V 2200–3200mAh LiPo battery with EC3 or IC3 connector (sold separately)
- Compatible LiPo battery charger with appropriate connector (sold separately)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the E-flite Decathlon RJG 1.2m suitable for beginners? — No, this is a Skill Level 3 model designed for more experienced RC pilots with proven assembly and flying skills. You should have successful experience flying similar class aircraft such as the E-flite T-28 Trojan 1.1m, Valiant 1.3m, or Turbo Timber Evolution 1.5m before attempting this model. The PNP version specifically requires you to install a receiver without factory-tuned AS3X and SAFE Select stability technologies, which demands additional expertise. This is not a suitable choice for low-time or intermediate pilots, nor is it appropriate as a next step after a trainer aircraft.
- What battery does the Decathlon RJG 1.2m require? — The model is compatible with either 3S 11.1V or 4S 14.8V LiPo batteries with capacities between 2200mAh and 3200mAh. The motor and ESC are factory-tuned to work with either voltage without any modifications—3S batteries deliver excellent thrust for sport flying, whilst 4S batteries provide additional speed and unlimited vertical performance for aggressive aerobatics. Both EC3 and IC3 connectors are supported, so you can use whichever connector type matches your battery and charger.
- How long does assembly take? — Approximate assembly time is less than one hour, which is exceptionally quick for a scale aerobatic model. Since the motor, ESC and servos are already factory-installed, you're primarily connecting the receiver, installing the battery hatch, and assembling the wing using the tool-free quick-release struts and thumbscrews. No glue is required for final assembly.
- What makes this PNP version different from the BNF Basic version? — The Plug-and-Play (PNP) version comes without a receiver, requiring you to install a Spektrum-compatible receiver of your choice. This means you have flexibility in choosing your receiver but must ensure proper tuning and setup yourself. The BNF Basic version includes a factory-installed AR631 receiver with pre-tuned AS3X stability augmentation and SAFE Select technology, which provides greater safety margins but less flexibility. The PNP version is for experienced pilots who prefer customisation and have the skills to optimise their specific receiver setup.
- What transmitter and receiver do I need? — You need a full-range 4+ channel Spektrum-compatible radio system. Suitable options include the Spektrum DXS, DX6e, DX6 G2/3, DX8 G2, DX9, NX6, NX7, iX12 and other Spektrum AirWare-equipped models. Your receiver must support IC3 or EC3 connectors to match your battery connections. The Spektrum Avian Smart Lite ESC can provide real-time telemetry data only through compatible receivers—check your receiver specifications if telemetry monitoring is important to you.
- Can I use this model for aerobatic flying? — Yes, absolutely. The Decathlon is specifically designed for both sport flying and aggressive aerobatics. The nearly symmetrical wing, inverted fuel and oil systems found on the full-scale aircraft, and the precise digital servo control make it fully capable of outside loops, inverted flight, and dynamic manoeuvres. However, you need the pilot skills to match the aircraft's capabilities—this is where the Skill Level 3 requirement comes in. The motor/thrust reversing feature supported by the Smart Lite ESC also adds special ground handling capabilities.
- What is the wingspan and how does it compare to other E-flite models? — The Decathlon RJG 1.2m has a wingspan of 1212mm (47.7 inches) and length of 880mm (34.64 inches), making it a conveniently sized model that remains portable whilst offering substantial wing area for stable aerobatic flight. This size sits between trainer models and larger scale aircraft, offering the best balance of performance, portability and handling characteristics.
- Is this model waterproof? — The Decathlon RJG 1.2m is not specifically rated as waterproof. Whilst EPO foam is water-resistant, the electronics including the motor, ESC and servos should be protected from water exposure. You should avoid water landings and ensure the model dries thoroughly if exposed to moisture before flying again.
- What is the empty weight and what does that mean for performance? — The model weighs 1106 grammes (39 ounces) without a battery, which is an excellent figure that contributes to responsive, snappy control characteristics. With a recommended 4S 2200mAh battery installed, the total weight reaches approximately 1326 grammes (46.7 ounces). This optimal weight-to-power ratio ensures that the brushless motor can provide genuine aerobatic capability without requiring excessive servo torque, resulting in crisp, predictable handling throughout the flight envelope.
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 Decathlon RJG 1.2m PNP 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.
