FMS 1400mm A6M Zero - discontinued?

[wvrailfan]

I have several FMS planes and in general have been very pleased with them. I also like that MRC was a FMS seller and purchased FMS planes and parts from MRC often. I think Horizon taking over U S distribution of FMS has not helped FMS as they likely thought it would. They should have stuck with MRC being their primary U S seller. I think Motion gave FMS much better credibility than they had prior to their relationship with MRC.

All that said, I also hope MRC will maintain a relationship with FMS.

[Boots Whirlygig]

I happened to look on Amazon and see they have the Green A6M in stock. I know Alpha stated that Japanese WWII Warbirds are notoriously poor sellers, but a properly done Zero will always sell IMO.

[qmmo44]

This plane is available on FMS website. Horizon Hobby has mid November for the next shipment. I ordered one from HH. I'll wait an see what happens.

[DonRhone]

Can anyone confirm if this plane has been discontinued? Multiple major hobby retailers are showing it is. I have always wanted one of these large zeros. I have seen the 1100mm but am not a fan of sub 1200mm planes.

I would pick up a 1400mm but am concerned about parts support if they are discontinued.

Makes me wonder if maybe they are updating the larger version?

I contacted FMS about the 1400 Zero and am informed that it is the Grey colored Zero that has been discontinued, Green one still being produced.

[Alpha]

Get it, you'll love how it flies! Ground handling isn't the best, but I never miss a chance to sing the praises of how the FMS 1.4m Zero flies through the air with the greatest of ease.

[qmmo44]

Received it this morning.

[qmmo44]

Put it together today. I'm using the Admiral DSMX compatible receiver with stability gyro and recovery mode. I like this receiver a lot. When paired up with an iX12 I have an easy time setting things up and it is quiet. I've used this receiver in several planes and can't really find anything terribly wrong with it.

[bobtheman]

I can't find Ryan's video on the gear mod on youtube or MRC anybody know if it can be found?

[farmflyer]

I can't find Ryan's video on the gear mod on youtube or MRC anybody know if it can be found?

I think the video is gone but he used a dremel to grind out the retract pocket and a little foam on the rear top half of the pocket then shimmed under the back screws of the retract to rake the gear forward a little.

[bobtheman]

Thank you farmflyer...Is Ryan no longer with MRC?

[farmflyer]

No they are doing their own thing now.

[bobtheman]

Does anyone know if the main gear on the FMS 1400mm P40b will fit on th Zero?

[xviper]

You should probably look at retracts from some other FMS 1400mm warbird. They should all be similar hole spacing. The P-40 has retracts that rotate the struts as they deploy/retract. They have the side plates that catch the rotation pin on the strut. You could always Dremel them off. The Zero is a straight forward deployment.

[bobtheman]

thanks. maybe the V4 T-28

[xviper]

Not familiar with the V4 T28. Is it a 1400mm size plane? Retracts are usually made to support a certain weight and size range of plane. What you need to do to be sure of a good fit is to measure the hole spacing of your retracts and then ask someone who has another plane of the similar size to measure the hole spacing of their retracts, then buy that one from the spare parts list. Measure in mm of hole centers on one side, then the spacing of the holes from one side to the other.
I'm sure there are several warbirds in the 1400mm size (still in production) that the retracts deploy in a similar manner - ie, fold IN towards the fuselage.

[bobtheman]

thanks again for the information, I will lookinto the 1400 birds

[MrSmoothie]

One thing to keep in mind with many of the FMS parts -- if out of stock in the US, check www.AliExpress.com -- many times the part will be available direct from China. Even with postage, the price is usually about the same. Only downside is the 2-4 weeks to get the package (customs is unpredictable and often the delay). I've had very good luck with this website and their various venders.

[bobtheman]

Thanks for the info