Official Nexa 1540mm D3A1 Aichi ARF Discussion Thread

[Aros]

D3A1 Aichi 1540mm (60.6") Wingspan - ARF from Nexa - NXA1059-001

The Imperial Japanese Navy's Aichi D3A Type 99 Carrier Bomber, commonly referred to as the "Val" by Allied forces, was an invaluable tool in World War II. Responsible for over a fifth of Allied vessel losses, it made its mark when it bombed Pearl Harbor and other U.S. bases in the Philippines such as Clark Air Force Base. Known for its superior dive-bombing accuracy, it remained a formidable force despite its obsolescence at the beginning of the war.

The Nexa D3A1 Aichi is a electric or gas option .46-size aerobatic airplane with a 1540mm wingspan, constructed primarily from balsa wood and covered with a fuel-resistant covering. This ARF requires assembly and installation of your choice of servos and power system. This model includes a fiberglass cowl, painted pilot, plastic machine gun and other scale details. The large battery hatch affords ample room for either electric or gas setups. Impress at your flying field with this iconic World War II axis warbird!

Fully Covered in Weathered Detail The Nexa D3A1 Aichi comes fully covered with an attractive white livery with weathered detail for a more scale appearance.

Scale Details Throughout Along with the fiberglass cowl, the "Val" has a painted cockpit and pilot, plastic machine gun and other scale details.

Pre-Hinged and Pre-Installed Hinges The battery tray is easily-accessible with ample room to add the battery you desire including any extra periphreal electronics.

Balsa and Lite-Ply Construction The Nexa D3A1 Aichi is manufactured with balsa and lite-ply construction for a durable yet lightweight airframe for better performance.

Features:

• Complete Balsa and lite-ply construction for rigidity and durability
• Covered from tip to tail in scale details including painted pilot, printed simulated panel lines and rivets
• Fiberglass cowling for strength and durability
• All control surfaces come out of the box pre-hinged and installed for convenience
• Large battery hatch allows for your chosen electric or gas setup

Includes:

• Nexa D3A1 Aichi 1540mm (60.6") Wingspan - ARF
• - Assembly instructions with stage photos
• Tail wheel assembly
• Fiberglass cowling
• Fiberglass painted pilot
• Plastic machine gun
• Fiberglass wheel cover
• Wheels
• Engine mounts
• Fuel tank
• Plywood wing joiner
• Decals and all hardware

Requires:

• 5 Channel radio - select a minimum 5 channel radio from our Radio Collection
• 5 Channel receiver - select a minimum 5 channel receiver from our Receiver Collection
• 670Kv or equivalent brushless outrunner motor - we recommend the Admiral GP7.5 5020-670Kv Brushless Motor
• 65 Amp brushless ESC - we recommend the ZTW Skyhawk 65A ESC with 8A SBEC
• 4x sub micro flap servos - we recommend FOUR Hitec HS-5065MG Ball Bearing Digital Metal Gear Sub-Micro Servo
• 2x micro aileron servos - we recommend TWO Hitec D85MG 32-Bit Metal Gear Micro Servo
• 2x standard elevator and rudder servos - we recommend TWO Hitec D-645MW High Voltage High Torque Digital Metal Gear Servo (if gas powered, a third one of these servos is necessary)
• 4 Cell 14.8V 4500 - 5000mAh LiPo Battery - we recommend the Admiral 4000mAh 4S 14.8V 40C LiPo Battery with XT60 Connector
• 2-blade electric propeller - we recommend the Admiral 13x10 Electric Series Wood Propeller
• 4 Cell compatible battery charger - select a minimum 4 cell (4S) charger from our Charger Collection

Gas Requires:

• .46 - .70 (7.45cc - 11.5cc) gas engine - we recommend the NGH GT9 Pro 9cc Two-Stroke Engine
• Standard 12x6 2-blade gas propeller - we recommend the APC 12x6 Gas Propeller

Customer Note
Nexa ARF models are constructed out of balsa wood and plywood. These are not foam models. The assembly of balsa wood ARF aircraft requires basic model building skills including the installation of servos, ESC, and motor (or gas engine). Product Specifications:

AGE LEVEL : 14 and up
SKILL LEVEL : Intermediate
BUILD TIME : 6+ hours

Model Scale	1/7.5
Wingspan	1540mm / 60.6in
Length	1120mm / 44.0in
Empty Weight	3300g / 116.4oz
CG (Center of Gravity)	100mm from the leading edge of the wing's root
Power System	670Kv or equivalent brushless outrunner motor for electric or .46 - .70 (7.45cc - 11.5cc) for gas (required)
Electronic Speed Control	65A (required)
Propeller / EDF	13x10 2-blade for electric or 12x6 2-blade for gas (required)
Servos	4x sub micro flap servos - HRC35065S 2x micro aileron servos - HRC36085S 2x standard elevator and rudder servos - HRC36645
Landing Gear	Fixed (included)
Required Battery	6 Cell 22.2V 4000 - 5000mAh LiPo Battery (required)
Required Radio	5+ Channel (required)
Ailerons	Yes
Elevator	Yes
Rudder	Yes
Flaps	Yes
Lights	No
Hinge Type	CA fabric
Material	Balsa and light plywood
Skill Level	Intermediate
Build Time	6+ Hours
Recommended Environment	Outdoors

[CF-105]

Better late than never! :)

FYI - the pics are not of the stock model. They’re of an example that someone has modded a bit. VQ seems to like doing that…

It’s a nice-flying model and “something different”. Plus it’s a warbird without expensive retracts! Mine is flying with an E-Flite Power 52, using a 3-blade prop, on 5S 5000 packs. I dressed it up a bit, including a functional bomb drop.

I’m not a fan of the vinyl covering (in general), but concede that the printed details is permits are nice. The wire used for the landing gear is soft; I’ve watch them bend while merely taxiing on the grass runway I fly from. On a rough landing they flex enough for the pants to punch holes in the wing. I’ve since made better replacements. It lacks the distinctive dive brakes of the full size, but I can’t really blame them. Done/installed wrong, they’d likely mess with flight characteristics.

On a historical note: the markings on the tail, AII-256 makes this a model of a Pearl Harbour participant, based on the IJN Kaga (“A” = First Carrier Division, “II” = the second unit in the division. Akagi was the first unit, Kaga was second).

[Elbee]

CF-105,

Nicely done, Sir.

Good mods, she's a beauty and a rarity, IMHO.

Best, LB

[CF-105]

Thanks! I still need to replace the Lewis gun for the rear gunner. The supplied one is crude and grossly oversized - looks big enough to fire 20mm rather than 7.62! And still considering dive brakes. Maybe removable, so I don’t have to fly with them.

[WDivCV61]

Bought one a couple years ago and is probably my favorite overall in my hangar but am pretty partial to Japanese stuff. I plan to add a drop mechanism as well but want to incorporate a functional trapeze, works in my head lol, see how it pans out in reality. Will likely add dive brakes and debating on functional as well. I think the flight characteristics with them would be negligible imo, again, we'll see. I think they'll give it an annoying whine more than anything. Love gimmicks though, keeps the mind young, for me anyway ha. Far down on the list though, heck still haven't decided if gonna run a Saito in it or make electric 🤔.