FMS Mitsubishi A6M Zero 1400mm Review: The Scale Japanese Warbird
Full review of the FMS A6M Zero 1400mm PNP in EPO with retracts, flaps, and Reflex V2 gyro. Real specifications, flight behavior, pros and cons reported by pilots, and who this scale Japanese fighter is really for.
The Mitsubishi A6M Zero is one of the most recognizable silhouettes of World War II, and for years FMS has offered a scale version with a 1400 mm wingspan that has become a benchmark for those who want to enter the world of electric warbirds without going to giant sizes. It's a model that's all about balance: large enough to have scenic presence and stability, yet compact enough to fit in a small car and not require a huge field. In this review, we set aside the marketing and look at what it really offers, based on real manufacturer data and feedback collected from pilots and forums.
The proposal is particularly interesting because the Zero, from a modeler's perspective, is an honest fighter: wide wings, low wing loading compared to a Mustang or Corsair of similar size, and a scale rendition that FMS meticulously crafts with panel lines, wing cannons, Pitot tube, antenna, and reproduced landing gear doors. It's not a pure aerobatic model, but it fully fits into scale flying with some aerobatic margin, and it's precisely in this niche that it should be evaluated.
Technical Specifications
The following data comes from official FMS datasheets and major European retailers. Where a value may vary between batches or versions, I indicate it as approximate.
- Wingspan: 1400 mm (approx. 55 in)
- Length: 1085 mm (approx. 42.7 in)
- Flying Weight: approx. 1880 g
- Material: EPO foam, painted scale finish
- Motor: brushless outrunner 4250, approx. 580 KV
- ESC: 70 A with integrated 5 A SBEC
- Recommended Battery: LiPo 4S 14.8 V, 2200 to 3300 mAh (not included)
- Propeller: 13x9 three-blade scale
- Servos: 6 total (indicative per batch)
- Landing Gear: servoless retracts with shock absorber, tail wheel
- Flaps: yes, slow-acting split flaps
- Channels Required: minimum 6
- Version: PNP (Plug-and-Play), with Reflex V2 gyro included in recent series
- Typical Flight Time: approx. 6 minutes (indicative, depends on battery)
- Approximate Price: approx. 380-400 € in Europe
The PNP package includes motor, ESC, servos, retracts, and flaps already installed: only radio, receiver, and LiPo pack are needed. The Reflex V2 gyro offers stabilization modes and a manual mode, useful for those coming from simpler models.
In Flight
In the air, the FMS Zero behaves exactly as expected from a well-designed warbird of this size: precise but not twitchy. With a 4S 2600 mAh battery, the model has healthy thrust, sufficient for scale takeoffs and some fast passes, without being overpowered. It's not a 3D model, but it performs wide loops, rolls, cathedral turns, and low-speed passes with ease, remaining consistent with the character of a historical fighter.
Cruising speed is moderate and, most importantly, the Zero is forgiving: the low wing loading and split flaps make approach very manageable. Extending the flaps significantly slows the model and makes it settle on the air, allowing for soft, scale landings. This is where you see the difference compared to hotter warbirds: the Zero allows you to refine the landing instead of just enduring it.
The Reflex gyro helps on windy days and during initial flights, but the model also flies well manually once trimmed. A recurring note: the rudder tends to be ineffective from the factory, and many pilots increase the rudder throw (even beyond 130-140%) to have adequate directional control, especially on the ground.
Pros
- Remarkable scale rendition for the price range: well-reproduced panel lines, cannons, antenna, and doors
- Docile and predictable flight, ideal as a first warbird with retracts
- Effective split flaps that make landings truly manageable
- Servoless retractable landing gear already installed, without fragile visible mechanisms
- Complete PNP with Reflex V2: flies with very little assembly work
- Balanced size: scenic presence but transportable by car
Cons
- Ineffective rudder as standard: often requires increasing rudder throw
- Battery compartment not always securely lockable: the pack tends to move and needs to be secured with velcro or shims
- Relatively delicate motor mount: a hard landing or nose-over can stress it
- Difficult on tall grass: the landing gear struggles on untrimmed fields, and the model is prone to nosing over during taxiing
- Limited flight time (approx. 6 minutes): for longer flights, it's advisable to increase the capacity of the 4S pack
- EPO, like all foam, requires care in transport and repairs
Who is it suitable for?
The FMS Zero 1400 mm is not a model for absolute first flights: it flies faster and is less forgiving than a high-wing trainer. Instead, it's perfect for the intermediate pilot who is already familiar with a low-wing trainer or a basic warbird and wants their first model with retracts and flaps. Thanks to the Reflex V2, it's also an excellent bridge to more challenging warbirds: you can start with active stabilization and transition to manual as you progress. For experienced pilots, it remains a pleasant Sunday flyer, suitable for paved runways or well-mown grass.
Verdict
The FMS Mitsubishi A6M Zero 1400 mm is one of the most successful electric warbirds in its class: beautiful to look at, honest in flight, and complete in its PNP package. Its limitations — rudder needing adjustment, imperfect battery compartment, delicate motor mount, and sensitivity to grassy fields — are manageable flaws, not defects that compromise its value. Those looking for a balanced scale fighter, capable of soft landings and some scale aerobatics, will hardly be disappointed.
Rating: 8/10. A recommended scale warbird for those ready to make the leap to retracts and flaps, with the Reflex V2 acting as a safety net.