Overview
The E-flite Night Timber X Evolution 1.2m BNF Basic with AS3X+ and SAFE Select represents a significant leap forward in recreational RC aircraft design. This updated Evolution version of the hugely popular Night Timber X builds on the original's proven formula whilst adding the most requested features from the RC flying community. Whether you're searching for a ready-to-fly RC plane UK enthusiasts recommend for STOL flying, 3D aerobatics, or night operations, this brushless RC aircraft delivers exceptional versatility in a single package.
The Night Timber X Evolution 1.2m has been engineered for intermediate to experienced pilots who demand performance across multiple flying disciplines. The original model became renowned for combining the short takeoff and landing capabilities of the Timber 1.5m models with genuine 3D aerobatic abilities, all whilst featuring integrated LED lighting for day and night flight operations. The Evolution upgrade responds directly to pilot feedback, incorporating a larger top-mounted battery hatch for faster battery changes, reinforced landing gear mounts, heavy-duty springs, and simplified combined wing connectors that make the aircraft more durable, convenient, and capable than ever before.
This is not merely an incremental update — it's a thoughtfully refined aircraft that respects what made the original successful whilst addressing real-world usability concerns. The composite-reinforced EPO construction ensures durability through inevitable learning moments, while the factory-installed avionics suite means you can be airborne within the hour. For UK-based RC enthusiasts seeking a serious performer that handles everything from gentle STOL approaches to aggressive 3D manoeuvres, the Night Timber X Evolution 1.2m offers unmatched capability in its class.
Key Features
- Top-Mounted Battery Hatch — The Evolution upgrade introduces a larger, more convenient top-mounted hatch that accepts 3S 2200mAh through 4S 3200mAh LiPo batteries, dramatically reducing battery change times compared to the original side-access design. This seemingly simple improvement makes a genuine difference during intensive flying sessions, allowing you to swap batteries in seconds rather than minutes.
- Reinforced Landing Gear with Heavy-Duty Springs — Stronger main landing gear mounts paired with heavy-duty springs dramatically improve durability on rough field surfaces and hard landings. The oversized wheels and tyres combine with the enhanced suspension geometry to absorb impacts that would have caused damage to earlier models, extending the aircraft's service life.
- Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) Performance — The Night Timber X Evolution 1.2m delivers the legendary STOL capabilities that made the original famous, allowing operations from extremely short fields whilst maintaining full 3D aerobatic capability. Optional leading edge slats are included and can be deployed for even more dramatic slow-flight performance when required.
- Full 3D Aerobatic Capability — Beyond STOL flying, this aircraft executes inverted flight, rolls, loops, and 3D hovering manoeuvres with precision thanks to oversized control surfaces with double-bevelled hinge lines. Sport-level pilots will appreciate the combination of STOL docility and aerobatic responsiveness in a single airframe.
- Spektrum Avian 70-Amp Smart Lite ESC with Telemetry — The integrated 70-amp electronic speed controller provides real-time telemetry data including battery voltage, current draw, motor RPM, and other performance metrics on compatible Spektrum receivers and transmitters. This Smart system integration means you receive crucial flight data directly on your transmitter display.
- AS3X+ Stability and SAFE Select Protection — The aircraft features exclusive AS3X+ (Attitude Stabilisation Over 3-aXes Plus) technology that provides a locked-in, stable feel throughout the flight envelope, making the aircraft more forgiving for intermediate pilots. The optional-use SAFE Select flight envelope protection system can be activated to define maximum pitch, roll, and speed parameters, providing additional safety margins for less experienced operators.
- Spektrum AR631+ Receiver with DSMX Technology — The integrated AR631+ receiver offers full-range Spektrum DSMX technology with fly-by-wire telemetry capabilities, ensuring reliable control over extended distances. The receiver comes pre-loaded with Smart Transmitter Files, allowing seamless import of all settings during the binding process on NX and iX series transmitters.
- Six Metal-Geared Servos with Precise Control — Six updated metal-geared servos provide reliable, precise control across all flight axes. The metal gears ensure durability during aggressive aerobatic manoeuvres whilst maintaining the responsiveness required for precision STOL approaches and 3D flying.
- Functional Flaps with Aileron Configuration Option — The aircraft features fully functional flaps capable of travelling both ways, allowing operation as traditional flaps or conversion to full-span ailerons for enhanced aerobatic control authority. This configurability means a single airframe can be optimised for your preferred flying style.
- Integrated High-Visibility LED Lighting System — Factory-installed LED lighting throughout the airframe includes functional landing, navigation, and strobe lights, enabling confident flying from dawn to dusk and into the evening. The high-visibility light arrangement ensures the aircraft remains clearly visible throughout extended flight sessions, particularly during twilight operations.
- Combined Wing Connectors for Convenient Assembly — Simplified combined wing connectors make installing and removing the two-piece wing faster and easier than ever, improving convenience during transport and storage. The glue-free, bolt-on assembly completes in less than an hour, and the quick-disconnect wing design means you can pack the aircraft into a compact bag between flying sessions.
- Spektrum Brushless Outrunner Motor with Enhanced Mounting — The high-power 2815-900Kv Spektrum brushless outrunner motor features stronger mounting design compared to earlier iterations, providing increased reliability and vibration isolation. The motor is compatible with both 3S and 4S LiPo batteries, offering pilots choice between longer flight duration or increased performance.
- Composite-Reinforced EPO Construction — Lightweight yet durable composite-reinforced EPO (expanded polypropylene) construction balances strength with minimal weight. This material selection ensures the aircraft withstands the rigours of 3D flying and aggressive landings whilst remaining light enough for docile STOL performance.
- Optional Water Flying Capability — Floats are available separately, enabling the Night Timber X Evolution to operate from water surfaces. This expansion of flying environments is perfect for pilots with access to lakes, rivers, and coastal locations.
Technical Performance
The Night Timber X Evolution 1.2m delivers impressive engineering across every system. The Spektrum Brushless Outrunner motor, rated at 2815-900Kv with 14 poles, pairs with the 70-amp Spektrum Avian Smart Lite ESC to create a responsive power system capable of handling both lazy STOL flights and aggressive 3D manoeuvres. The motor accepts 3S 11.1V or 4S 14.8V LiPo batteries in the 2200-3200mAh capacity range, providing flexibility in flight profile selection. With a 3S battery, expect longer endurance and docile handling; 4S operation delivers noticeably stronger performance and faster acceleration. The 13x4 propeller size is optimised for the motor and battery combination, balancing thrust, efficiency, and noise levels.
The airframe dimensions measure 1206mm (47.5 inches) wingspan and 1054mm (41.5 inches) fuselage length, creating a mid-sized trainer-plus platform. Weight without battery sits at 1550g (54.7oz), rising to approximately 1810g (63.9oz) with a recommended battery installed. The centre of gravity tolerance of 93mm ± 9mm requires careful battery placement to maintain proper trim. The composite-reinforced EPO construction provides excellent durability whilst keeping weight minimal — crucial for STOL performance where lighter wing loading equals shorter takeoff distances. Six metal-geared servos control the aircraft with precision, whilst the oversized control surfaces with double-bevelled hinge lines ensure crisp response even during complex 3D manoeuvres. The reinforced landing gear with heavy-duty springs and oversized wheels effectively absorbs hard landings and rough field operations, directly addressing the durability concerns pilots raised with the original model.
Assembly time is genuinely minimal — typically less than one hour from box opening to first flight. The bolt-on two-piece wing with composite joiner and combined connectors means no gluing, no waiting for adhesive to cure, and no permanent commitment if you need to adjust wing angle or configuration. The integrated electronics package — motor, ESC, receiver, and servos — arrive fully installed and calibrated, eliminating potential setup errors and dramatically reducing first-flight risk. Spektrum's Smart system integration ensures compatibility across the entire ecosystem, with telemetry data flowing seamlessly from the aircraft to compatible transmitters for real-time monitoring throughout your flight.
What's in the Box
- E-flite Night Timber X Evolution 1.2m airframe with integrated LED lighting
- Six Spektrum metal-geared servos (pre-installed)
- Spektrum Brushless Outrunner 2815-900Kv 14-pole motor (pre-installed)
- Spektrum Avian 70-Amp Smart Lite brushless ESC (pre-installed)
- Spektrum AR631+ receiver with AS3X+ and SAFE Select (pre-installed)
- Product manual with assembly and setup guidance
- Optional leading edge slats for enhanced STOL performance
What You Need to Complete
- Full-range 5 to 7+ channel Spektrum DSMX/DSM2 compatible transmitter (sold separately) — options include the Spektrum DXS or compatible Spectrum radio systems
- One 3S 11.1V LiPo battery (2200-3200mAh) with EC3 or IC3 connector, OR one 4S 14.8V LiPo battery (2200-3200mAh) with EC3 or IC3 connector
- Compatible LiPo battery charger — Spektrum Smart chargers provide convenient fast charging and battery monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Night Timber X Evolution 1.2m suitable for intermediate RC pilots? — Yes, this aircraft is specifically engineered for intermediate to experienced pilots. The Skill Level 2 classification indicates it requires basic RC flying experience and understanding of trim adjustment, but the AS3X+ stability system makes it more forgiving than pure manual flying would demand. The optional SAFE Select system can be engaged to limit control inputs for additional safety margins during the learning phase.
- What is the difference between this Evolution model and the original Night Timber X? — The Evolution upgrade directly addresses real-world usability based on pilot feedback. Key differences include the larger top-mounted battery hatch for faster changes, reinforced landing gear mounts with heavier-duty springs for improved durability, simplified combined wing connectors requiring less assembly time, and internal structural improvements. The Evolution maintains all the STOL and aerobatic capabilities of the original whilst adding practical convenience improvements.
- What battery does the Night Timber X Evolution need, and what is the flight time? — The aircraft accepts either 3S 11.1V or 4S 14.8V LiPo batteries in the 2200-3200mAh capacity range, with EC3 or IC3 connectors. A 3S 2200mAh battery provides longer endurance with more docile flying characteristics, whilst 4S operation delivers stronger performance and faster response. Flight time varies based on flying style — aggressive 3D manoeuvres consume more power than gentle STOL flying, but expect approximately 12-18 minutes of flight per battery depending on your technique.
- Can the Night Timber X Evolution perform 3D aerobatics? — Absolutely. Despite its STOL heritage, the oversized control surfaces with double-bevelled hinge lines, six metal-geared servos, and responsive 70-amp ESC make this aircraft fully capable of 3D manoeuvres including inverted flight, rolls, loops, and hovering. The combination of STOL docility with aerobatic capability is precisely what sets the Night Timber X apart from single-purpose trainers or pure aerobatic performers.
- Is the Night Timber X Evolution a good choice for night flying? — Yes, the integrated LED lighting system with factory-installed landing, navigation, and strobe lights makes the aircraft highly visible during low-light conditions. The high-visibility light arrangement ensures clear orientation even as daylight fades, though you should ensure adequate lighting at your flying field and maintain visual line of sight throughout all operations.
- What transmitter do I need to fly the Night Timber X Evolution? — The Spektrum AR631+ receiver requires a full-range Spektrum DSMX or DSM2 compatible transmitter with a minimum of 5 channels. Popular compatible options include the Spektrum DXS transmitter. The receiver comes pre-loaded with Smart Transmitter Files allowing easy setup on NX and iX series transmitters during binding.
- How long does assembly take on the Night Timber X Evolution? — Less than one hour from box opening to first flight. All electronics arrive pre-installed and calibrated. The bolt-on two-piece wing with composite joiner requires no gluing, and the simplified combined connectors make assembly straightforward for intermediate builders.
- What makes the AS3X+ stability system valuable? — AS3X+ (Attitude Stabilisation Over 3-aXes Plus) continuously monitors aircraft orientation across pitch, roll, and yaw axes, automatically making micro-corrections to maintain stable flight. This provides a locked-in, predictable feel that significantly reduces the workload on the pilot, making the aircraft more forgiving during imprecise inputs whilst maintaining responsiveness for intentional manoeuvres.
- Can I use optional floats for water flying? — Yes, optional floats are available separately, enabling operations from water surfaces. This transforms the Night Timber X Evolution into an amphibious performer capable of launching from lakes, rivers, and calm coastal locations.
- What is the weight and balance requirement for the Night Timber X Evolution? — The aircraft weighs 1550g (54.7oz) without battery and approximately 1810g (63.9oz) with a recommended battery installed. The centre of gravity must be positioned at 93mm ± 9mm from the leading edge, requiring careful battery placement to maintain trim and prevent pitch instability.
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 Night Timber X Evolution 1.2m BNF Basic with AS3X+ and SAFE Select 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.
