Overview
The E-flite Habu XS (eXtra Sport) 80mm EDF is a high-performance electric ducted fan sport jet that combines the legendary heritage of the iconic Habu 32x with modern engineering and factory-installed electronics. Scaled up from the extremely popular Habu SS (Super Sport) 50mm and 70mm models, this full-house EDF jet delivers incredible low-speed handling characteristics alongside impressive top speed capability, making it an ideal choice for both low-time EDF pilots progressing to their first full-house jet and experienced pilots seeking an everyday high-performance sport jet. Whether you're looking for a brushless RC jet for competitive flying, aerobatic sport flying, or simply want to experience the thrill of electric jet flight with authentic turbine-like sound, the Habu XS 80mm offers an exceptionally wide performance envelope and an approachable flight experience that sets it apart from competing EDF models in the UK RC market.
Inspired by one of the highest-performance electric ducted fan models ever designed, the Habu XS features a unique swept-back wing and stabiliser design with leading-edge extensions that deliver superb low-speed handling and exceptional slow-flight performance. This thoughtful aerodynamic design makes the Habu XS one of the easiest EDF jets to fly and land, removing much of the anxiety that can come with operating high-speed jet aircraft. The composite-reinforced EPO airframe is lightweight yet durable, featuring a factory-finished high-visibility paint scheme with LED navigation and landing lights for enhanced visibility and orientation during flight. The one-piece wing with hands-free connections means fast, glue-free assembly in approximately one hour, making this a practical choice for those who want to minimise build time and maximise flying time.
As a PNP (Plug-and-Play) model, the Habu XS 80mm arrives almost fully assembled with all power and control electronics factory-installed, including a Spektrum brushless inrunner motor, eight digital metal-geared servos, and the Spektrum Avian 130-amp Smart ESC. This means you simply need to add your transmitter, receiver, and battery to get airborne. The inclusion of factory-installed electric retracts with shock-absorbing, trailing-link struts means you can operate from grass fields and other surfaces without modification, whilst functional flaps enable shorter take-offs, improved slow-flight handling, and gentler landings for added confidence and versatility.
Key Features
- 12-blade 80mm EDF system with engineered ducting — The dual-stage 80mm electric ducted fan delivers excellent top speed, impressive vertical performance, and an authentic turbine-like sound that makes every flight engaging. The expertly engineered ducting ensures efficient performance without relying on cheater holes, meaning optimised airflow, improved reliability, and better overall aerodynamics than poorly designed alternatives.
- Factory-installed 6S-compatible Spektrum brushless inrunner motor — Pre-installed and ready to use, this high-quality brushless motor (3665-2170Kv, 4-pole) is paired with popular 6S 4000-7000mAh LiPo batteries, delivering excellent power delivery and flight times without requiring complex setup or tuning.
- Spektrum Avian 130-amp Smart brushless ESC with telemetry — The smart ESC monitors and reports real-time battery voltage, current draw, and other critical flight data via compatible Spektrum transmitters, allowing you to optimise your flight profile and maintain awareness of your power system status throughout every flight session.
- Eight factory-installed digital metal-geared servos — Heavy-duty digital servos with ball-link equipped linkages and captured-rod hinges deliver responsive control authority with enhanced durability, making the Habu XS capable of precise aerobatic manoeuvres and smooth, controlled flight across the entire speed range.
- Incredibly wide speed range and performance envelope — Capable of level-flight top speeds up to 120 mph with impressive vertical performance, the Habu XS also excels at low-speed flight thanks to its unique wing design, meaning you can fly slow for landing approaches or fast for aerobatic performance with equal confidence and control.
- Unique wing design with leading-edge extensions — The swept-back wing and stabiliser geometry, combined with intelligent leading-edge extensions, deliver outstanding low-speed handling characteristics that make this jet forgiving and enjoyable to fly, especially during landing phases where many EDF pilots lose confidence.
- Electric retracts with shock-absorbing trailing-link struts — Fully functional electric landing gear with trailing-link strut design provides shock absorption and durability for grass field operations, eliminating the need for hard-surface landing strips and expanding where you can safely operate your jet.
- Functional flap system — Deployable flaps enable shorter take-offs, significantly improved slow-flight performance for landing approaches, and gentler touchdown characteristics, adding genuine practical benefits rather than cosmetic addition.
- LED navigation and landing lights — Factory-installed LED lighting enhances visibility and orientation during flight, particularly valuable for early morning or evening flying sessions and adding to the authentic jet aircraft appearance.
- Large top hatch with clear canopy and detailed cockpit — The removable hatch features a clear polycarbonate canopy, detailed cockpit interior, and included pilot figure, allowing easy access to internal electronics and battery whilst maintaining authentic fighter-jet aesthetics with plastic-capped hatch edges for durability.
- Lightweight composite-reinforced EPO airframe — The durable EPO construction with composite reinforcement delivers the ideal balance of weight and strength, meaning robust reliability without unnecessary mass that would compromise performance and handling.
- One-piece wing with hands-free connections — The entire wing assembly connects without tools, allowing convenient storage, transport, and setup whilst maintaining excellent structural integrity and control response during flight.
- Optional-use motor and thrust reversing capability — The Avian ESC supports programmable thrust reversing, enabling shortened rollout after landing and enhanced ground handling manoeuvres for practical utility beyond simple forward flight.
- Factory-finished high-visibility paint scheme — The aircraft arrives fully painted and ready to fly with visibility-enhancing colours, eliminating the need for post-purchase painting and immediately presenting a professional appearance.
- Fast glue-free assembly — Approximate build time of less than one hour means minimal preparation before first flight, with no adhesives required, making this ideal for pilots who want to maximise flying time rather than spending extensive hours in the workshop.
Technical Performance
The E-flite Habu XS 80mm EDF represents the pinnacle of modern sport jet design, delivering exceptional engineering and performance characteristics across every aspect of operation. The motor system consists of a Spektrum 3665-2170Kv brushless inrunner with 4-pole configuration, factory-installed and ready for immediate use. Power delivery is managed by the Spektrum Avian 130-amp Smart brushless ESC with real-time telemetry capabilities, offering sufficient headroom for dynamic aerobatic manoeuvres whilst maintaining excellent low-speed control authority. The system is optimised for 6S LiPo batteries in the 4000-7000mAh range at 30+C discharge rate, with IC5 or EC5 connector compatibility, allowing flexible battery selection from multiple quality manufacturers available throughout the UK. The airframe itself measures 1252mm in length with a 1113mm wingspan, presenting a substantial and impressive presence on the flight line whilst remaining manageable for single-pilot operations. The aircraft weighs 1972 grams without battery, increasing to approximately 2742 grams when equipped with the recommended 5000mAh 6S battery, positioning it within an ideal weight range for smooth, forgiving flight characteristics. The ducted fan system produces level-flight top speeds exceeding 120 mph, with the 12-blade 80mm fan delivering turbine-like sound and exceptional vertical performance capabilities. The airframe construction utilises EPO foam with composite reinforcement, balancing durability against weight for reliable service life even with regular operation. Eight digital metal-geared servos provide precise control of flaps, retracts, elevator, rudder, and aileron surfaces with smooth response across the entire control envelope. The centre of gravity is set at 125mm with a tolerance of ±10mm, providing a conservative and stable pitch balance that favours forgiving handling characteristics. The included electric retracts incorporate shock-absorbing trailing-link strut design specifically engineered for safe operation from grass fields, loose terrain, and other unprepared surfaces without requiring hard-surface runway strips.
What's in the Box
- E-flite Habu XS (eXtra Sport) 80mm EDF airframe
- Spektrum brushless inrunner motor (3665-2170Kv, 4-pole) — factory-installed
- Eight Spektrum digital metal-geared servos — factory-installed
- Spektrum Avian 130-amp Smart brushless ESC — factory-installed
- Product manual with assembly and operation instructions
What You Need to Complete
- Full-range 6+ channel 2.4GHz transmitter and receiver compatible with Spektrum DSM2 or DSMX protocol
- One 6S 22.2V LiPo battery in the range of 4000-7000mAh with 30+C discharge rating and EC5 or IC5 connector
- Compatible LiPo battery charger
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Habu XS 80mm EDF suitable for beginner and intermediate EDF pilots? — Yes, the Habu XS is specifically designed as an excellent choice for both low-time EDF pilots progressing to their first full-house jet and experienced pilots seeking an everyday high-performance sport jet. The unique wing design with leading-edge extensions and swept-back geometry delivers incredible low-speed handling characteristics that make it significantly easier to fly and land compared to many competing EDF models. The factory-installed electronics eliminate complex setup requirements, and the approachable flight envelope means pilots can start with gentle, confidence-building flights and progress to aerobatic sport flying as skills develop.
- What battery does the Habu XS 80mm EDF require? — The aircraft is optimised for 6S LiPo batteries in the 4000-7000mAh range at 30+C discharge rate. The recommended battery is a 5000mAh 6S 22.2V Smart G2 LiPo with IC5 connector, though any quality 6S battery within these specifications with EC5 or IC5 connectivity will deliver excellent performance. Avoid undersized batteries below 4000mAh as flight time and performance will be compromised, and check your battery management system before flights to monitor voltage and current draw via the Avian Smart ESC telemetry feature.
- What is the difference between the Habu XS 80mm and the smaller Habu SS 50mm and 70mm models? — The Habu XS represents a scaled-up version of the extremely popular Habu SS series, delivering greater power output, enhanced vertical performance, and higher top speed capabilities whilst retaining the outstanding low-speed handling characteristics that make the smaller models so forgiving. The XS designation indicates extra size and extra sport capability, making it ideal for pilots who have mastered smaller EDF jets and want a more capable machine, or experienced builders seeking a full-house jet with authentic performance. The Habu XS maintains the same aerodynamic design philosophy but with more powerful motor, larger fan, and increased overall scale.
- How long does the Habu XS 80mm take to assemble? — Approximate assembly time is less than one hour. The aircraft arrives almost fully assembled with all power and control electronics factory-installed, including the motor, ESC, and eight servos. You simply need to attach the one-piece wing using hands-free connections, fit the battery, connect your receiver, and perform basic pre-flight checks before flying. No glue is required for any assembly step, making this a practical choice for those who want to minimise workshop time.
- What transmitter and receiver do I need for the Habu XS 80mm? — You require a full-range 6+ channel transmitter and receiver with Spektrum DSM2 or DSMX protocol compatibility. The minimum specification is a 2.4GHz frequency system with 6 channels to control rudder, elevator, aileron, throttle, flaps, and landing gear. Many modern Spektrum transmitters including the NX10+ offer excellent range, reliability, and telemetry integration with the Avian Smart ESC for real-time flight data monitoring.
- Can the Habu XS 80mm operate from grass fields? — Yes, the electric retracts with shock-absorbing trailing-link struts are specifically engineered for safe operation from grass fields, loose terrain, and other unprepared surfaces. This eliminates the requirement for hard-surface runway strips and significantly expands where you can safely fly your EDF jet, making it practical for clubs and flying sites across the UK.
- What top speed can the Habu XS 80mm achieve? — The aircraft is capable of level-flight top speeds exceeding 120 mph, making it a genuine high-performance sport jet suitable for dynamic aerobatic manoeuvres and speed runs. Despite this impressive top-end performance, the unique wing design ensures excellent control response and handling at much lower speeds, giving you an exceptionally wide performance envelope.
- Does the Habu XS 80mm include LED lighting? — Yes, LED navigation and landing lights are factory-installed, enhancing visibility and orientation during flight particularly for early morning or evening flying sessions. The lights add to the authentic jet aircraft appearance whilst providing practical visibility benefits for orientation during longer flights or low-light conditions.
- What makes the Habu XS 80mm different from the iconic Habu 32x? — The Habu XS is inspired by the legendary Habu 32x that set the standard for high-speed EDF sport jet performance more than a decade ago, incorporating proven aerodynamic principles and swept-back design elements from that iconic model. However, the XS is scaled and engineered for broader appeal and more forgiving handling characteristics, combining the high-performance DNA of the 32x with the outstanding low-speed handling of the Habu SS series.
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 Habu XS (eXtra Sport) 80mm EDF 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.
