Overview
The Spektrum A179 42g High-Voltage Metal-Geared Digital Servo is a premium servo solution designed for serious RC aircraft enthusiasts across the UK who demand reliability, precision and robust performance in their flying machines. This professional-grade digital servo combines high-voltage capability with metal gear construction to deliver the torque and responsiveness required for demanding aerial applications. Whether you're flying scale aircraft, aerobatic models, or high-performance RC planes, the A179 represents a significant step up in servo technology that will transform your flying experience with smooth, accurate control authority.
Built by Spektrum, a recognised leader in RC electronics and control systems, the A179 is engineered for pilots who understand that servo quality directly impacts aircraft handling characteristics and overall flight performance. The 375mm servo lead provides excellent flexibility in aircraft installation, allowing you to route control runs more efficiently through tight airframe spaces. This servo has earned a solid reputation among experienced RC aircraft builders and competitive pilots who refuse to compromise on control system quality.
If you're upgrading from standard servos or building a new high-performance aircraft, the A179 delivers the mechanical advantage and electrical responsiveness that separates good flight control from exceptional flight control. The metal gear construction ensures durability through hundreds of flights, whilst the high-voltage specification provides the electrical power necessary for rapid, precise control inputs in any flying condition.
Key Features
- 42g Weight — At just 42 grams, this servo provides an excellent weight-to-performance ratio that minimises the impact on your aircraft's centre of gravity whilst delivering substantial torque output, which is critical for achieving optimal flight characteristics and reduced wing loading in RC aircraft.
- High-Voltage Operation — The high-voltage (HV) specification enables operation at elevated electrical potentials, providing significantly higher torque output and faster response times compared to standard voltage servos, which directly translates to crisper control inputs and better handling authority in the air.
- Metal Gear Construction — Unlike plastic gears found in budget servos, the metal gear drivetrain resists stripping and wear during demanding flight operations, ensuring your servo maintains full authority and precision across hundreds of flight hours without degradation in performance.
- Digital Control System — Digital servo technology offers superior resolution and control linearity compared to analogue servos, enabling finer adjustment of control surface position and smoother response to pilot input, which is essential for aerobatic flying and precision manoeuvres.
- 375mm Servo Lead — The extended 375mm lead wire provides outstanding routing flexibility during aircraft construction, allowing you to position servo components away from the control surfaces and run wiring through the fuselage with far greater ease than shorter-lead alternatives.
- Spektrum Brand Reliability — Spektrum is an authorised name in RC electronics with decades of heritage in producing control systems that pilots trust during competition and high-consequence flying situations, backed by support from a brand committed to RC aviation excellence.
Technical Performance
The A179 represents serious servo engineering designed specifically for demanding RC aircraft applications where control precision directly impacts performance and safety. The 42-gram weight places this servo firmly in the mid-range category, making it suitable for a diverse range of aircraft sizes from 1.2 to 3 metre wingspan models and larger. The high-voltage electrical specification ensures robust torque delivery and rapid response characteristics that differentiate this servo from standard voltage competitors. The metal gear construction utilises durable materials throughout the gear train, resisting the mechanical wear that inevitably occurs through hundreds of flight cycles whilst maintaining consistent servo authority and control linearity. The digital control electronics provide superior resolution compared to analogue servo systems, enabling pilots to feel more refined control authority and respond more precisely to aircraft attitude changes. The extended 375mm servo lead offers genuine installation flexibility, allowing builders to position the servo actuator and routing runs in optimal locations within the aircraft structure rather than being constrained by short cord lengths. This servo operates comfortably in the environmental conditions encountered during typical RC flying, from cool morning flights to warm afternoon sessions, without performance degradation. Whether you're flying sailplanes, aerobatic aircraft, or high-speed scale models, the A179 delivers the performance foundation required for successful, enjoyable flights across the UK RC flying community.
What's in the Box
- Spektrum A179 42g High-Voltage Metal-Geared Digital Servo (single unit)
- 375mm servo lead attached and ready for immediate installation
What You Need to Complete
- RC aircraft with compatible servo control surfaces (ailerons, elevators, rudder, flaps, etc.)
- RC radio receiver compatible with standard servo connectors
- Servo arms or horns suitable for your control surface installations
- Mounting brackets or servo frames designed for your aircraft fuselage dimensions
- High-voltage battery system capable of delivering the servo's voltage requirements (high-voltage compatible LiPo or LiHV battery recommended)
- Servo extension cables if original 375mm lead is insufficient for your installation layout
Frequently Asked Questions
- What battery voltage does the Spektrum A179 require? — The A179 is specified as a high-voltage (HV) servo, which means it operates at elevated voltage levels compared to standard servos. You should consult the full Spektrum A179 specifications to confirm the exact voltage range it accepts, but HV servos typically operate between 4.8-8.4V, allowing them to work with high-voltage LiPo and LiHV battery systems that deliver greater electrical power for superior servo performance.
- Is the A179 suitable for beginners building their first RC aircraft? — Whilst the A179 is certainly reliable and well-engineered, beginner RC aircraft builders might initially prefer lower-cost servo options to minimise initial investment risk. However, if you're serious about building a high-performance aircraft or upgrading an existing model, the A179 is an excellent choice that will serve you faithfully for years. The 375mm lead and metal gear construction are particularly valuable if you're building a larger or more complex aircraft where servo reliability is genuinely important.
- What makes the A179 different from other Spektrum servos? — Spektrum offers a comprehensive range of servo options across different weight categories, voltage specifications, and performance tiers. The A179 distinguishes itself through its combination of moderate weight (42g), high-voltage capability, metal gear construction, and 375mm lead length. Some Spektrum servos are lighter, some are heavier, and some offer different lead lengths. The A179 represents an optimal balance of these characteristics for mid-sized to larger aircraft applications where you need genuine performance without excessive weight penalty.
- Can I use the A179 in a small park flyer aircraft? — The 42-gram weight might be excessive for very small indoor or micro park flyer aircraft where servo weight becomes a significant proportion of total aircraft mass. However, for conventional park flyer models in the 0.8 to 1.5 kilogram range, the A179 would be an outstanding choice, delivering precision control authority that enhances the flying experience. Check your aircraft design specifications to ensure the servo weight aligns with your intended aircraft's centre of gravity and weight distribution.
- Does the A179 come with servo arms or mounting hardware? — The servo arrives as the control unit with 375mm lead attached, ready for connection to your radio receiver. You will need to source appropriate servo arms, horns, and mounting brackets separately. Servo arms are typically matched to your specific aircraft requirements, so it's important to select them based on your control surface design rather than relying on generic options.
- How reliable are Spektrum servos in real-world RC flying? — Spektrum has established a strong reputation for producing reliable servo systems trusted by experienced pilots, competitive flyers, and aircraft builders throughout the UK and internationally. The metal gear construction, digital electronics, and quality manufacturing standards support this reliability record. Countless RC aircraft have successfully logged hundreds of flight hours using Spektrum servos as their control system foundation.
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 SPM A179 42g High-Voltage Metal-Geared Digital Servo, 375mm Lead P-SPMSA179 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.
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
- As soon as your order is on its way we will send you a tracking number by email. If you provide your mobile number at checkout we will also send delivery updates straight to your phone so you can keep an eye on progress.
- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.
