Avios Spitfire Mk1a vs Avios Spitfire MkVb: Which 1450mm Upgrade Really Fits Your Flying

Introduction: Why so many pilots are eyeing the Avios Spitfire Mk1a

For years, the Avios Spitfire MkVb was the warbird everyone at the field talked about. Now the Avios Spitfire Mk1a arrives, modeled after P9374, and it’s the one you keep seeing in club chats and on flight lines. If you already love your MkVb, should you switch to the Spitfire Mk1a? Let’s put Avios Spitfire against Avios Spitfire Mk1a and see what’s really new—especially for batteries.

What’s actually different on the Avios Spitfire Mk1a?

The MkVb had solid scale detail, but the Avios Mk1a adds the small touches that make it feel alive. We’re talking a sliding canopy and a cockpit door that opens—great for those pre-flight photos. The Avios Spitfire Mk1a also carries that early RAF black/white underside; it’s authentic and makes orientation easier when you bank low. In the air, the Spitfire Mk1a feels smoother on takeoff and friendlier near stall, which is exactly what a lot of Avios Spitfire fans wanted.

Battery bay & power: where the Avios Spitfire Mk1a pulls ahead

The MkVb was happiest on 6S 3000–4000mAh. The Avios Spitfire Mk1a widens your options: it comfortably takes 6S 3400–4500mAh LiPo packs without messing up the CG. We’ve tried stuffing several batteries into that narrow nose; the latest CNHL packs slide into the Spitfire Mk1a bay without a fight, line up the CG, and keep the Avios Mk1a tracking straight. Pair the Aerostar G2 80A ESC and SK3 5055 motor with the right 6S LiPo battery and the Avios Spitfire Mk1a really wakes up.

Our go-to 6S LiPo batteries for the Avios Spitfire Mk1a

If you’re setting up an Avios Spitfire Mk1a for the first time, start in the 3400–4500mAh window and use an XT90 pack. These are the CNHL batteries we keep reaching for on the Avios Spitfire airframe:

• CNHL G+Plus 3000mAh 6S 70C XT90 (2-Pack Combo) – keeps the Spitfire Mk1a light and nimble for aerobatics.
  
• CNHL G+Plus 4000mAh 6S 70C XT90 – the battery most Avios Spitfire Mk1a pilots end up happiest with: solid power, good duration, easy CG. 
• CNHL 4500mAh 6S 30C XT90 – ideal when you want longer scale cruising on the Avios Mk1a.

Want the full list? See our curated Avios Spitfire Mk1a batteries collection.

Quick table: Avios Spitfire MkVb vs Avios Spitfire Mk1a

Bottom line

Still love your MkVb? Fair enough—it flies great. But if you want the friendlier stall, the orientation of that early scheme, and easier battery choices, the Avios Spitfire Mk1a is the upgrade that delivers. Match your Spitfire Mk1a with the right 6S LiPo battery and XT90 connector and the Avios Mk1a becomes the warbird you can’t stop flying.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Avios Spitfire Mk1a

Q: Can I use my Avios Spitfire MkVb batteries in the Avios Spitfire Mk1a?
A: Yes—if they’re 6S 3000–4000mAh with XT90. The Spitfire Mk1a also supports 6S 3400–4500mAh, so many pilots move to 4000–4500mAh on the Avios Mk1a for longer flights and easy CG.

Q: What 6S LiPo capacity feels best on the Avios Spitfire Mk1a?
A: On the Avios Spitfire airframe, 4000mAh 6S is the battery most Spitfire Mk1a pilots end up happiest with. Go 3000mAh for agility or 4500mAh for longer scale cruising.

Q: Which connector should I use for the Avios Spitfire Mk1a?
A: The ESC on the Avios Spitfire Mk1a uses XT90. All three recommended CNHL batteries are XT90, so they plug straight into the Avios Mk1a without adapters.

Q: Where can I find a list of batteries made for the Spitfire Mk1a?
A: We maintain a dedicated collection here: Avios Spitfire Mk1a batteries.