Kit Cutters Completion Guide

Nick Ziroli Giant-Scale Short Kit

101" AT-6 Texan / SNJ

The legendary WWII trainer — the plane that taught a generation of pilots — in giant scale.

Buy the Kit — $456.00 See Everything You Need

Wingspan

101 in

Length

70 in

Scale

1/5

Wing Area

1,500 sq in

Weight (AUW)

24–32 lb

Power

50–75cc gas

Skill

Advanced

A Legend, Faithfully Cut

The North American AT-6 Texan was the most widely used training aircraft of WWII — 15,317 built, used by the USAAF, US Navy (as the SNJ), and virtually every Allied air force (as the Harvard). Nearly every American pilot who flew in the war learned in one. Ziroli's giant-scale version captures that iconic radial-engine trainer with the detail to match its history.

Kit Cutters supplies the precision laser-cut wood. This guide covers the rest: the honest, model-specific list of what you'll buy to complete it, with real sources for every part.

101-inch Ziroli AT-6 Texan giant-scale RC warbird trainer in flight

What's in the Box?

Included in the Short Kit

Precision laser-cut wood parts only — ribs, formers, shaped parts
Three-piece wing rib set
Fuselage formers and shaped parts

⬇ Download Pack List (PDF)

Required Separately

Plans / building instructions (buy from Ziroli — copyright)
Spars, sheeting, and stick balsa
Engine, cowl, canopy, landing gear, covering, finishing, electronics
Spinner, fuel tank, prop, servos, hardware

Everything Else You Need to Complete This Kit

Model-specific, with real sources. Where Ziroli sells a part directly, that's noted; where there's a choice (like gas vs. electric power), both paths are laid out.

Power System

Ziroli specifies 50–75cc gas (Zenoah G-62 shown on plan). Below is the gas spec plus a researched electric alternative.

GAS — designer spec

Engine	50–75cc gas (Zenoah G-62 shown on plan). DA-50R, DA-60, DA-70 suit the 24–32 lb weight range.	Desert Aircraft
Fuel tank	Dubro or B&B Specialties tank, sized to engine	Ziroli
Spinner	Size per plan and chosen engine	Tru-Turn
Engine offset	Per plan	Per plan

ELECTRIC — researched alternative

Motor	~50cc-class outrunner, 190–230 KV (e.g. Great Planes RimFire 50cc). Proven on 24–35 lb giant-scale warbirds.	AMain Hobbies / HobbyTown
Battery	12S LiPo (2x 6S in series). Two high-capacity packs ~5000 mAh+, high C-rating.	Specialty RC retailer
ESC	150–160A with generous margin	Specialty RC retailer
Prop	22"–24" (3- or 4-blade)	Falcon

Heads up — The Texan's radial cowl is a big air inlet — plan deliberate cooling routing so air actually flows past the motor and exits. Confirm your full setup in eCalc before buying.

Cowl

Designer sells

AT-6 Texan fiberglass cowl	Multi-layer fiberglass, 10" L x 10" front H x 10.5" rear H	Ziroli
AT-6 Texan air scoops	2x fiberglass belly air scoops	Ziroli

Canopy

2 options — choose your variant

AT-6 Texan 3-window canopy	Vac-formed .040" PET-G, frames molded in — USAAF/Harvard variant	Ziroli
AT-6 Texan 6-window canopy	Vac-formed .040" PET-G, frames molded in — alternate variant	Ziroli
Canopy rail set (warbirds)		Ziroli

Landing Gear

Retracts or fixed

Main retracts	Texan AT-6 Ziroli chassis — Geartech replacement for Robart	Ziroli
Air kit	Robart 157VRX w/ tank & quick disconnects	Ziroli
Retract control valve	Ultra Precision UP-8 retract control valve	Ziroli
Wheel housing	Scale wheel-well housing fairing	Ziroli
Fixed gear option	Fixed wire gear also detailed on the plan	Per plan

Decide on retracts vs. fixed gear before construction — the wing mounts differ.

Servos

6+ channels

Flaps	2x 120+ oz-in, metal gear, ball bearing	Builder preference
Ailerons	2x 90+ oz-in, ball bearing	Builder preference
Elevators	2x 90+ oz-in, ball bearing	Builder preference
Rudder	1x 120+ oz-in, ball bearing	Builder preference
Gear / Throttle	1x 50 oz-in each (throttle BB)	Builder preference

Covering & Finishing

Airframe	1 oz fiberglass cloth + ZAP Z-poxy finishing resin (Ziroli recommendation)	Chief Aircraft / specialty
Elevator, rudder & ailerons	Iron-on cloth (Solartex)	Specialty RC retailer
Vinyl graphics	4 schemes: USAAF Green/Yellow, USAAF Yellow, SNJ Navy Felix, SNJ Yellow Navy	Ziroli

Scale Accessories

All from Ziroli

Dummy radial engine	Vacuum-formed dummy engine for scale look inside the cowl	Ziroli
Pilot figure	WWII American USAAF or US Navy Pacific — choose your variant	Ziroli

Hardware

Wing tube	Aluminum wing tube and sleeve set (three-piece wing)	Ziroli
Control horns & linkages	Sized per plan	Specialty RC retailer
Hinges	Flat hinges or Robart hinge points	Robart / specialty

Detailed Specifications

Wingspan	101 in
Fuselage length	70 in
Scale	1/5 (2.4" = 1 ft)
Wing area	1,500 sq in
Weight (AUW)	24–32 lb
Wing loading	37–50 oz/sq ft
Power	50–75cc gas
Wing	Three-piece with flaps and retracts
Gear	Robart retracts or fixed wire gear (both shown on plan)
Cowl length	10" \| Front: 10" H \| Rear: 10.5" H
Min. radio channels	6+

Specs from Ziroli's published AT-6 Texan/SNJ plan. The AT-6 was also known as the SNJ (US Navy) and Harvard (Commonwealth). Two canopy options are available — 3-window or 6-window — choose the variant before ordering.

Nick Ziroli

Pioneer of giant-scale RC aviation, known for meticulous scale accuracy and structural integrity. Ziroli sells nearly every model-specific accessory for this kit directly, including multiple canopy and vinyl graphics options for both USAAF and US Navy variants.

(631) 467-4765 · Plans must be purchased separately from Ziroli (copyright).

Get Ziroli Plans

The Build Journey

Build time varies with experience and scale detail added. The Texan is a three-piece wing warbird with flaps and retracts. These are rough builder-reported ranges, not a fixed estimate.

Where a short kit saves you time

Ziroli's plans include full-size templates to cut every part by hand. The Texan's three-piece wing and full fuselage formers represent a significant cutting job. A Kit Cutters short kit removes that entire stage.

Plans only (hand-cut)

You trace and cut every rib, former, and wing panel from raw stock using the plan templates, then build.

more time, lower part cost

Short kit (laser-cut)

All three wing panels and fuselage parts arrive laser-cut and labeled. Skip straight to assembly.

less time, cleaner fit

The four stages of assembly

Stage 1: Fuselage Assembly

Building the main body.

Align and pin main formers
Install keel / crutch system
Plank the fuselage
Fit the radial engine box / motor mount

Stage 2: Wing Assembly

Three-piece wing with flaps and retract mounts.

Build the center section
Build port and starboard outer panels
Fit retract or fixed-gear mounts
Sheet and cap all three panels

Stage 3: Tail Assembly

Vertical and horizontal tail.

Build the horizontal stab
Build elevator surfaces
Assemble fin and rudder
Final-shape tail surfaces

Stage 4: Systems & Final Assembly

Putting it together.

Install gear & air plumbing
Final engine / motor fitment
Radio gear installation
Verify CG / balance

Frequently Asked Questions

The short kit is laser-cut wood parts only. To complete it you'll also need the Ziroli plans, spars and sheeting, an engine or electric power system, cowl, air scoops, canopy (choose 3- or 6-window), landing gear, servos, covering, and finishing supplies.

They're the same aircraft built for different customers. AT-6 was the US Army Air Forces designation, SNJ was the US Navy designation, and Harvard was the name used by the Commonwealth. Ziroli's plan covers all variants. The main visible difference is the canopy style.

Yes. The design is originally gas (50–75cc), but builders fly this class on a ~50cc outrunner around 190–230 KV on 12S LiPo. The radial cowl needs deliberate cooling airflow routing. See the Power System section.

Plans are purchased separately from Nick Ziroli at ziroligiantscaleplans.com (copyrighted). Kit Cutters supplies the laser-cut wood; Ziroli supplies the plans and most model-specific accessories.

It depends which variant you're building. Match your canopy to your chosen vinyl graphics scheme and check a reference photo of the specific variant you want to build.

Either. Ziroli's plan shows both Robart retracts and a fixed wire-gear option. Most builders use retracts. Decide before you build, as the wing mounts differ.

Ziroli specifies 50–75cc gas (Zenoah G-62 class shown on the plan). Desert Aircraft DA-50R, DA-60, or DA-70 also suit the 24–32 lb finished weight. Confirm cowl clearance before finalizing the mount.

101" wingspan, 70" length, 1,500 sq in of wing area at 1/5 scale. Typical all-up weight is 24–32 lb with a wing loading of 37–50 oz/sq ft. These figures come from Ziroli's published AT-6 Texan specification.

Ready to Build Your AT-6 Texan / SNJ?

Buy the 101" AT-6 Texan / SNJ Kit — $456.00

Prices and availability are subject to change — verify on each vendor's site before ordering. Kit Cutters supplies laser-cut wood parts only; plans and accessories are sold by their respective vendors.

Premium laser-cut short kits for large-scale and giant-scale radio-controlled aircraft builders. USA-based quality craftsmanship for serious hobbyists.