I buy my AXNs from Low Price RC as their price is right and their delivery is faster than many others.
I am running the standard motor with a Dualsky 45A ESC. I have been told about a Scorpion motor and I'll look into this for giggles next week.
As my previous posts show I have reinforced this bad boy everywhere except the aft fuselage. I seem to do more front end damage and it's not very often I reverse my AXN into the ground
Servos are E-flite digital sub-micro 7g. I had to use extension leads so the aileron servos would reach the Rx because I am running them individually from channels one and six (hence not using the supplied Y lead). As this created additional plugs and excess wiring, I tucked them down beside the servos to keep them out of the way. I also placed a straightened paper clip into the foam with a bit of CA to hold all of the wires down and I've cut the elevator and rudder control rods shorter to avoid the issue of the standard length rods hitting the battery and Rx wires on full throws.
As I mentioned the ESC is well back in the body so as to ensure there is enough space for everything to fit comfortably, which I think will also reduce heat. I have to say that the ESCs I have been using from China (30A) have done really well and only get mildly warm. I am told the standard HK ESC units are only 20A and have some problems with reliability as they get very hot - some have even fizzled out. If what I have learned is true, a slightly higher than required amperage ESC makes for a cooler ESC and motor.
I have not decided which radio unit to run with this yet, but it will probably be my Spektrum DX6i unless I decide to buy a 6 channel Futaba Rx. The last crash with my 6208SB popped the bottom cover off and I don't want to break my $200 Rx in a $40 plane...
The Spektrum Rx units are a better fit due to their orientation, the Futaba would require an amount of foam to be removed as the plugs go in the end, while the Spektrum allows the leads to run into the front. The Futaba is also slightly bigger being an 8 channel over the 6 channels of the Spektrum.
All that said I hope this has answered the questions and please feel free to ask any others. I hope to maiden this plane in the next two to four weeks, but I want to gain more experience with the MkII first.
"I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter." Winston Churchill