I first became aware of this project around 2 years ago when I was asked to fly one of the prototypes. A lot of development and flying has gone into it since then. I was lucky enough to borrow one of the final prototypes around Xmas 2012 and flew it from Tarmac and grass. This aeroplane was fitted with a JetCat P-60 and had amazing performance for the power available.
Several features make it stand out from the wood boxes available and its supplied with decent instruction manuals and has a range of accessories tailor made for the JSM (jet sports model) The epoxy glass fuselage has moulded wheel pockets, so no muck ends up in fuselage crevices or on radio/turbine electrics. The nose is removable so access is even better to batteries and forward mounted accessories. The large canopy removes with a single front screw (we tried spring clips but were never satisfied with the results) The wings mount on a carbon tube and they are retained by clamps situated in the wings at each end of the tube, tighten two allen screws and the wings are fixed. No chance of jammed or stiff wings. The large single flap element is fuselage mounted, so single flap servo only.
One of the prototypes used Behotec C-36 retracts, with modified AT legs to set the bench mark for the custom designed landing gear set. A moulded glass tank has also been produced giving long flight times even on the largest turbines fitted.
The fuselage is moulded to accept turbines no greater in diameter than 100mm, prototypes have been flown with a range of turbines up to the P-100Rx Jetcat. All the 54 case Wrens, Jets Munt type turbines will be ideal.
The first small batch arrives in England 2nd week in September and is already sold out-good news is its available from a large number of dealers, not one or two hard to reach specialists.
Two schemes will initially be offered, though this first batch is only the Sports scheme. The Military scheme will follow with more of the sports scheme. So far its only being distributed in Europe, but I'm sure someone in the US will take it on soon enough.
Ripmax specs and information.
The fuselage and canopy of the Xcalibur are superbly moulded from epoxy/glass, whilst the tailbooms and flying surfaces are constructed from CNC cut balsa and ply, beautifully assembled and then carefully covered with heatshrink film. The wings slide on to a substantial carbon fibre wing tube, being retained with neat moulded clamps, and the tailbooms can also be removed quickly for transport or storage. The Xcalibur is very quick to assemble, with excellent access to the turbine and on-board equipment, making maintenance and reliable operation much simpler. A specially designed fuel tank gives flight times of around the 10 minute mark, depending on the turbine being used and flying style.
• Fully aerobatic
• Perfect for grass flying fields
• Ideal for turbines from 50 to 100 Newton thrust
• Moulded epoxy/glass fuselage and canopy
• Removable nose section for easy access to batteries.
• Lightweight built-up and fully sheeted flying surfaces covered in film
• Moulded wheel wells stop the ingress of grass, small stones or water - protecting the valuable and vulnerable turbine
• Quick and easy assembly/disassembly for transport and storage
• Optional high volume fibreglass fuel tank available
• Super strong carbon fibre wing tube
• Superb flying characteristics
• Optional retract system with trailing link oleos available.
• Sleek aerodynamic design minimises drag allowing higher flying speeds
• Lightweight design and the effective flap enable exceptionally slow approaches and landings