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New big Ripmax Xcalibur (Xcalibur+)

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New big Ripmax Xcalibur (Xcalibur+)

Old 01-27-2015, 04:15 PM
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Dave Wilshere
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Default New big Ripmax Xcalibur (Xcalibur+)

Xcalibur +

Today at the Nuremberg toy fair the new larger Xcalibur + will be released to the world.
Almost from the first day the Xcalibur was released, we talked about a larger Xcalibur. Everyone knew the decision to limit the physical size of the turbine that could be installed in the Xcalibur affected the total number of possible customers and many sales were lost to people with turbines in the super popular 112mm case diameter size.
The fabulous response to the Xcalibur made the decision for Ripmax’s bosses easier and almost a year ago ideas learnt from the first model were bounced around and a tape measure studied to decide on a final wing span of a bigger version
The result is the Xcalibur+
Its 94” (2388mm) span gives fabulous presence in the air, super light wing loading and an airframe that still breaks down to fit in most cars. My “people mover” takes it easily with just the centre seat removed and as you will see in one of the shots I'll post, I found the boom/tail could be left together, wing spar passed back through to brace the booms. Placing this upside down with the spar across the two seats allowed other lighter models to be placed on top of the booms!
Assembly follows the same procedure as the smaller model with bolts fixing the booms to the fuselage, so wing pegs are not protruding. Even taking the booms apart for transport the whole assembly time is short. The wings still feature a clamp arrangement for securing-so quick assembly if you can leave the booms on!
The nose cone is now a sheath type, with a single cap screw fixing it in position from the point of the nose. This makes removal for battery access a breeze. Being larger everything is easy to access!
The fuel tank has been set at a little over 4 ltrs for a decent flight time, my mixed throttle flying on the P-180RX gave consistent 10-12 minute flights, with fuel to spare, even the low power testing with 85N (and longer full power times) gave 9-10 minute flights.
The gear is a larger version of the Xcalibur set, the spring rate on the legs is perfect, the larger wheels suit grass flying perfectly. The flight testing was on winter grass back in December (you can see the grass length and wet conditions in the video) and the Xcalibur+ gear coped really well.
The design team really nailed this one, initially it was thought that a couple of prototypes would be required, but right from the first flight with Ripmax, the message I received was one of excitement, they drove straight from the test field and delivered me the model you see here. The model memory set by Colin Straus was loaded into a spare 18MZ I use for their models and I was asked to fly it and report back.
I had high hopes for this model and knowing the old adage ‘Big is better’ I expected something even better than the brilliant Xcalibur, what I found proved to be everything I hoped for and more. The video you see is my second flight with the model, my camera man was short on time and had popped to our site in his wife’s sports car, leaving straight after the flight.
As usual, there were things that watching it back I missed doing. I’d also been told that this airframe needed to go to the Nuremberg Toy fair and there was not time to get another. I had four flights that day and each one showed more of the airframes capability. There was very little wind on the first day, yet landing on our short grass strip was easy, using flap only. Didn’t find any need for additional drag, but obviously CROW and split rudders are available, with the light wing loading this could almost be a STOL jet! It only weights 13.6kg (29lb) and does not require a tonne of nose weight. Ripmax built this model with three 2200 packs in the nose, so use three bigger packs and hardly any weight will be needed.
From the start I saw this airframe as something that would take P-80, P-90 and obviously the main turbine size being 120-140 size, knowing there were hundreds of units out there in this class looking for a home. The powers at Ripmax were a little surprised by the sheer size of the model when it first arrived from the factory, it’s literally a scaled up Xcalibur and the length is slightly greater than the span, so it is big!
I still had no doubt it would fly fine on the smaller power, but with the P-180RX installed being the very unit Colin Straus had tested for RCJI he had the precise RPM required to set it to 85N. This gave me another excuse to fly it some more J
The low power test was on a windier day, 12-15mph still with long damp winter grass. The ground run was not much more than you see in the video (unfortunately my video camera man was unavailable) It literally floated off the ground at quite low ground speed. Holding full power for the whole of the first circuit the Xcalibur+ felt solid, even in gustier conditions. It’s such a clean airframe that once wound up it holds the energy well. At takeoff the extra 8lb of fuel makes a difference, but loops and vertical climbs were all possible early in the flight and by the time the beeper went for half time, I did two reasonable diameter rolling loops with very little loss of energy over the top. Cameraman “little Stevie” was commenting all the way though the flight and we both agreed it was more than enough power, a bit like the std one powered by a P-60.
On the second flight I let Stevie have a go and he was impressed too, it’s even smoother than the standard size Xcalibur.
I had two more flights that day with the power turned back up and did some “extreme” testing on the airframe with hard square loops and as expected the airframe showed no signs of stress.
Production has started, but with the factories New Year shut down and long transit time it will be Spring time before we see the first delivery, still in plenty of time for this season.
The plan is to release it with four schemes. A Sports red, white, and green. A 2010 inspired Hawk scheme and the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels same as on the standard size. I cannot wait!


http://youtu.be/7CdcYxxV1Io
Old 01-27-2015, 04:31 PM
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Dave Wilshere
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Old 01-27-2015, 06:51 PM
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mort78
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Awesome Dave.... I'm sure it'll be a hit!
Old 01-27-2015, 09:35 PM
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Nice
Old 01-27-2015, 11:57 PM
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Dave Wilshere
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Yes, its a winner for sure.

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Old 01-28-2015, 12:53 AM
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Dave Wilshere
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This is the first take off with 85N thrust. You get an idea of the takeoff ground run, its about 50m!

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Old 01-28-2015, 07:20 AM
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Dansy
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Look good anymore photos of the inside ?
Old 01-28-2015, 09:07 AM
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Yes, not had as much free time today as I thought to post, here are a couple more. They are spread around a camera card!
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Old 01-28-2015, 12:19 PM
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Dansy
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Hey that's good for me.....plenty of space for a large smoke system......and a K210......hummm
Old 01-28-2015, 12:23 PM
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Dave Wilshere
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Yes, smoke tank can sit on top of main tank in the hatch. 160N max! It weights 13.6kg....
Old 01-28-2015, 01:44 PM
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Dave Wilshere
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Anyone cleverer than me to make the video appear as a screen? Couple of people asked me about video as they missed the link. I can't get it to work!
Thanks
Old 01-28-2015, 01:57 PM
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http://youtu.be/7CdcYxxV1Io Invoice is in the post Dave.

Last edited by Geoff White; 01-28-2015 at 02:00 PM.
Old 01-29-2015, 06:56 AM
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patf
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Any thoughts on cost yet? between these two, the boomer may not be so missed.
Old 01-29-2015, 07:33 AM
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Dave Wilshere
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Mike and the gang at GJC can help you there, we have prices in UK, sure they have priced it for the US market.

Dave

One of the provisional schemes we are looking at.

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Old 01-29-2015, 08:08 AM
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Dave are there any renderings of the sport scheme? I really like the original sport scheme. Will it be available as well? I have a p90 looking for a home for an everyday flier.
Old 01-29-2015, 08:11 AM
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Dave Wilshere
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I like it too, but switched things around a bit to make it obvious its a different version. Something like this...

Dave
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Old 01-29-2015, 08:31 AM
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patf
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wow. $2,195 from GJC
Old 01-29-2015, 08:47 AM
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Dave Wilshere
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I guess that's the go fly with Gear inc trailing link legs, valves, air tanks and moulded fuel tank.

Dave

Checked-yes it is. Also looks like there is a pre order special.

Last edited by Dave Wilshere; 01-29-2015 at 10:17 AM.
Old 01-29-2015, 08:57 AM
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tp777fo
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The small one is one of the best jets I have ever had. Bet the big one is going to be quite a hit!
Old 01-29-2015, 10:41 AM
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patf
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i am pretty sure that is about where a 'go fly' package for a boomer xl was.
Old 01-29-2015, 11:22 AM
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Dave Wilshere
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Its a lot better sorted package than the XL with proper manual and accessories fit for purpose. Taking with Mike they are sorting the pricing information.

Dave
Old 01-29-2015, 12:03 PM
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Dear Xcalibur fans, Yes, Global Jet Club have a batch of the + on order, and expect to getting them in May 2015. (If the port's not on strike again).

Our Price is $2195 for GJC combo, ARF Kit + Fuel Tank + Complete L/G set for North America

We would be running a promo sales of $1995.00 for pre-order crowd if order is placed by the Florida Jet, March 8, 2015.

Please contact Cindy, Jose, our our customer/member service department at [email protected] or call our Toll Free Number.

We would have these paint schemes available, T.Bird, Union Jack, and Sport.

Mike

[ATTACH]2068904[/IMG][ATTACH]2068904[/IMG]

T
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Old 01-30-2015, 03:21 AM
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Dave Wilshere
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Just off to Germany for the Nuremberg Fair, will be interesting to see how the European market feels about the Xcalibur+
Old 01-31-2015, 01:44 PM
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Dave Wilshere
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Just back from the Nuremberg Fair where the Xcalibur+ was on display! Ripmax say it's been very well received, just about the only new turbine model on display.
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Old 01-31-2015, 08:12 PM
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Stupid question but what are the 2 tubes on top of the fuel tank? Also, is there ever any talk of a clear canopy where a guy can put a pilot bust or something?

Jason

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