New big Ripmax Xcalibur (Xcalibur+)
10-13-2017, 12:43 PM
#526
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If you have a nice long short grass strip, I’m sure it would be fine, but I’d only go with half a tank as the 100 would be up there for ages if you were running with a full Xcalibur plus tank. Also, you would be over 2kgs lighter at take off.
Simon
Simon
10-13-2017, 01:08 PM
#528
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I’d just put the big tank in, run it half full and see how she gets off the floor. If you find it okay the just add more fuel and fly longer. I had a 140 in mine and it would be off the floor in no time or distance and unless you were going vertical it didn’t need much more than half throttle.
The standard Xcalibur flies perfectly on a P60.
Simon
The standard Xcalibur flies perfectly on a P60.
Simon
03-11-2018, 01:29 PM
#530
After getting fed up with the increasing play on axles and other issues like a high air loss I discarded the original gear and bought the Elektron (Spanish made) electric gear. Made the first flights yesterday. Perfect!
Of course I need to get more flights to see if the wear and tear gets into this gear as well.
It comes at a price though, (list 880 euros!!!) although Elektron advertises it as a fitting gear, You need to beef up the landing gear formers as the mechanism and flanges are narrower. But you can discard all pneumatic stuff, just a small electronic unit, that's all there is to it. Way less building time if You buy it from the start. Now it was a few days work.
My Lipo that normally feeds the Unilight.com lights was replaced with a bigger one and now feeds also the gear/brakes.
Of course I need to get more flights to see if the wear and tear gets into this gear as well.
It comes at a price though, (list 880 euros!!!) although Elektron advertises it as a fitting gear, You need to beef up the landing gear formers as the mechanism and flanges are narrower. But you can discard all pneumatic stuff, just a small electronic unit, that's all there is to it. Way less building time if You buy it from the start. Now it was a few days work.
My Lipo that normally feeds the Unilight.com lights was replaced with a bigger one and now feeds also the gear/brakes.
03-11-2018, 10:08 PM
#531
Thread Starter
My air system still holds air and the model is coming up for 3 years old. Drop of silicon oil with the first fill of each weekends session stops it drying out. The pivot pin on the Main legs does wear with side ways landing loads, mine has some wear, but still perfectly useable.
Electron gear is solid, the Oleos are superb, but like you say for a price. You didn’t need a larger Li-Po with the Electrons, they hardly draw any current
Electron gear is solid, the Oleos are superb, but like you say for a price. You didn’t need a larger Li-Po with the Electrons, they hardly draw any current
03-12-2018, 01:00 AM
#532
Dave, good tip on the silicon oil, I have two more models on air, an Pirotti Tuono and an Skymaster MB339. I do have the (heavy) grease that one could buy with UP valves, but You need to disconnect the tubing at the gears to get it done, which is cumbersome.
I replaced the Lipo, as the Unilights would deplete a 2S/2200 for quite a bit on a longer day and to stay at the safe side I put an 3600 in it. Needed some more nose weight anyhow due to the removal of two airtanks, two mechanical valves plus servos plus the tubing, which were all in front of the CG.
The heavier strain on the gear can also be caused that on most flights I make anything between 3 and 5 touch and goes.
The only real drawback of this plane is that it should have been there 13 Years ago when I picked up flying jets!!!!
Would have made my entry in the jet scene easier as with the Spiderjets F16 (Ex Jim Ward's, Ex Yours and EX John Franklin's) together with an Hotspot...
I just love this baby, good flying, nice landings, good vis. I have planes I fly a lot that have "paid" themselves back. The Xcal sure belongs to those models now, and now I fly it w/o the "normal" jet induced belly stress... If I would loose it somehow, I would replace it immediately.
BTW-1 due to the CG balancing with the new gear I flew the first flight with a full tank (normally minus about one litre), and after flying 13 minutes I estimated I could have flown easy 20 minutes... In that respect my normal flying is somewhere in the 50-70% throttle position, and use full power only in T/O and vertical manoeuvres. Not bad for a WREN 160.
BTW-2 I checked a few times the max flat out speed at full throttle and it stops around 240 k/ph. I don't let is descent however during this test, too bad experience with the big ELAN... Final approach speed is around 70 km/h, although during the flare it might drop to less than 40 before actually touching with the tail skids first.
BTW-3 I would recommend to use the toe-out feature on the rudders to augment the air brake, especially with bigger engine's idle thrust. I have never more ran into hot approaches, they really decelerate very well and come at no trim change. Nice to know whenever You have an EF (which I didn't till now), You can aim very well.
I replaced the Lipo, as the Unilights would deplete a 2S/2200 for quite a bit on a longer day and to stay at the safe side I put an 3600 in it. Needed some more nose weight anyhow due to the removal of two airtanks, two mechanical valves plus servos plus the tubing, which were all in front of the CG.
The heavier strain on the gear can also be caused that on most flights I make anything between 3 and 5 touch and goes.
The only real drawback of this plane is that it should have been there 13 Years ago when I picked up flying jets!!!!
Would have made my entry in the jet scene easier as with the Spiderjets F16 (Ex Jim Ward's, Ex Yours and EX John Franklin's) together with an Hotspot...
I just love this baby, good flying, nice landings, good vis. I have planes I fly a lot that have "paid" themselves back. The Xcal sure belongs to those models now, and now I fly it w/o the "normal" jet induced belly stress... If I would loose it somehow, I would replace it immediately.
BTW-1 due to the CG balancing with the new gear I flew the first flight with a full tank (normally minus about one litre), and after flying 13 minutes I estimated I could have flown easy 20 minutes... In that respect my normal flying is somewhere in the 50-70% throttle position, and use full power only in T/O and vertical manoeuvres. Not bad for a WREN 160.
BTW-2 I checked a few times the max flat out speed at full throttle and it stops around 240 k/ph. I don't let is descent however during this test, too bad experience with the big ELAN... Final approach speed is around 70 km/h, although during the flare it might drop to less than 40 before actually touching with the tail skids first.
BTW-3 I would recommend to use the toe-out feature on the rudders to augment the air brake, especially with bigger engine's idle thrust. I have never more ran into hot approaches, they really decelerate very well and come at no trim change. Nice to know whenever You have an EF (which I didn't till now), You can aim very well.
Last edited by richbran; 03-12-2018 at 01:02 AM.
03-12-2018, 02:53 AM
#533
Thread Starter
Yes, silicon buggy shock oil. Literally one drop in the end of the air pipe is all that is needed. My models with Behotec, JT and UP valves none leak, the original Flash is now coming up for its 12th year all on the same gear, valve, tank-it holds air 2 days!
That F-16 was great!
Longest flight I have had is 22 minutes, but that was our grass club site just flying turn around within the patch, no full throttle at any time. My normal timer is set for 12 minutes with a P-140Rx and I always have some fuel left even with big manoeuvres.
Idle thrust on the JetCat is very low, so just 80 degrees flap is enough.
That F-16 was great!
Longest flight I have had is 22 minutes, but that was our grass club site just flying turn around within the patch, no full throttle at any time. My normal timer is set for 12 minutes with a P-140Rx and I always have some fuel left even with big manoeuvres.
Idle thrust on the JetCat is very low, so just 80 degrees flap is enough.
05-01-2018, 11:00 AM
#538
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Hi,
I'm considering an X+ for my next RC project (My first jet) if I'll find a place for it in my RC room.
Can some one kindly let me know what is the width of the plane itself without wings, booms or wing tube, and the length (nose to end of turbine)?
Thanks, Oscar.
I'm considering an X+ for my next RC project (My first jet) if I'll find a place for it in my RC room.
Can some one kindly let me know what is the width of the plane itself without wings, booms or wing tube, and the length (nose to end of turbine)?
Thanks, Oscar.
Last edited by OscarAlfa; 05-01-2018 at 11:02 AM.
05-02-2018, 11:00 AM
#541
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Turbine size
Turbine decision,
At first I thought about a KingTech K-160 for this bird, But I might have an option to get a used Merlin 200XBL for an attractive price.
Obviously 200N is to much for this bird but power aside, the 200XBL only weigh 70 grams more than the KingTech K-160.
I can always tune down the power to 160N max.
Opinions are welcome,
Thanks, Oscar.
At first I thought about a KingTech K-160 for this bird, But I might have an option to get a used Merlin 200XBL for an attractive price.
Obviously 200N is to much for this bird but power aside, the 200XBL only weigh 70 grams more than the KingTech K-160.
I can always tune down the power to 160N max.
Opinions are welcome,
Thanks, Oscar.
05-02-2018, 01:21 PM
#542
From the manual:- Warning: The Xcalibur+ has been designed to enable turbines of 80 to 160 Newtons thrust to
be installed, however it is VERY important to note that if turbines of over 120 Newtons thrust are
fitted, full power should not be used for any extended diving manoeuvres, as this will lead to speed
in excess of the design specifications. The use of full power in level flight or climbing manoeuvres
is completely acceptable. As the Xcalibur+ is a light and low drag airframe, turbines of more than
80 Newtons can have their maximum thrust level reduced within the ECU, which will in turn reduce
the fuel consumption and thus increase flight time, extending the period between services due to the
lower stress on the turbine yet still give the model superb performance including prolonged vertical
climbs.
I guess with a 200 size turbine even turned down, will result in a higher residual thrust at idle, however I am sure someone will have fitted a 200.
be installed, however it is VERY important to note that if turbines of over 120 Newtons thrust are
fitted, full power should not be used for any extended diving manoeuvres, as this will lead to speed
in excess of the design specifications. The use of full power in level flight or climbing manoeuvres
is completely acceptable. As the Xcalibur+ is a light and low drag airframe, turbines of more than
80 Newtons can have their maximum thrust level reduced within the ECU, which will in turn reduce
the fuel consumption and thus increase flight time, extending the period between services due to the
lower stress on the turbine yet still give the model superb performance including prolonged vertical
climbs.
I guess with a 200 size turbine even turned down, will result in a higher residual thrust at idle, however I am sure someone will have fitted a 200.
05-03-2018, 06:35 PM
#543
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Dave, is there something going on with the Xcalibur because global jet club says they won't get them back in stock for quite some time. They're the only ones you can get them through here in the U.S.
Jason
Jason
05-03-2018, 11:45 PM
#544
Thread Starter
World wide slow down on hobby, big numbers need manufacturing for cost and there are not the orders. I've only sold one Xcalibur (any size) in the last 7 months...
Here the number leaving the hobby and selling up, out number the people looking to buy/get into the hobby, so second hand airframes are fuelling the market enough.
Here the number leaving the hobby and selling up, out number the people looking to buy/get into the hobby, so second hand airframes are fuelling the market enough.
05-20-2018, 01:59 PM
#546
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I finally got my hawk scheme Xcalibur and was wondering how may of you used the factory control horns or did you replace them? I'm using a brand new Kingtech K-160G2 and trust me, I'm not a full throttle guy. I fly all my jets at half throttle straight and level. Just curious if the stock horns are safice or if they need replaced? Thanks.
Jason
Jason
05-21-2018, 03:54 AM
#550
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1 last question. Is the stock airline that comes with the landing gear 4mm or 1/8"? I'm only asking because I haven't got my landing gear yet because they forgot to put it in the box. I plan on using JMP fill valves and they come in 4mm or 1/8" size nipples.
Jason
Jason