Xcalibur Plus

Always wanted the bigger version, so sold a jet I hadn't started and hopefully selling the standard Xcalibur at some point soon (seems a bit quiet on the jet selling front !)







Finished all the plumbing and wiring. Frustratingly the seller didn't include all the bolts for booms etc so it will be a day or two till they turn up. Hopefully set up cg tomorrow.

The Xcaliburs are such great jets to fly and don't take up much room in the car once broken down. Perfect model for my short grass strip.

Cheers,

Simon

Finally got it all put together to check cg. Needed 200g in nose to balance on the factory recommendation so might be able to take some out at a later date.

Well, she flies. Not the perfect maiden, but then nerves normally spoil a few of mine.

First issue was a missing wing bolt. Rather that drive an hour home I used one of the boom bolts with a spacer I found in my toolbox. Not pretty but it worked.

Flight went fine except wheels didn't retract. Had tested them numerous times but for some reason (which I still haven't found) I lost all my air. Was enjoying myself just blasting around in big circuits, wheels hanging down didn't really make much difference. A much bigger model in the air compared to the standard Xcalibur.

Next panic moment, I'd left my switch back in the wheels down position. My timer only counts when the wheels are retracted. I had no idea how long I'd been flying for. Quick pass with the flap down.............can't see a flap.....oh bugger is something going wrong. Anyway, ignored the issues and concentrated on the landing. There was a bit of a breeze and she just floated in (panic over).

Post flight, couldn't see anything wrong with retracts. Been left sitting for over 12 hours with both wheels up and down and the system loses no air. Flap was working fine, so maybe that was a blind panic issue (the belly and the flap are white, I've now added a contrasting sticker). However, when checking at home I could push the flap back a little against the servo which I don't think you should be able to do that easily, so swapped out the Savox 10kg for an Align DS610 which is rated at 12kg. Changed the linkage to get a better mechanical advantage (this was the only linkage I hadn't removed and checked over). You can't move it now when fully deployed.

Will hopefully fly again over the weekend and try to get a few pictures or video.

Simon

Only other issue was the coloured trim tearing away from the top and underside of the port wing. I've ironed it back down, so will just have to see how it fairs next time out and replace if necessary.

Simon

Very annoying Simon when the trim starts to peel off, problem is once it starts it don't know when to stop
seen a lot of people stick it down with CA,
But you don't expect I on a model of this calibre and cost
Looks nice and they do fly well I hear

It's frustrating but not the end of the world. I would normally give everything a quick iron over but the covering looked pretty good to me. Will fly again over the weekend. If it lifts again I will remove it and replace with some new trim.

I'm hoping my wheels will tuck away this time. Been out to shed tonight and it was still holding enough air to get 5 cycles on the retracts. Got no idea how or why it dumped the air on the maiden.

Simon

Your supposed to pump UM up before you fly
Just sods law

Well it's getting flown again tomorrow so will let you know if the wheels tuck away. I've tried everything and I can't make them fail or lose air. I guess I could have had a leg jam who knows. I have put a bit of grease on the slider mechanisms as they were bone dry. Don't want too much as it attracts the dirt and dust.

Before anyone says it.....I definitely put air in before I flew.
Simon

That's how I know Eric