Xfly Models B1B Bomber 70mm

[Aros]

She's a beaut! Here's my buddy's...

[Dougcarr73]

It is finally here and all bits are in order. As soon as I’m done being a responsible adult, this is getting built.

[Aros]

Mine was shipped FedEx and was supposed to arrive this past Saturday between 10am and 2pm, which forced my girl to stick around (I was out of town) all day and of course they never showed. Tracking the tracking (heh) was hilarious. Showed it bouncing around all over the place. Finally arrived yesterday afternoon. I plan on digging into it on my lunch break. I'll post photos and thoughts.

[T- Elbert]

The B1B showed today 👍. First impressions
The packing had spacers glued in everywhere bit weird but plane was well secured and undamaged.
This is a good sized EDF, seems heavy but weight is ok.
Finish is very nice
For my first banana hobbies plane I am pleasantly surprised.

[SanExup]

T- Elbert I'm glad you got one. I can't wait to see it!

[kallend]

Exactly what happened with my L-39 from them. Unreadable bar code and then no updates. Ended up coming one day after the initial due date.

You're the third person I've heard of with the same problem. Perhaps they should get a new bar-code printer.

[T- Elbert]

It’s has been hard to get the guys ramped up here, we have had rain almost daily . I have been leaving planes in my truck, run to the field between rain storms.
on that note my B1 has been sitting 15 miles from my house for 3 days with fedex.

[Evan D]

Exactly what happened with my L-39 from them. Unreadable bar code and then no updates. Ended up coming one day after the initial due date.

[kallend]

Bit surprised this thread is still dormant since the B1B’s started shipping, it is not a freewing but I am still pretty stoked about it. Motion rolled out two fantastic jets this year.

According to FedEx mine had an unreadable shipping label and seems to be stuck in Arcadia, CA, as a result. It's made it a scant 8 miles so far, in 6 days.

Since they have all my information (or they couldn't have notified me of the problem) I don't see why it's taking so long to resolve.

[Evan D]

Same on RCG… also surprised at the few Cougar reports.

[T- Elbert]

Bit surprised this thread is still dormant since the B1B’s started shipping, it is not a freewing but I am still pretty stoked about it. Motion rolled out two fantastic jets this year.

[Eddie P]

Kallend… thanks again, for the post. I’ll have to seriously have a look at playing with this setup. I’m on the order list for the B-1 against my better judgment but figured it’s a cool aircraft and one I have always wanted but never considered there would be an easily available one for purchase. Yes, wish it were even bigger for 80mm but its still gonna be fun. Being that it’s not a candidate for heavy pulling for close-in vertical to begin with, it is therefore a candidate to add some weight and scale details to in this way.

[kallend]

Well, all those impatiently waiting for several months for their delivery could spend the time making a 4 tailpipe Do-It-Yourself afterburner controller from my design. The program and instructions are free and it runs on an Arduino that costs about $8 - $20 depending on where you get it. You can make the entire system for about $30, and maybe 3 hours of your time.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...DF-afterburner

Since I don't have a 4 engine model to use as a demo, here is a twin (the 4 engine version uses the same algorithms).

The ampltude and duration of the flickering are adjustable, as is the turn-on point and the way the brightness responds to throttle. You can make it look how YOU think it should look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUAX...el=JohnKallend

Since XFly didn't send me a demo model, I had to test the system using Dixie Cups.

The automatic exposure compensation on my camera makes the brightness change in response to throttle rather hard to see. And the flashing at the end of the video is the lost signal indication.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhUB...el=JohnKallend

The software and instructions are free to anyone interested. The parts will cost you around $30.

[kallend]

^ Agreed! With the exception of this X-Fly unedited video, I don't think the "PR" and marketing videos are over yet. The so-called "favored few" are still trying to sell, sell, sell. With 5 to 6 months to go, it's going to be hard to keep up the hype. It's just going to get boring and "plain jane" (pun) and maybe start to look like desperation. Pre-orders will begin to taper off quickly, possibly even buyers remorse and cancellations (IMO). Xfly would do well to get the usual FNRC, RCInformer, Petrincic Bros, RC Geek and others involved to build interest up just before the factory closes the first production run. Sales projections based on this far in advance (over)-hype don't do well. New stuff comes along and people "get over it".

Well, all those impatiently waiting for several months for their delivery could spend the time making a 4 tailpipe Do-It-Yourself afterburner controller from my design. The program and instructions are free and it runs on an Arduino that costs about $8 - $20 depending on where you get it. You can make the entire system for about $30, and maybe 3 hours of your time.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3313547-Make-a-Do-it-Yourself-EDF-afterburner

Since I don't have a 4 engine model to use as a demo, here is a twin (the 4 engine version uses the same algorithms).

The ampltude and duration of the flickering are adjustable, as is the turn-on point and the way the brightness responds to throttle. You can make it look how YOU think it should look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUAX...el=JohnKallend

[nuts-n-volts]

Each time he was way too fast. Too much rate. Didn't hold attitude either. Gyro? Well maybe, but I seriously doubt it. Ya gotta get her steady on the mains and at or just above the stall. I think everybody gets that.

Winds or no winds!

[xviper]

Recent video of the Xfly B-1B and Freewing B-2 flown together. Windsock would indicate the winds could have been upwards of 20mph. Considering the B-2 is best flown in calm (<5 mph), it did quite well and although the landing was not captured in the video, there were no crowd noises to indicate the landing was anything but good and the roll out into the pits looked like nothing bad had happened. If it was on the stock gyro, it looked like it did its job. Myself, I would not fly my B2 in such wind, so a testiment to that pilot's skill.
The B-1 appeared to be a very "wild" ride, particularly on the landing(s). They definitely need to tweak the gyro better as it was tossed around by the wind. Additionally, the roller coaster effect made it look as though the rates/expo were "off" or the CG was not in a good place or again, the gyro isn't doing much. The landing (2nd try) was scary but as nothing appeared to come flying off, the gear seemed to handle it not too badly. Personnally, I'd like to see more flights in various conditions before putting my money down for one. Regardless, I'll get one anyway, sooner or later. I'm hopeful that Xfly will get it all together for the production run.

[f4u ausie]

Yes little boys!,,,

[Aros]

I will remove any future posts that are only meant to cause division or "picking at old scabs". Civil debate and discourse is encouraged but inflaming is not. Carry on!

[xviper]

Please no more.

I'm done. I was done days ago. Of course, if he wants to pull on that scab again.........

[GliderGuy]

I reserve all judgment on new models until I see reports from actual paying customers with production versions. All else is marketing hype.

I hear ya loud and clear! My first “vertical-got-to-slow” climb in the MiG-29 after a few flights that ended in a high alpha lock and a “way over there, way down low, just barely saved it” recovery is something I don’t ever want to experience again. LOL - But it was a great radio range check event.

I’m gonna wait for PIREPS (and I will need a new radio, too). Plus…who knows what MRC has up its sleeve?!

-GG