Old Fart w/X-Cell 60's

[Klankster]

OK, yes, I'm a relic. I haven't been flying in years but I still have a couple of X-Cell 60's and am going to be getting them back in the air soon. I just went down to the big hobby show in Chicago this past weekend and got fired up about flying again.

The last time I flew it was dusk and unfortunately decided to take one more lap around the field before landing. Big mistake, as I lost my orientation on the bird and dumped it into the ground on approach. We had just bought a big old house and between work and the renovations on it, I had little time to rebuild and get flying again. I had two spare kits, one was half-built. I have all sorts of spare parts on hand that I had stocked up on (all the stuff that usually gets trashed in a crash) so I figure I'll fly these birds until I run out of parts! :)

Anyway, I had been out of the loop for a while and didn't see any MA stuff at the Chicago show, and was wondering if they were still around. Nice to see that they are. When I mentioned I flew X-Cell 60's, everybody looked at me like I had just knuckle-walked out of a cave or something.

Interesting that all these new helis are 90-sized. Looks like they are aiming toward heavy-duty acrobatics, something I wasn't really into (I had started getting into rolls and loops but nothing more extreme yet).

Anyway, I thought I'd say hello. If anybody has spare X-Cell 60 parts they don't need anymore and want to unload, please contact me. My cave has a lot of room... :roll:

[DebianDog]

I DO know someone! Expect a PM.

Welcome and lets get flying! :hug:

[Peter]

I still have one that I fly occasionally!!!! and lots of spares too ........

[DavidH]

Klankster,
Miniature still has 90% of the parts for the XL 60. If you have the A Frame style frames that are one piece and have bend in them towards the bottom. That is the part that MA no longer manufactuers. They do have stacked aluminum or carbon fiber frame kits for your heli thou. As for the rest of the parts, they are still used in the MA helis that are manufactuered today.

David

[Alfred]

I still have mine which runs the old bent metal frame. Fully operational and flying.
As I also have a Fury Expert and a Stratus, I can say that the old 60 is still a great bird to fly.
I am sure that Peter can attest to this, as he is a MA fanatic and has quite a lot of them

[dave peers]

When i take them to the field the younger hot heads do not know what they are looking at !
yep still got mine an original metal 60 and metal 40, plus a carbon gs push/ pull with all the toys
and they STILL fly fantastic i think better than some of the so called good new ones.

still flying them now my youngest son is now learning on my metal 60 set up soft

i have a DADS set up n thats a heres my head my arse is a following !
as i rip up the field with a huge grin on my face
long may they keep flying

[TuDogs]

I also have two old X-cell 60s. One in the box, and one built. I need to go get them .They should still be stored in an old barn in SE Texas. They were bought in 1988 and I am not sure of the frame style.

I thought it might not be feasible to get them going, but after reading this thread you know, I am going to go get them and check it out.

Yes, they are good sport flyer's.

"another old fart"

[freya1]

I am also still flying my old X-Cell, it started life as the metal frame kit, but little by little it has changed into a more modern Heli and people don' t believe it is that old.
They still ask what brand it is.

[Alfred]

Niiice canopy :-)

I am using the same kind of Canopy, but it stills runs the original bent frame.
It also has got the 100% original tailgear box and that includes the gears.
The original clutch including Liner.
And the bird is now 18 years old and on it's 3rd engine.

[Hrob2Ate]

I just finished building an older X-Cell Carbon 60 SE and love the preformance of it. I went all out on this one, full metal head, YS 61st+ governor, GY502 gyro, extended carbon boom, Spektrum AR7000 reciever w/ all digi servos, and just for shits and giggles all nuts and bolts have anodized aluminum finish washers. I think it turned out rather well.

Keep Em Flying Boys.... :hug:

[Hrob2Ate]

FREYA1 ---- Great Paint !!!!!!!

[eggbeater]

Klankster,don't let anyone tell you that the x-cell 60 is a dinosaur. I have two 60 size x-cells(ST's),and they are better than most of the newer stuff being put out there.I have some of the so-called modern helis and they fly fine,.but the x-cells are more satisfying because are so well engineered and so durable. When properly set up they are still capable of outflying the abilities of most pilots.I don't believe in staying stuck in the past,but the x-cell 60 is not done yet.

[dave peers]

dont you just love em ! long will they keep flying
n going n going !

[xylqrm]

kudos to my brother for turning me on to the big boy toys! Love my Xcell 60. Its like flying a cadillac!

[Raven_darkcloud]

Maybe you can help me with this old x-cell. I picked it and a fury frame up at a funfly this weekend. The things people are willing to give away. what I need to know is how to put the ali/pitch setup together. is there another part to the ali servo tray other then what is in the picture?

[army67romeo]

what type of canopy is that where can you get the canopy style

[RC_Feen]

Here are some pic's of my X-Cell 60 SE that I picked up a few months ago from a local guy. The helicopter was on consignment at the LHS. Still need to get a manual for it and go over everything and finish it. I've always want and X-Cell helicopter and this deal was too good to pass up. Any idea what size blades I need for this bird. I'm not sure if the tail boom is stock or extended. I do know that it is carbon fiber. Many more questions to come once I start restoring/finishing it. Thanks! :thumbup:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f381/RC_Feen/X-Cell-60011.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f381/RC_Feen/X-Cell-60004.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f381/RC_Feen/X-Cell-60005.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f381/RC_Feen/X-Cell-60001.jpg

[Alfred]

Very nice bird you got there.
It is already running top gear and there should'n be any "restoring" required.
Running a CF boom, you should be well and good for 690mm blades.
From the looks of it, it runs a YS 61ST-2 engine with A Hatory muffler...good combo.
Stick with the FAI Blades..TG, Vblades will work also, but just stay in the upper weight range. Being a slightly heavier bird, the inertia of the heavier blades work well with those models.
Look around for 190gr ~ 210gr in weight per blade.

It will easily handle mild 3D (or rather smooth 3D).
Despite owning a Fury Expert and a Stratus, I love my X-Cell60. It's still a joy to fly.

[RC_Feen]

Thanks Alfred! Would you happen to know what type of starting wand I need to start this thing? I got a X-Cell starting wand but it looks like I need a small cone (which I have) to mount to the shaft to use the X-Cell starting wand. I'll take some pictures tonight of the two items. Thanks!

[Alfred]

Assuming that no cuts have been made into the Starter shaft, then the proper MA starter shaft is used.
This one consists of a flexible shaft (strong spring) which has attached two one way roller bearings. These fit directly over the shaft and start your engine.
The shaft directly clamps onto the Starter shaft of your Starter, so the normal metal/rubber cone of the Starter is removed and replaced with this Starter.
So you really need a dedicated Starter for the X-Cell.
I use a Dynatron Starter for all my X-Cell's but a smaller cheaper Starter could also be used.
The advantage of this system is that it won't ever leave marks on the shaft, as you normally get from your grub screws of the adaptors.
So when you have to remove the Clutchbell/Starter shaft of the heli, there is no issue to get it past the bearings.

[DavidH]

First, Yes that heli does have SE frames. If it was an original SE then someone removed the rotor head. The rotor head on the SE is all metal.
http://www.rchelibase.com/xcell/model/announce/1004.html
Here is a manual for a pre 98 SE. The only difference is the servo tray is different on the SE after 98.
http://www.rchelibase.com/xcell/se98manual.pdf
Here is the plan sheets
http://www.rchelibase.com/xcell/se98drawings.pdf

Here is the plan sheets for the 99 SE
http://www.rchelibase.com/xcell/model/plans/1004991.gif
http://www.rchelibase.com/xcell/model/plans/1004992.gif
http://www.rchelibase.com/xcell/model/plans/1004993.gif


As for starting wand. If you got the MA flex shaft starter extension. Then all you have to do is slip it on the clutch shaft when starting the engine. This is the flex shaft
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=MA4684

Get you some fully symetrical 180-185 gram blades. 680-700 mm in length. That heli will do 3D with any of the modern helis out there today. No reason to baby that heli, it is fully capable of anything you can think of to do with it.

David

[Alfred]

I knew you would come to the resque David :-)

[DavidH]

Well over the last 15 years. I have owned at least one of every nitro powered MA heli at one time or another. LOL

David

[RC_Feen]

David....Thanks for the info. From what the previous owner told me the heli started out as a 1003 CT that has many upgrades to make it almost a SE. It does have the metal head but plastic blade grips and plastic tail gear box housing. Pretty much everything is carbon fiber. Thanks for the links for the plans and all the documentation. Any suggestions on what electronics I should use to complete this bird? I plan on installing all new servo's, gyro, receiver and receiver battery. I'll be using my DX7 Tx with the heli. Also if I was to upgrade the tail gear box what would be suggested. This is my first X-Cell so I'm learning as I go but not unfamiliar with setting up helicopters. Thanks again. :thumbup:

[DavidH]

Yes I thought it was a CT. The CT is just like the SE but it has plastic grips on the rotor head. Plus the frames were aluminum. So I would think the previous owner put on the CF frames after repairing from a mishap.

Here is the plan sheets for the CT
http://www.rchelibase.com/xcell/model/plans/1003ct1.gif
http://www.rchelibase.com/xcell/model/plans/1003ct2.gif
http://www.rchelibase.com/xcell/model/plans/1003ct2.gif

The plastic gear box on the model will work just fine. But if your going to change it out. Then I would suggest this gear box.
http://www.miniatureaircraftusa.com/Store/proddetail.asp?prod=123%2D75

The open gear box is a nice setup.

David