Special edition Rev I's...

[John Barresi]

There's a small batch of custom patriotic Rev I's on Revolution's web site, for anyone who is interested...

http://www.revkites.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66

Also heard in the rumor mill, we just might be seeing a limited run of Ron Gibian designed Revs coming though soon... Word has it, each kite will be unique.

Keep your eyes open for more news on this!

[CLTKiter]

I got my order in for the 4th of July. Should be getting it today...

[windofchange]

Mine is here already!!! Just arrived today! Whoo hoooo! What a beautiful kite

[REVflyer]

I was supposed to receive lucky #7 in time for the first Sunday fly at the Washington Monument in july, but alas I guess it wasn't ready to ship yet, . ... 'cause I haven't seen it as of today! I complained about that heavy leading edge sleeving material being used (and I think it's a nylon sail besides?)

My frame request was a 3 wrap center spar with 2 ply everywhere else, using four inch solid carbon ferrules. I'm hoping it's light enough to enjoy during the summer in the District of Columbia, but that's a real challenge for both the builder and flyer!

I'll let you know how it compares to our Ryv 1.6's for flight dynamics in challenging conditions.

-paul

maryland, usa

[REVflyer]

Ohhh, I forgot something!

I spoke with both Ben from Rev and Ron Gibian at Wildwood, YES they've come to an agreement. I discussed at length the materials to be used, if you plan to sell a kite for more than $400. Ron makes a beautiful art design, but if you're not a true quad~head the flight dynamics suffer from the builder's materiel choices.

I went over some of the modifications I'd expect on a custom Rev. I also sent Ben to some of the other quad masters, so they can discuss their modifications personally. "Little desireable details add labor costs, could necessitate different parts, therefore they'd only be offered on a custom and only AFTER Lolly's approval".

SIZE:

~ the best all around performance and most widely flown model by Revolution is the 1.5 size

MODEL:

~ The kite should have a huge wind range, maybe even vented, (but with covers, so you can keep most of the low end performance and visuals). The venting should be half the width of the stock model, but in the same locations.

SAIL:

~ the kite has to be a polyester sail and not thirteen layers thick either!

(1/2 ounce icarex is best for me), . . . better flight, longer lasting color and moisture proof performance.

~ back cut the graphics and edge bind with minimum weight as a critical concern. 9460 3M adhesive tape and a 1/4 inch fold-over is sufficient and just as durable if no-sew is considered.

~ I want 1-1/2 ounce leading edge sleeve. Nobody paying this kind of money is going to be draggin' the leading edge along the sand! The weight increase to 3.9 ounce dacron isn't worth the durability/strength provided. Tiny kevlar and 3.9 oz. dacron reinforcements, only as minimally necessary to prevent tear-thru or stretch, will suffice.

~ No mylar panels!

GRAPHICS:

~the kite has to look as good from behind and it does on the front side!

FRAME:

~ the framing members should not extend past the sail.

~ The kite should come with interchangable framing members, to tune for various conditions.

~ I prefer a tapered down spar, since there's very little sail at the points of the triangle anyway.

CONSTRUCTION:

~ I would expect small covers to be sewn over the elastic shock cord knots and washers, unless the knots can be hidden internally (like in the leading edge sleeve as an example)

~ The L.E. sleeve has to fit both the SLE frame and the skinny sticks to expand the wind range.

BRIDLE:

~ The birdle should be built closer to the frame along the leading edge and directly connect (solidly!) to the center of the leading edge, by dumpin' that long hinge used on the stock models.

~ The hinge where the two bridle leg components connect should NEVER exceed a 5/8" of an inch.

~ I'd prefer the bridle was entirely sewn, rather than having any knots to snag during slack line tricks

Naturally, I'd add the "training wheels" on the back and fly it on handles longer than the conditions warrant java script:emoticon(' ',%20'smid_16')

-paul

PS: Barbara would be thrilled to buy another custom Gibian REV, particularly at half price compared to the AKA's auction!java script:emoticon(' ',%20'smid_33')

[Penny Lingenfelter]

I spoke with Ben at Lincoln City. He's trying to get the custom made R/W/B Rev's at the Smithsonian for an event. Won't that be kewl.

He also shared how he is making his Rev's durable for people like me who are tough on a kite. I appreciate it.

BB

Penny

[windofchange]

Got my Custom Rev, stuck in the SLE leading edge (I have both the standard and the SLE), flew the crap out of it in winds that were ranging between 12 and 22 mph. The kite flew awesome, crashed it a couple of times kinda hard but it popped right back up in the air with no damage at all, everyone loved the custom graphics, everyone had a fun time taking turns flying it, and we all had a wonderful time.

I would suggest that they dont change a thing on it at all!!!

[REVflyer]

That darn thing better be light enough for my local conditions, or I'll kill Ben the next time I see him! AND I still haven't received my "lucky No 7" yet either.

Kent,

with winds like 12 to 22 mph, a man~hole cover should fly well! In my town, the schools would be closed for a whole week (due to poor weather conditions) if we had condtions like you've described! I need a kite that can perform in zero to 3 mph with excellent control and NOT a ton of effort by the flier either. It has to be durable enough to survive a sudden gust of 10 or 12 too. I would not get the condions you've described three times annually.

paul

maryland, usa

[windofchange]

Consistant 0 to 3 mph winds would drive me absolutly crazy. I have been spending a lot of time on the Benson Innerspace and the Premier Vapor when the winds are not cooperating properly. I also have an Indoor Rev that I really should spend a lot more time on than I do. Light wind flying is possible and can be very enjoyable...but we have a lot more good wind days than dead wind days here.

If you ever get the chance to head on out here to Vegas I will love to go out flying with you. Between the two of us we should have any wind condition mother nature throws at us covered! I got the vented's and SLE's, you take care of the ultra lights. Bring plenty of sun block cuz we'll be out on the flying field for hours!

[REVflyer]

same for me Kent!

If you get out this way to DC Metro area please look me and the rest of the WOW gang ( http://www.wowkiteclub.com ) up for day of quad-flying. At last count I had 43 Revs, about half of which are smaller than 40 inches across on the leading edge. We could try out modifications all day long until you decide what you'd like for those rare no-wind days back home.

There are half a dozen hard-core builders and quad-line fliers in our area who regularly get together on Sundays. Between the group, most possibilities or variables have been explored in both Spirits and Revolution kites.

Personally, I hate the wind 'cause I'm so used to flying without it. We fly indoors (with unlimited ceiling height though!) about six months out of the year. My most used kites are SULs, but having the "magic stix" on the back makes the frames much more durable. I fly 2 wrap frames into the low teens without venting the sail.

I finally received my patriotic Rev 1 from the factory yesterday. It's in big need of a "weight loss program" or I'll be testing it for the first time this fall! It could be so much lighter and still not weaken the durability.

It sure looks nice, thanks Ben for offering a custom option.