it has been said that a Phantom II was in attendance at NABX and that MrPL himself had flown it.
Anybody got pics?
Paul

Believe me - I looked. They were flying something that COULD have been a prototype but the PL guys I talked to said it was a proto Scorpion - not a Phantom. Then they pulled out this orange thing...plain as could be but it looked more like a Scorpion than the one they said was the Scorpion.

So no. Don't know. I guess the tease of the "new toy to unveil" must have been the speed buggy? Mark me down in the "had my hopes up" category because yes - the rumors were FLYING that the Phantom 2 was there.

Quote:

Originally posted by macboy Believe me - I looked. They were flying something that COULD have been a prototype but the PL guys I talked to said it was a proto Scorpion - not a Phantom. Then they pulled out this orange thing...plain as could be but it looked more like a Scorpion than the one they said was the Scorpion. So no. Don't know. I guess the tease of the "new toy to unveil" must have been the speed buggy? Mark me down in the "had my hopes up" category because yes - the rumors were FLYING that the Phantom 2 was there.

interesting... a Scorp III eh!?
how did the PL record (was it just ARCs or FBs too) attempt go?
what about the PL Speed bug, what's the top speed on that? I heard one of the Dutch riders got up to speed but not better than the record on their personal bug.

I only ever saw them flying the Arcs in that thing. Arie had brought a cowling for his bug too but I don't think the winds were ever what they were Tuesday/Wednesday to really give it a go. (He might have used it Tuesday - we didn't arrive until late.) I think he was the one that took the PL speed bug out and if so you can bet he probably flew a Reactor II (there were LOTS of them right next door with Rip & crew...such a nice looking kite.....looks like they're made for nothing but business). Can't wait to get mine - traded off my V16 for sodman's 5.5.

Dude - we GOTTA find some room to run. I got the bug for the bug hardcore now......I can't tell you how many times I would have pulled over to take the bug for a rip on the way down here (Yuma). Thank God I didn't sit in one of the Flexi bugs to see how they strap in

I heard the Phanny2 proto was purple. Not sure though.

Yeah, that's the one I'd say coulda woulda been it but that's the one the dude said was the Scorp....I'll back your hunch on it being a Phanny.....

PL said orange was Scorp proto (an old one?)

the purple had a VPC thing, looked like a venom kinda boxy. in 16m/19m range. AR did not look to be in the phantom category.

nice talking with you LAD , cool stereo camera!

Quote:

Originally posted by macboy I only ever saw them flying the Arcs in that thing. Arie had brought a cowling for his bug too but I don't think the winds were ever what they were Tuesday/Wednesday to really give it a go. (He might have used it Tuesday - we didn't arrive until late.) I think he was the one that took the PL speed bug out and if so you can bet he probably flew a Reactor II (there were LOTS of them right next door with Rip & crew...such a nice looking kite.....looks like they're made for nothing but business). Can't wait to get mine - traded off my V16 for sodman's 5.5. Dude - we GOTTA find some room to run. I got the bug for the bug hardcore now......I can't tell you how many times I would have pulled over to take the bug for a rip on the way down here (Yuma). Thank God I didn't sit in one of the Flexi bugs to see how they strap in

Rip sent me a 6.9 meter RII (i haven't even flown it yet )
actually did (re)discover a pretty good spot yesterday. there is a toddler play ground adjacent to large, high grade, grass field adjacent to a completely empty subdivision. the subdivision is hilly in that 'they' dug/installed sewer system/manhole bases. the excavations are really gently sloped though and not very deep. I walked most of the area while wife and Spencer were at the playground. the low spots are moist but there are plenty of dry spots to get through. it's all stripped to clay base so weeds are minimal.
old photo does not show playground and stuff...the green/grassy area now extends quite a bit further to the southeast. the golf course is to the east.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&...
there is always the rugby grounds also and whatever you can find on south side.

There were a 9 and 12m prototype Phantom II right there in the PL kite camper. I really hoped to take out the 9 on Saturday but for some reason it didn't work out. To my knowledge, the Phanny II's never were unfolded there. It was on my to do list but just didn't happen. The 9m would've been rockin too. After the Phanny II looked like it wasn't coming out, I put up my 15m Phantom and was completely depowered and in full survival mode with it. I could've made a speed run with it but would've had to just cut the kite loose at the end of the run. Nowhere to hide from the wind hungry power that thing has. On the hard fast surface of the playa, the Phanny just gobbles up wind and magnifies it like a supercharger enhances power in a gas engine. Wind hits kite and builds speed, which increases power, which increases speed, which increases power............ You get the picture. :shocked2: I'm used to throwing that kite around like a toy on the beach or grass but hardly ever brought it down from zenith for a half hour (while Bladerunner was taunting me flying his 10m Charger :ticking: to be continued :Ange09: ) I asked for any indication of the timeline for release and was told "when everyone is happy with it". It is still pre-production at this time.

I asked Peter about the PII, saying the Phanny was a "cult kite." He said that he was a Phantom fan too, and (at his age) he wanted something more stable to fly and be able to look away from sometimes. I think he mentioned something about a PII being able to turn faster but still be stable. His attention was divided between watching his anemometer and his new buggy.

everything about that was cool, the bug, the kite, the lakebed (i couldnt go to)

way cool... looks slightly to "fat" to be a phanny... scorp 3, right on!

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Originally posted by Drewculous everything about that was cool, the bug, the kite, the lakebed (i couldnt go to) way cool... looks slightly to "fat" to be a phanny... scorp 3, right on!

I don't think it is a current prototype but a proto from previous development to create the Scorpion. AJ has one of those too and has had it for years.

Yes, I think that is the case - I saw AJ flying his green proto at Treasure Island in Jan.

you guys must have seen it, it was the Purple (top skin) and the Green (bottom skin) one

PL NZ asked PL NL to use it

Vapors are still the fastest FB kite around. however for the depower guys, i can see the Phanny II being the speed kite for ya.

Quote:

PL NZ asked PL NL to use it

It was the other way around Rip, we asked the NZ guys to test it for us.
We're in a stage where we only want PL affiliated people to test, but it was out there.

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Originally posted by -mj- Quote: PL NZ asked PL NL to use it It was the other way around Rip, we asked the NZ guys to test it for us. We're in a stage where we only want PL affiliated people to test, but it was out there.

sweet, please send me the proto to Vancouver, BC, Canada

BR, Coolbreeze, TDMC96 and myself will demo it.

hehehee :wee:

no! just bring it on and release the phantom II, asap ! i need a high AR , lightweight and light wind Arc !
and please make a deluxe fabric option. owners of flysurfer kites regularly attest the deluxe cloth kites better flying characteristics, even in higher winds where one would think that lighter fabric makes no sense..

appears the PL boyz screwed up again....................what an awesome venue to have folks demo the proto..........................might I recommend a marketing 101 class....................:eureka::duh::duh:

I saw the purple/green thing . seemed 15m+ size.

yes tri, right there ..idle hands and all.

20 mph wind, fresh kite .... there are reasons for everything.

no worries, it COULD show up at JIBE. certainly possible , i have no real idea though.


.

I actually thought I had a flight worked out for it on Saturday and didn't really understand when I got some resistance from MJ on me flying it. When I felt the reluctance I of course didn't push any. I'm sure they have their reasons, but it was touted as "might have something special at NABX". I felt that being a dealer team rider, and current Phantom owner and lover would at least put me on the "B" list to try it out. Turns out there isn't a "B" list. Possibly it is still too far from release to have negative press floating around, if there are issues still to be worked out before it goes to production. In conversations I had regarding me flying it, I asked if it was ok for me to speak about my impressions of the kite publicly and got an immediate "yes". The original design plans for the Phantom are no longer available so this kite started from scratch pretty much, aside from design cues that can be pulled from old Phantom kites. I'm trying my best to save up some kite fund money to be able to get a 9m and or a 12m when the P2s come out.

I know Im on the outside looking in and all of you that know me know Im not one to "sugar" coat it................seems a bit of dangling the carrot but again thats my opinion.............secondly, if it wasnt ready then why bring it..................................etc etc etc this seems all too familiar after watching the delays on the Charger and the Nav bar...................great kites the arcs are and Im all about promoting them and again this venue was ideal........................still wanting a 12m hopefully before I hit "55""..............hint hint:duh::duh::o:duh:

its ready when its ready.

the channels of communication are vague and hierarchy is even more of a mystery.

a flying proto may "look" good to go, but glue, stitches and tuck here and there may not be ready for full on stretched out run. i certainly do not want some "maybe ok" air bag cracking open on me 10-15ft up.