Personally I have only been into flying X-Cell's since the mid 90's. To assist me in this effort, an X-Cell History  thread was created on the RunRyder board and assistance was solicited.

In the X-Cell history thread, the late Laurel Koll talked about buying "the first X-cell that Lester Goldsmith, Action Hobby Shop in Memphis received on August 22, 1987 for $460. It was serial #233. In 1990 he still had the original box, parts list dated July 1987, original plans and instruction manual".

Laurel wrote "I had been talking to MINAIR every week in July and August, 1987, and they gave their standard answer, that they would be ready in about 'two weeks'. Finally, he called and talked to Walt Schoonard who said the UPS trucks were lined up loading them out, as they talked. I couldn't wait for Lester to get it, Laurel said, and he called me the minute it came in. Never have I regretted it for one moment. It's the most fun a man can have with his britches on."

Laurel had just sold that machine in late 2002 "flying it most every week all them years. It progressed as the wrecks occurred, and as desired updates became available, to a modern, carbon graphite everything. It was a real bad a$$, and many of the pilots from all over the south done their first loops, rolls and inverted flying with it. It even taught Dave Harkey a trick or two It is shown flying inverted by Dave Storey as a background on my home page ."

This testimonial speaks highly of the longevity and upgrade capability of the X-Cell models. X-Cell has always strived to maintain downward parts compatibility  with its older models. Many of the current X-Cells flying today started life as a bent frame basic or advanced model. Crashes, parts evolution and just the desire to upgrade has evolved them to an unrecognizable model.

I myself currently fly what was once a 1995 model 1001 bent frame design which is no longer recognizable as such. With it's carbon frames, long main shaft. Pro II head, constant tail drive, torque tube, HD front transmission, 31.5" boom, dual wide mount boom supports, graphite fins, 680 carbon blades and fiberglass canopy it just doesn't match anything on this site.

In purchasing a used X-Cell you too will run into these situations. Most of these models, although not documented, are well cared for and may be  "better than original" and equal to some current versions.

Depending upon the upgrades applied, this section should  assist you in determining the original model and the vintage of the upgrades.

I wish to thank the following individuals for assistance in this effort:

My good friend Jay McDonald
The late Laurel Koll
The RunRyder support group

Most plan sheets compliments
BBT-Big Boys Toys
Thanks Michael

Many of the photo I took myself, however I have plagiarized many of the parts photo's from the web including the Miniature Aircraft site and Rick's

And to anybody I missed, I apologize.

Thank you all - Al Coelho