Flying shells are missiles which allow Rayman to fly in the air. They are only found in the Buccaneer, more specifically in the Prison Ship level of Rayman 2. In Rayman Revolution, the flying shell can also be found in Rainbow Creek after the player frees the prisoners from the Prison Ship.

Rayman riding a flying shell in the Prison Ship
A flying shell

In Rayman Revolution, there an error in the cutscenes: the flying shell is a grey colour and looks like the flying shell from the Prison Ship level. During the battle, it is yellow, like the common walking shells.

Flying shells are generated by mechanical dispensers

During the development of Rayman 2, the flying shell didn't exist at first, being originally a walking shell running on the ceiling.[1]

References

  1. L'Histoire de Rayman, Chapter 3 - Rayman 2 : The Great Escape, or the challenge of the 3D