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Lou Andrews/Aamco Sportmaster

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Pbbe...@primenet.com

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Oct 27, 1996, 2:00:00 AM10/27/96
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In <a1b7cc$142b2e.151@NEWS>, brit...@cdnet.cod.edu (Bill Brittain) writes:
>I had one back in 1970. I had an Enya .60 in it and it was one
>outstanding aircraft. It had no bad habits and flew like a dream. I
>also agree with you on the quality of the kit.

What a coincidence - I also inherited an Enya .60 that I was going to use in it,
provided I can find a muffler and plugs for the holes on either sides of the
exhaust manifold. You know a kit is old when neither the plans nor the
inlcluded photos mention or show a muffler of any kind on a .60 size plane :-).

Cheers,
Brad

Pbbe...@primenet.com

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Oct 27, 1996, 2:00:00 AM10/27/96
to

Has anyone heard of this plane? I inherited a kit of this aircraft about 8 years ago
from my uncle, who had bought out a hobby shop. I've completed the tail and
almost have the wing done. So far, it's been an absolute pleasure to build - the
die cutting is excellent (better than the Great Planes Spirit 2m and Cherokee 40,
which I thought was good) and everything fits perfectly.

The kit was designed in 1967, and the Kraft servos shown on the plans are
about twice the size of a Futaba S148(!), and this particular kit itself is about
13 years I think. No bad balsa yet, either.

If anyone has flown one, I'd appreciate hearing about the flying qualities of the
plane. It has a fully symetrical airfoil, and it claims to be able to perform all the
"new" freestyle manuvers (remember, the plans were drawn in 1967 :-). I'm
adding flaps to it for kicks, but otherwise it will be built following the plans
exactly.

Thanks,
Brad

Marianne Field

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Oct 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/28/96
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Ed Cregger wrote:
>
> Does anyone remember the forty sized version called the Trainer Master?
> Also a very nice building and flying airplane. I built my first Trainer
> Master in 1970 and my second in 1973. Very rugged and good to look at. I
> used an OS.40P in the first and later a K&B .40 for the second. Both
> models/engines were great.
>
> Ed Cregger
> ecre...@water.waterw.com

Yup, I had a Trainer Master also. As a matter of fact I grew up in
Danvers Mass where Lew Andrews had his factory at the time. Lew was also
a member of the Cape Ann R/C club and let us hold our monthly meetings
in his factory before it was destroyed by a fire in the 70s. I always
looked forward to the club meetings so I could snoop around and see if
any new models where on the drawing board.

--
Wayne Field
Digital Equipment Corp
Littleton Mass, USA
WFi...@mail.dec.com

rebe...@prairienet.org

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Oct 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/28/96
to

I built one of these birds in the 70's. The flight charac-
teristics were wonderful! I used a Fox Eagle II .60 on it,
and when I traded it to another flyer, he put a Merco .61
with a Perry carb on it and got excellent results. It was
one of the few planes I have ever flown that could easily
do square loops to perfection. I did not notice any reason
to install flaps on this machine. The plane flies very
smoothly, however when you apply a control, the response
was instant and solid. The only reason the plane is not
around, is because the second owner of the plane let a
neophyte flier fly it and he crashed it on landing one
day. Have fun and enjoy.....RON

--

Bill Brittain

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Oct 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/28/96
to

Pbbe...@primenet.com wrote:

>Thanks,
>Brad

I had one back in 1970. I had an Enya .60 in it and it was one


outstanding aircraft. It had no bad habits and flew like a dream. I
also agree with you on the quality of the kit.


*********************************************************
* Bill Brittain * brit...@cdnet.cod.edu *
* Network Analyst IV * Voice 1.630.942.2615 *
* College of DuPage * FAX 1.630.790.0325 *
* Glen Ellyn,IL 60137 * *
*********************************************************

Jerel Zarestky

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Oct 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/28/96
to

Pbbe...@primenet.com wrote:
>
> Has anyone heard of this plane? I inherited a kit of this aircraft about 8 years ago
> from my uncle, who had bought out a hobby shop. I've completed the tail and
> almost have the wing done. So far, it's been an absolute pleasure to build - the
> die cutting is excellent (better than the Great Planes Spirit 2m and Cherokee 40,
> which I thought was good) and everything fits perfectly.
>
> The kit was designed in 1967, and the Kraft servos shown on the plans are
> about twice the size of a Futaba S148(!), and this particular kit itself is about
> 13 years I think. No bad balsa yet, either.
>
> If anyone has flown one, I'd appreciate hearing about the flying qualities of the
> plane. It has a fully symetrical airfoil, and it claims to be able to perform all the
> "new" freestyle manuvers (remember, the plans were drawn in 1967 :-). I'm
> adding flaps to it for kicks, but otherwise it will be built following the plans
> exactly.
>

I flew one that belonged to a friend of mine. A very good airplane. I
didn't build it but I built the Andrews Aeromaster and I don't think
I've ever seen better kits and Aamco. The Sportmaster had a lot of wing
area so takeoffs were simple and it floated on landing. It's a bit
"draggy"; the fuselage was fairly large (it was basically a one (large)
wing Aeromaster). It should be a fun airplane. I believe there was
also a .40 sized version called the "Trainermaster" (?).

Jerel


--
Jerel Zarestky
Neutron Scattering Group
Ames Laboratory / ISU @ Oak Ridge National Laboratory
http://scatterbrain.ssd.ornl.gov/NSatHFIR/NSatHFIR.html

Ed Cregger

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Oct 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/28/96
to

Ronald Van putte

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Oct 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/29/96
to

Yes, I remember the Trainermaster. I built one in 1972 and flew it for
several years until I put the first (and last) scratch on it when the
battery pack "went south". By the way, why don't we who live in the
south say, "went north"? Anyway, the Trainermaster was a wonderful
airplane and I wish it was still kitted. Mine had an Enya 45 in it.

Ron


ALaska2053

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Oct 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/29/96
to

In article <550tmo$o...@nnrp1.news.primenet.com>, Pbbe...@primenet.com
writes:

>If anyone has flown one, I'd appreciate hearing about the flying
qualities of
>the
>plane. It has a fully symetrical airfoil, and it claims to be able to
perform
>all the
>"new" freestyle manuvers (remember, the plans were drawn in 1967 :-).
I'm
>adding flaps to it for kicks, but otherwise it will be built following
the
>plans
>exactly.
>

>Thanks,
>Brad

I think they ( great planes) renamed it the super sportster. should fly
just fine.

Andy.

dgam...@nbnet.nb.ca

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Oct 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/29/96
to

> Pbbe...@primenet.com writes:
> Has anyone heard of this plane? I inherited a kit of this aircraft about 8 years ago
> from my uncle, who had bought out a hobby shop. I've completed the tail and
> almost have the wing done. So far, it's been an absolute pleasure to build - the
> die cutting is excellent (better than the Great Planes Spirit 2m and Cherokee 40,
> which I thought was good) and everything fits perfectly.
>
> The kit was designed in 1967, and the Kraft servos shown on the plans are
> about twice the size of a Futaba S148(!), and this particular kit itself is about
> 13 years I think. No bad balsa yet, either.
>
> If anyone has flown one, I'd appreciate hearing about the flying qualities of the
> plane. It has a fully symetrical airfoil, and it claims to be able to perform all the
> "new" freestyle manuvers (remember, the plans were drawn in 1967 :-). I'm
> adding flaps to it for kicks, but otherwise it will be built following the plans
> exactly.
>
> Thanks,
> Brad
>
>>>>Brad ... U have a beaut!...

Ever since I saw a guy do a shoulder high slloooowww roll with
one of these (one complere roll in 12-13 hundred ft. distance) I have always
been impressed with the Aeromaster. U are gonna enjoy this!!

Legendary flying qualities, in the company of greatness, like the VK
Cherokee etc. ......

Have fun ! ...... Dave

bbe...@primenet.com

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Oct 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/29/96
to

Thanks to everyone for the responses - I'm really looking forward to flying this
plane after reading all of the positive comments. I'll have the wing done this
week, providing the retracts for my main project don't arrive (hey, it's been four
weeks already, so I'm not holding my breath) and the fuse looks like it should
go together pretty easily.

One other change I decided to make was to bold the wing to the fuse instead of
using the rubber bands - pretty minor.

On the same note - I believe someone said that this plane was basically a
monoplane version of the Aeromaster, now kitted by Great Planes. If that's
the case, does anyone know if the canopy from that plane will fit the
Sportmaster? The design calls for an open canopy, with an optional closed
style available directly from Aamco - but they are out of business.

Thanks,
Brad

Walter, H, Senour

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Oct 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/29/96
to

Pbbe...@primenet.com wrote:
>
> Has anyone heard of this plane? I inherited a kit of this aircraft about 8 years ago
> from my uncle, who had bought out a hobby shop. I've completed the tail and
> almost have the wing done. So far, it's been an absolute pleasure to build - the
> die cutting is excellent (better than the Great Planes Spirit 2m and Cherokee 40,
> which I thought was good) and everything fits perfectly.
>
> The kit was designed in 1967, and the Kraft servos shown on the plans are
> about twice the size of a Futaba S148(!), and this particular kit itself is about
> 13 years I think. No bad balsa yet, either.
>
> If anyone has flown one, I'd appreciate hearing about the flying qualities of the
> plane. It has a fully symetrical airfoil, and it claims to be able to perform all the
> "new" freestyle manuvers (remember, the plans were drawn in 1967 :-). I'm
> adding flaps to it for kicks, but otherwise it will be built following the plans
> exactly.
>
> Thanks,
> Brad============================
All the Lou Andrews Kits flew great! The Sportmaster was a 60 size
design that was just a lot of fun to fly around. I would think it
would fly alot like a Great Planes Sportster 60. There's more roll
coupling with the rudder than what most would prefer and it certainly
wouldn't be a choice for precision aerobatics, but if you're a Sunday
flyer - have fun!! With todays engines, it should perform better than I
remember!

I've always thought the "H-Ray" was one of the best trainers (25 size)
ever designed and kitted!

"ICEMAN"
AMA 33699

SPuck99

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Oct 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/29/96
to

I had a Trainermaster back in the early 70's. Great flying planes.
Brings back old memories. I wish Great Planes would bring these planes
back!!!!
Stan in Indy

Howard McCollister

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Oct 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/29/96
to bbe...@primenet.com

bbe...@primenet.com wrote:
>

>
> On the same note - I believe someone said that this plane was basically a
> monoplane version of the Aeromaster, now kitted by Great Planes. If that's
> the case, does anyone know if the canopy from that plane will fit the
> Sportmaster? The design calls for an open canopy, with an optional closed
> style available directly from Aamco - but they are out of business.
>


I'd be surprised if it didn't fit. The completed Aeromaster I just
bought from a guy uses the same landing gear as the Aeromaster I
completed about 20 years ago, so I suspect it's the same kit. Don't ask
me why I save the landing gear.

I'll bet you could also use the cowl and wheel pants, preformed ABS,
that are included with the current Aeromaster kit.. The canopy is sold
separately in the Tower Hobbies catalogue. The cowl and wheel pants are
sold together on the same page as the Aeromaster canopy.

H McCollister

Pete Kerez

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Oct 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/29/96
to

In article <554ccd$3...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, alask...@aol.com
(ALaska2053) writes:

> I think they ( great planes) renamed it the super sportster. should fly
>just fine.

According to RCM publisher Don Dewey, Super Sportsters were originally
"RCM Super Sportster" and Joe Bridi designed. Great Planes bought the
"Super Sportster" designation without the "RCM" part. I learned this
while doing research for R/C Report's product test report of the GP Super
Sportster 40 Mk II.

The design is so heavily Andrews influenced that I originally thought
that he was responsible for it.

I have the December 1974 issue of RCM with a Bridi Enterprises ad (pp. 8
& 9) showing an "RCM Sportster" taildragger with a less "Cubby" looking
vertical fin and rudder. The same ad shows "Super Kaos" 40 & 60.

The lengthy life span of these designs is truly remarkable to me. So
much time has passed yet the flight characteristics still have not been
very much improved upon (the kits have, though) and they are still in
production in many incarnations.

Pete Kerezman (pete...@aol.com)
Kingsville, Texas AMA 59376

Howard McCollister

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Oct 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/29/96
to

After Lou Andrew's factory was destroyed by fire, wan't the Aeromaster
design picked up by Airtronics? I remember building an Aeromaster, then
building a new version called the Aeromaster Too, which was the same
fuselage design with some optional wing congifurations.

Joe Bridi had a number of designs out there. I learned to fly on the RCM
Trainer 60, which was picked up by Great Planes as the Great Planes
Trainer 60, and is now the Tower HObbies Trainer 60.

Likewise, Great Planes kitted Phil Kraft's Super Kaos 60, which is now
sold as Tower Hobbies Super Kaos 60. I still think it is one of the
greatest flying pattern planes around. I'm just completing one that Ive
had sitting around for about 12 years.

H McCollister

Donald R. Sudbury

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Oct 30, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/30/96
to

ALaska2053 wrote:
>
> In article <550tmo$o...@nnrp1.news.primenet.com>, Pbbe...@primenet.com
> writes:
>
> >If anyone has flown one, I'd appreciate hearing about the flying
> qualities of
> >the
> >plane. It has a fully symetrical airfoil, and it claims to be able to
> perform
> >all the
> >"new" freestyle manuvers (remember, the plans were drawn in 1967 :-).
> I'm
> >adding flaps to it for kicks, but otherwise it will be built following
> the
> >plans
> >exactly.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Brad
>
> I think they ( great planes) renamed it the super sportster. should fly
> just fine.
>
> Andy.

Sorry Andy,

The GP Super Sportster is a new design from the Sportmaster

Don
AMA 30570

LCDR Tom Magno,USN

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Oct 30, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/30/96
to

Pbbe...@primenet.com wrote:
>
> Has anyone heard of this plane? SNIP

I built and flew one for years in the 70's and built another when I
found an old kit on a shelf in the early 80's. GREAT KIT and a GREAT
FLYING PLANE. I could do SLOOOOOOW touch and goes all day long and have
a ball. It would also do any aerobatic maneuver I could throw at it,
and it never complained!
Lou Andrews had 3 versions of this plane, the mini-master (.20 size),
trainer-master (.40 size) and the sport-master (.60 size). Every one
flew great. I don't think the newer designs "super sportsters" fly as
well as the old "-masters".

Enjoy your "collector's" kit. Preserve the plans, you may want to build
several. :) Tom

Wayne Field

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Oct 31, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/31/96
to

Howard McCollister wrote:
>
> After Lou Andrew's factory was destroyed by fire, wan't the Aeromaster
> design picked up by Airtronics? I remember building an Aeromaster, then
> building a new version called the Aeromaster Too, which was the same
> fuselage design with some optional wing congifurations.
>
I don't think so, at least not immeadiatly after the fire. Lou did
rebuild the bussiness and was continuing to make kits at least into the
late 70s which was well after the fire. I think the Aamco version of the
Aeromaster always showed multiple long/short/swept wing versions on the
plans, at least back as far as I can remember.In the early 80s I was
out of the hobby for awhile and mostly lost track of people that I had
flown with. The next time I saw an Aeromaster kit it said Great Planes
on it. If Airtronics had for awhile it must have been for a fairly short
time.

--
Wayne Field
Digital Equipment Corp.
Littleton MA, USA
WFi...@mail.dec.com

Dennis L Goodrich

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Nov 1, 1996, 3:00:00 AM11/1/96
to

Well, the follow-up parts didn't come across, but to the gentleman who
was listing the designs by Bridi and Phil Kraft that Great Planes picked
up, a little clarification. (From my memory, so the clarity might be a
little suspect!)

All the planes mentioned were kitted by Joe Bridi. Some were designed
by Bridi, the Kaos by Kraft, some, perhaps by Dewey and others. The
upshot of this is to say that Great Planes came into ALL of these planes
when they bought out Joe Bridi's company. Also all the Andrews designs
when they bought that kit line, although I think the Aeromaster is the
only one they are kitting.

Great Planes has come by much of its kit line by buying up other
companies, Top Flite included. If you are like me, this is a little
discomforting. This one grooup owns so much of the market.

Another thing I have noted is that Global kits almost duplicate exactly
the planes that SIG kits. Also, their Spirit (I think that's the name)
appears to be a copy of the Goldberg Falcon 56. Allnog with some
similar kits in the Great Planes line, I would say the SIG is quite
influencial in what sport flyers fly.

And about Jerel's Aeromaster (with the shattered monokote). It is no
hanger queen! I even saw it fly on the bottom wing only, one day!

Denny Goodrich
dlgo...@iastate.edu

--
Dennis L Goodrich
dlgo...@iastate.edu

Ed Cregger

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Nov 2, 1996, 3:00:00 AM11/2/96
to

Dennis L Goodrich wrote:
> (snip)

> All the planes mentioned were kitted by Joe Bridi. Some were designed
> by Bridi, the Kaos by Kraft, (snip)
>
> Denny Goodrich
> dlgo...@iastate.edu

The Kaos is my all time favorite model airplane. I was in the Air Force
when RCM featured Joe Bridi with the then new Kaos design. My collection
of old RCM mags was lost many years ago, however I think the Kaos was
featured in the September 1968 issue. The article is by Joe Bridi and I
always assumed he was the designer. I've lost count of how many Kaos
models I have built and flown. It is still a wonderful flying model,
builds easily and can hang inverted in the breeze along with "real"
floaters if the urge so directs.

Ed Cregger
ecre...@water.waterw.com

K Langille

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Nov 2, 1996, 3:00:00 AM11/2/96
to

dlgo...@iastate.edu (Dennis L Goodrich) writes:
> Well, the follow-up parts didn't come across, but to the gentleman who
> was listing the designs by Bridi and Phil Kraft that Great Planes picked
> up, a little clarification. (From my memory, so the clarity might be a
> little suspect!)
>
> All the planes mentioned were kitted by Joe Bridi. Some were designed
> by Bridi, the Kaos by Kraft, some, perhaps by Dewey and others. The
> upshot of this is to say that Great Planes came into ALL of these planes
> when they bought out Joe Bridi's company. Also all the Andrews designs
> when they bought that kit line, although I think the Aeromaster is the
> only one they are kitting.
>
> Great Planes has come by much of its kit line by buying up other
> companies, Top Flite included. If you are like me, this is a little
> discomforting. This one grooup owns so much of the market.
>
> Another thing I have noted is that Global kits almost duplicate exactly
> the planes that SIG kits. Also, their Spirit (I think that's the name)
> appears to be a copy of the Goldberg Falcon 56. Allnog with some
> similar kits in the Great Planes line, I would say the SIG is quite
> influencial in what sport flyers fly.
>
> And about Jerel's Aeromaster (with the shattered monokote). It is no
> hanger queen! I even saw it fly on the bottom wing only, one day!
>
> Denny Goodrich
> dlgo...@iastate.edu
>
> --
> Dennis L Goodrich
> dlgo...@iastate.edu

Good info but one correction. Joe Bridi designed all of the Kaos line and
still has the Killer Chaos and Utter Chaos on hand. The Kaos was published by
RCM in Feb. 1970 and they still have the plans available #421.
I don't believe that Phil Kraft designed any of the Kraft models which Joe
kitted (maybe the Four Seasons). Joe was and is one prolific
designer!!
KenL MAAC 22731

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