Ray Borden's Spinks Acromaster

[Dan McEntee]

 I've run across a set of plans listed on eVilbay for a Spinks Acromaster designed by Ray Borden. The auction listing gives the impression it was published, but no mention on anything I can see when it was or what publication. I have been searching the forums and the internet for any mention of it but have come up empty. I had heard of Ray Borden and found mention of some other articles he published but not for the Spinks. Can't find it in the AMA plan listing, outerzone, or flying models catalog. Can anyone shed any light on this? I just want to look up the article before ordering the plan. Thanks a lot in advance!
Type at you later,
 Dan McEntee

[Jim Svitko]

I have a set of plans for the Spinks Akromaster by Ray Borden.  The construction article appeared in the January, 1980 issue of Model Airplane News.  I have that issue, or what is left of it. 

According to the stats in the article, wing area is 475 squares, 50 inch span, 48 ounce weight.  The flaps are maybe 2/3 of the wing span, with a fixed trailing edge toward the tip.  A large bubble canopy and a rather tall vertical fin and rudder.  The wing is rather thin, more typical of a classic era design.  In the article, Borden said the original was powered with a Fox 29.

It is an attractive plane, maybe not up to current performance standards, but performance might be improved with some mods.  I suppose you could take just about any modern design, make it look like this Spinks, install something better than the Fox, and have a good performer.  I have done this with the Tom Dixon Time Machine 40 and 50, keeping the main features of the design but altering the fuselage because I did not like the jet style look of the original version.

[M Spencer]

I fink this is Mc Farlands forty six one .

. Lews Akromaster - Lew McFarland - American Aircraft Modeler - November 1974 - 57in

on outerzone. Free .


isa da onea defieanately .
I fink the one your finking of , hasa fin ving .





not telling you how to suck eggs , but if by some remote chance you HAVNT seen Lews one ?
Looks like thats a redraw to me , up top . ?
Couple of that Mag on Ebay , at the moment .Ones Twice the price .


Dennis Adaminson "   BTW pix was sent to me by Charlie Reeves, it was taken at the FAI qualifier in Lexington in (I think) fall of 1972 (sigh).

* Foreground is my Fouga Magister.  Clockwise from there:
* Charlie Reeves' gorgeous P-63 "Flying Red Horse"
* Al Rabe's incomparable Sea Fury
* Lew McFarland's wonderful Spinks Acromaster
* Keith Trostle's ultra slick Eagle "

http://stunthanger.com/smf/stunt-design/scale-stunt-designs/

When the pithers are back up .

[Dan McEntee]

I have a set of plans for the Spinks Akromaster by Ray Borden.  The construction article appeared in the January, 1980 issue of Model Airplane News.  I have that issue, or what is left of it. 

According to the stats in the article, wing area is 475 squares, 50 inch span, 48 ounce weight.  The flaps are maybe 2/3 of the wing span, with a fixed trailing edge toward the tip.  A large bubble canopy and a rather tall vertical fin and rudder.  The wing is rather thin, more typical of a classic era design.  In the article, Borden said the original was powered with a Fox 29.

It is an attractive plane, maybe not up to current performance standards, but performance might be improved with some mods.  I suppose you could take just about any modern design, make it look like this Spinks, install something better than the Fox, and have a good performer.  I have done this with the Tom Dixon Time Machine 40 and 50, keeping the main features of the design but altering the fuselage because I did not like the jet style look of the original version.

    Hi Jim;
   Thanks for the information. I just went to my files and pulled out that mag and read the article. I just had not search that far  for it yet, thought it would be in the late 70's. I remember looking at and reading that mag, just didn't remember that the Spinks was in it! It is an attractive model, like the full size airplane whether it was a success or not. The Borden model looks like it could just use a bit of dihedral to help with the look, and help the vertical CG on such a low wing. Smaller models like that fit better in smaller cars! I have the AAM plan for Lew's, another set of plans from Dixon for the same model, and some foam cores for it. And like you suggest, a Gieske Nobler wing or a Tutor wing would be a good base for a kit bash. It's gotta have the tapered wing with dihedral, though for it to look right to me.
  Thanks again for the help!
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee