EscapeFlyer

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Would anyone consider the RCM (Airtronix) Acrostar Biplane a classic Pattern biplane?

I've been reading that there was some success using it in pattern circles during the classic pattern era.

One thing that strikes me is the lack of biplane pattern ships- for obvious reasons.

So far there is the J-Bipe (firemaster modification as well)
Pulsar Biplane
Sunray Biplane
Bree Zee (Joe Bridi)?
Bolero Biplane
Reed Falcon Biplane
Stagger-Bi (Phil Kraft)
Fyg-Leaf
Skybolt
Hyperbipe

Acrostar biplane?
RCM plan # 525



Brian

EscapeFlyer

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I'm surprised someone hasn't chimed in here yet.

Any help on this one?

Brian

dhal22

if we could only find someone who likes bipes.

EscapeFlyer

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I guess that leaves me... [&o]

I feel so lonely.

Free Bird

You're not alone Brian, I like bipes too! Got an Aeromaster that I'm slowly restoring.

FB

dhal22

despite me not liking modern pattern planes much i do like some of the bipes i've seen.

doxilia

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Skybolts rule!

EscapeFlyer

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I'm interrested in a more "vintage pattern" biplane. They do fly well though. I was unfortunate enough to own a GP Arf'd Skybolt. What a mistake that was.

Brian

p.s.

Any information on the Bolero designed by Lou Proctor would be appreciated. Especially how I can track down a set of plans to plans build. It isn't found at RCM or Air Age (MAN).

EscapeFlyer

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This is a great airplane. I am jealous.

Brian

pimmnz

I think this one was designed for the biplane pattern class that Gerry Nelson was promoting at the time...
Evan WB #12.

EscapeFlyer

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The thread went off topic, so forgive me when I ask if you are referring to the Acro Star or the Bolero?

Do you have any further information?

Brian

proptop

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I think you could consider it a "Pattern" type airplane...back then, any airplane that would do the manuvers was considered eligible...at least in the Novice and Advanced (or was it Intermediate? ) categories.
I know that it's capable of the Advanced category manuvers, (and then some ) because I used to fly my friends Acro Star quite a bit...

Does anyone remember who made a kit of the Acro Star that had a moulded, semi-rigid plastic fuselage and a fiberglass skin (no balsa ) covered foam wings? It was an "ARF" kit...made sometime around 1975 or 76.

The one my friend had, was the above described ARF kit...had a K&B .61 in it, and his favorite choice of radio, an EK....I flew the snot out of that airplane [8D] Did my 1st Lomcevack (sp? ) with it...

EscapeFlyer

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Thank you!!!

I appreciate the feedback and am excited to build one next to my J-bipe. I am looking for a bipe with "pattern" agility. This helps out a lot. It would be nice to know if it would be accepted in CPA type competitions.

Brian

proptop

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Well...I couldn't tell ya about current CPA elegibility...

All I know is that back in 1975 I flew my 1st Novice Pattern event with a mod. Falcon 56 w/ strip ailerons...

Guess maybe it would depend on what class or category you were thinking about entering?

stuntflyr

I like bipes. This was my last one.
Chris...

pimmnz

Sorry, yes, Acro-Star, RCM plan and Airtronics kit, by Renaud and Dewey. Supposed to combine model glider construction and look like an EAA biplane, be capable of the pattern on a sixty, and a sport model with a .40. Would make a very pretty model and probably SPA legal...
Evan, WB #12.

NM2K

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Good looking biplanes are either scale models that compete at a great disadvantage against true classic pattern monoplane models, or they are models of specialty pattern biplanes that do not have the looks that many of us seek when searching for a qualifying classic pattern biplane.

I would love to fly a model of an Ultimate Biplane in classic pattern straight up, head to head with the old classic pattern monoplanes, but it goes against the spirit of the contest.


Ed Cregger

flyingtheoldones

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Chris, are you using coreless servos or digitals in your Pitts S1

Brian, in my opinion, the CPA is mostly about the spirit of the pre-turnaround days. I dont see why they would disqualify you because of a bipe. Heck, they'll probably be trying to persuade you to compete to get a bipe in their contest. I would love to see an old pattern bipe out there. But that is just my opinion.
I remember Circus Circus Hotels in Las Vegas offered a bunch of "bonus" pionts to biplane enterants one year. It was in the late 80s, dont know the actual year. I do remember that 1st place was decided due to that bonus margin. Who won that year? Chip? Was that the first year Prettner didn't place 1st? I wish I had my mags for reference... oh wait... we got you guys! even better!


DM

Deadstik

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I always considered the AcroStar as an "OK" flying bipe. I built one and the more I flew it the less I liked it. I just didn't like to stay where you pointed it. The Sig Skybolt was a much better airplane for "pattern" flying and I won Novice in the late 70's with one and still have one today. The Aeromaster was the one bipe I really worked with to fly pattern as I got really involved with IMAC in the early 80's... as in number 116 and the best Aeromaster setup was both wings swept, 4 ailerons, engine/lower wing/stab at 0 degrees and the top wing at -1 degrees. That plane with an OS .61 FSR/ABC would scream and do everything in any pattern you wanted.

I sold my Aerostar and the guy who bought it loved it and it lasted a long time... it had no bad habits. A Sig Skybolt was a pilot's airplane that as long as you realized airspeed was god, it would do anything you wanted, but forget that and it would snap and eat your lunch. The Aeromaster was in the middle and really tracked well while doing all the manevers well. I still have my Skybolt and a NIB Aeromaster that will someday be built to the pattern specs.

The Aeromaster would qualify for Antique in SPA/VRCS I believe. The Skybolt and Aerostar would both be SPA legal. It's a nice thought... I think everyone would like to see pattern biplanes as did the TOC as someone pointed out.

Dan

Carolina Custom Aircraft
Vintage Pattern Aircraft in Fiberglass

RFJ

The Bolero was published in the April 1964 edition of MAN. Unusually, no reduced size plan was included with the article. Picture below.

That would have been 1984. Hanno was disqualified and Steve Rojecki won flying a Reed Falcon biplane. John Britt & Dean Koger flew Skybolts. It was the first time Hanno had not won although he did win again in 1988 ( the TOC was not held in 1986) The bonus was 10% for biplanes.

Ray

EscapeFlyer

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I wan't even considering the Sig Skybolt... I would fly one of these in a heartbeat. I did not realise this would be considered or accepted in classic pattern circles. I know there are still kits being sold out there. I'll have to see if I can invest in one.

My apologies David. My reply was a bit short sided in it's nature. I like the skybolt as well. I flew in a RC club in Denver called M.A.S. (Mineature Aero Sportsters) that was started by Lamar Steen himself. The story goes that Mr. Steen was a High School teacher and one of his classes helped him design the biplane. He then built the thing in his basement with the help of some students. At least that is how I remember the story. Maybe someone from MAS could clarify it for me.

My question is which came 1st, the Skybolt or the Pitts? It seems to me the Skybolt is a stretched out Pitts.

RFJ-

You have always been a geat help. Thank you for your information on the Bolero.

Has anyone any experience with the Bolero?

Brian

edit:

As it turns out, I am happy to find several attractive biplanes that can be considered for this era and genre of competiton flying. I just stumbled onto a two more. The first pic is a Reed Falcon Biplane, and the 2nd pic is a Fyg-Leaf. The 3rd is the Acro Star, and the Bolero is seen in the previous post.

The 4th and 5th pics are the Stagger-Bi by Phil Kraft. Not attractive IMO, but worth seeing. Very nice.
The 6th is Joe Bridi's Bree Zee. (Anyone have other pics of this finished and flying? Please post if you would.)

jjscott

Here is a pic of my original Pulsar, probably from about 1978, K&B 61 piped. Sold long ago, but I needed another, so here is a recent RCU purchase, a Pulsar in need of restoration. I've got the wings and tail restored (all new tail wood) but have not yet started the fuse. The old firewall is out; I need to decide what to put in it, get the new firewall in, and do the glass work on the nose.

RCM has published the Rodeo. The plane pic is from magazine article. Span 52, 835 sq in. Looks like a real airplane. Foam wings, fairly thin semi-symmetrical section, large ailerons on lower wing only. The moments look similar to an Aeromaster. I bet it would fly pretty well, but I doubt it would be in the same league as a Skybolt or Pulsar.

Jim

RFJ

1st flight Steen Skybolt October 1970
1st flight Pitts Special September 1944

Ray

flyingtheoldones

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RFJ.. I'm always amazed bythe info you have.

thanks for the '84 TOC info as well!


DM

EscapeFlyer

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jjscott-

How about a flight report on the J-Bipe, eh???

Brian