• Wing Span: 72.5 in (184 cm)
• Wing Area: 834 sq in (5381 cm²)
• Length: 52.75 in (134 cm)
• Weight: 6.25 lbs (2.8 kg)
• Engine: .19 - .40 2 - cycle
  (3.1 cc - 6.5 cc 2 - cycle)
• 4 Servos required

The Telemaster 40 kit arrived in excellent with all provided parts included. The kit includes a well drawn full size plans and a 40 page instruction book. Overall, it is a nice looking kit. The kit was not overly complete which is ideal for those who like to supply their own hardware. The items needed to finish model are:

• Engine with a muffler extension
• 8 ounce fuel tank
• radio
• 3 rolls of covering
• 4-40 bolts, nuts, & blind nuts
• throttle cable
• 2.75 inch wheels
• 5/32" wheel locks
• push rod set
• metal clevises
• threaded rods
• hinges
• fiberglass tape
• 3/8" x 3/8" x 10" hard maple
• 1/16" music wire
• aileron connector & ball link set
• tail wheel bracket and wheel (or nose wheel)

This is one of the best aircraft for learning to fly but before it can be flown, it has to be built. This kit will be a challenge for first time builder. A lot of work is required to complete this kit. This particular kit was produced in 1993 which could be different from the kits being produced today due to a change to a different kit cutter since that time. This should be taken into account.

The plans are accurate and well drawn. An experienced scratch builder could easily build the aircraft from the plans alone. The instruction book is not very well done for use by a beginner. The book can be followed through the wing section as it is written. Building the fuselage goes well until Step 10 is reached. Do not glue the landing gear filler plate until after Step 13 has been completed because the filler plate interferes with aligning the fuselage sides. The plans do not show any type of support for the tank so one was added at Step 10. The 12 ounce tank is much more than needed. An 8 or 10 ounce tank will make final installation much easier. The rest of the fuselage assembly goes according to the instruction manual. The stabilizer is built next. Since it is a lifting type, it is built much like the wing. It is recommended that shear webbing be added at Step 3 to stiffen the assembly.

Finally, the model can be sanded and completed according to the manual. The biggest complaint about this kit is that there are no control throws listed. There are none listed in the book nor on the plans. The response from a phone call to Hobby Lobby was that they didn't know and didn't know were to find out. The from the second call was, "If it looks right, it should be OK". The control throws for the Telemaster were set according to those of suggestedfor a Birdie Loadstar .40 which is a very similar airplane. These throws are recommended:

• Elevator - 3/4" up and 3/4" down
• Rudder - 1 1/4" each way
• Ailerons - 1/2" up 3/8" down using horns to get differential

In hind sight, there are a couple of things that can be done to improve the performance of the Telemaster. Seperate servos can be used for each of the ailerons, not improve performance but to make set-up easier. Also, flaps can be added from improved take-offs and landings. Overall, the Telemaster is a better than average kit. The parts fit was very good.

There has to be a reason for building the Telemaster when there are ARF kits available for the same or less money. The reason is simple, this airplane is simply the best flying trainer/utility model available. This is a great first airplane to fly but a rank beginner should have help building and for the first flights.

The first flights were uneventful. Only minor trim adjustments were needed for the airplane to fly straight and level. This aircraft does not balloon turning upwind as some models with flat bottom airfoil wings are prone to do. This model floats. It penetrates good for a flat bottom airfoil and it cruises slower than the speed of thought. It cannot be made to do any thing bad, not even tip stalls. It has a very predictable landing glide and will almost land itself. It will do basic aerobatics but not outside loops or snaps. Rolls require plenty of help so that they do not look like a huge barrels. It will cruise at 1/3 throttle and climb at 2/3 throttle even with a wimpy OS 40-FP. This model has logged 200 hours. This is a great plane if not a classic. Everyone who has flown the Telemaster loves the way it flys.

The final word on the Telemaster should be taken as a word of caution. The Hobby Lobby advertisement and the description on the box say it will fly with a .19 but the institutions say "the aircraft will fly with a .25 to .40 engine." After flying it, it seems that a strong .25 would be the minimum engine for average flying.