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Airex Masterreel and spinster


StriperTC

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Just taking a stroll down memory lane and remembered that as a kid I had purchased an Airex Master reel and a spinster. The Masterreel was a real neat performer as I recall. The Spinster was less expensive and not as neat but I suppose it served the purpose. Just don't remember.

 

Anyone know when they first came out? Late Forties I think. Waaaaaay before yer timebiggrin.gifbiggrin.gif

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I got my Airex Masterreel around 1952. It performed just fine. I loaded it with 8lb braided dacron. We hadn't really learned about mono. There was Garcia Platyl but it was too expensive for the city pond.

I think, could be wrong, that the Spinster didn't have a roller on the bail. The name Bach Brown was involved but I don't remember how.

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The spinster had a round, ball like housing for the gears. the one you have Brian looks like a later version .And yes it sure looks like a luxor body.

 

I just got a mitchell 300 in the mail from Klamman. It looks more like what I had.Maybe thats what I did have.headscratch.gifheadscratch.gif

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The spinster had a round, ball like housing for the gears. the one you have Brian looks like a later version .And yes it sure looks like a luxor body.

I just got a mitchell 300 in the mail from Klamman. It looks more like what I had.Maybe thats what I did have.headscratch.gifheadscratch.gif

 

 

It's a Spinster.

"Don't believe everything quoted on the internet, some of it is made up" ~ Abraham Lincoln
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I have the Airex Mastereel Model 2-A . Here are a few pics.

525

 

525

 

525

An interesting anti-reverse lock control is built into the handle crank-shaft.

 

Airex div. of Lionel Corp. Bach Brown Mastereel - seems like they had a heck of a time trying to name/ give credit for the reel

 

 

This is an extra spool I have that doesn't fit quite right on my Model 2-A. It looks like it might fit Zim's reel (based on the Hillside, NJ marking).

Zim - I'll give it to you if ya want it.

 

525

 

 

The Wright Guide for spinning reels has quite a bit of information on Airex reels. Below is much of what is in there for these reels.

 

From Ben Wright's guide :

 

".... 1935/36 - Bach Hamilton Brown who some called the father of spin-fishing in America was an architect by trade and spent most of his free time fishing. It is a fact that he traveled Europe in the early 1930's spending time with many European spinning reel manufacturers. It is claimed that he engineered, designed and personally field tested the first American made open face spinning reel. This reel was thought to be on display at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. Could it be that because of World War II this reel never went into production?

We do know these facts: Bach Brown had approched Mitchell of France prior to Charles Garcia for the import rights to sell the Mitchell reel in the U.S. For whatever reason he was turned down by Mitchell! Just think we could have had Bach Brown/Mitchell instead of Garcia/Mitchell!!

We also know that Bach Brown was the first US importer of the French made Luxor spinning reel by Pezon Michel C-1946. His business address was Springfield, MA. In the late 1940's it is apparent that he had an agreement with Airex who manufactured Bach Brown/Airex spinning reels, which incidentally the Airex Mastereel series is somewhat similar to the French Luxor! Thus we had a complete line of Bach Brown /Airex open face spinning reels."..............

"........1947 - The Airex Corp. of Long Island City, NY whom many believe to be the first American company to introduce a complete line of spin fishing equipment, introduced their "Mastereel" open face spinning reel. Designed and developed by Mr. Bach Brown. The first model is a lite size, round body,small 1/2 bail arm with no click or anti-reverse. It has a one piece handle that screws through the center to fasten the gear shaft. These are not marked with a model No. but are marked Bach Brown, Mastereel. Airex Corp. patent applied for.

In 1948 the Mastereel model #2 was introduced. This model No.2 is the same as the first model only it now incorporated a built in constant click and anti-reverse. The handle now screws into the shaft with no screw.

In 1949 the Mastereel model #2-A was introduced. This reel was the same as the model 2 but now incorporated a new handle design which included a sleeve (collar) on the handle unit for the click and anti-reverse. This reel is now marked on the spool Airex Division of the Lionel Corp. Long Island City, NY.

In 1950 Airex introduced their model 2-B. This is the same as the model 2-A only incorporates another new handle design. The handle is now a fork design and can be removed by turning a knurled nut and pulling the handle upwards. It can also be turned around for storage.

An interesting note: Airex now offered this new handle design as a field conversion kit for all model 2 Mastereels and model 2 spinsters.......

..................In 1953 Airex introduced their model 3 Mastereel. This was the same as the model-B but again they changed the handle design. The handle now incorporated a large knurled nut that when unscrewed will allow you to turn the handle for storage. Also the 1/2 bail arm is now larger. This reel is now marked on the spool Airex division of the Lionel Corp. Hillside, NJ. For whatever reason this reel was also marked Mastereel model No. 4.

In 1954 Airex introduced their model No. 4 Aristocrat, basically the same reel as the 3 and 4 only now came with a full bail arm system.

Not to backtrack but in 1949 Airex introduced their first model spinster. The reel had a round body with a 1/2 bail arm. The first model was not marked with a model No. but was marked Bach Brown "Spinster" Airex division of Lionel Corp.

Slight modifications were made to the Spinster Model 1 Circa -1950, Model 2 Circa-1951, and Models 3 and 4 Circa-1952.

In 1956 Airex introduced their spinster model No. 5 which was an offspring of of the model 4 with a 1/2 bail arm.

In 1957 they introduced what would be the last model in their Spinster series the model VI. It's basically the same as the model No. 5 but now incorporates a full bail arm system. Also this reel was produced in "Bronze" , "Pink" , and "aqua" colors. These are highly sought after by Airex collectors.................................."

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The reel on the Left was my first spinning reel, a Bache Brown Spinster with the 1/2 bail pick-up. I bought this reel out of my paper route money in the early 50's. The reel on the right is also a Spinster, but has a full bail. The only other major difference is the early ones were 1/2 black and the other 1/2 chrome or polished aluminum. The later reels were all one color.

525

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tongue.gif I'm changing my name to thread stopper redface.gifcwm27.gifcwm12.gif

 

 

Sometimes they just ain't talkin' finatic. Tell ya what, I'll take over as thread stopper - I seem to be pretty good at it! redface.gifcwm27.gif

 

 

Nice collection of Airex reels, BTW !!

Cool that they've always been your's too.

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