Cap 232 (oz10827)

About this Plan

Cap 232. Radio control sport-scale model. Wingspan 58 in, wing area 594 sq in, for .40 engines.

Discontinued kit from Great planes, see http://www.greatplanes.com/discontinued/gpma0232.php for more details, PDF download of full kit manual (44 pages), and full parts listing.

Quote: "Contest-level aerobatics, in an easy-building .40-size all-wood kit! Aspiring tournament pilots don't have to have a large, expensive kit to compete in MinIMAC events - all they need is the CAP 232 from Great Planes! Knife-edge loops, waterfalls, torque rolls - this model can perform any 3-D maneuver in the book, and look good doing it.

In the air, the CAP 232's large rudder makes for easier handling, and the rear-mounted rudder servo features a shorter linkage that tightens the coupling for greater authority. A dual elevator pushrod system allows for infinite individual adjustablilty of each elevator half. With its ability to perform even the most radical freesytle aerobatics, this is one plane that's ready, willing and able to unleash a flier's 'wild side'..."

kit no: GPMA0232

plan no:
CAP4P01
CAP4P02

Note the product manual (on pages 6 and 7) includes identificition sheets that could be used to draw up and fabricate the die-cut parts supplied in the kit, ie ribs and formers.

Update 29/03/2020: Added kit review from RCM November 1999, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "RCM Product Review. CAP 232, from Great Planes. By Darrel Stebbins.

According to a recent opinion survey of International Aerobatic Club members, the French CAP 231/232 is among the current aerobatic planes considered capable of successful competition in the 'Unlimited' category, and is rated by them at nine out of a possible ten for flight handling. CAP 232's were flown to First Place finishes in both Men's and Women's divisions in the 1995 10th Annual European Aerobatics Championships. Should make a wonderful R/C model, right? Well, Great Planes Model Manufacturing Company has produced a reasonably priced, well-designed .40 size model of this great airplane, and it lives up to the reputation of its big brother.

Great Planes designers have produced a CAP 232 model with a 58 in wingspan (almost exactly 1/5 scale) which is a convenient size for sport flying, and just right for MiniMAC competition. Weight is listed at 4.75 - 5.25 lbs, for a 18-20 oz/sq ft wing loading. The designers have taken exceptional measures to ensure a light airplane, including lots of lightening holes in most of the lite ply fuselage framework and in the wing ribs. Balsa was apparently selected for light weight, too. Doublers have been kept to a minimum. The plane is designed to fly, not to survive crashes.

The kit box is well-packed 6-1/2 x 10-1/2 x 39-1/2 inches, with full-color illustrations, construction photos, and product information on the front, sides, and ends. Upon opening the box, you find 'sub-packs' of parts, and some 'loose in box' items that do not lend themselves to bundling, eg, the instruction book, ABS cowl parts, engine mounts, canopy, and the like. The sub-packs are identified as: die-cut plywood, die-cut A-2, sheathing, sticks, wood parts, small sticks, shaped sticks, frame sticks, plastic and hardware. You will also find (oh happy day!) a comprehensive CAP 232 parts list, with every part listed; every stick, every former, every balsa sheet, even every washer..."

Update 25/02/2021: Added kit review from RCM&E, December 1998, thanks to RFJ.

Update 21/04/2021: Added electric conversion article, from Electric Flight International, January 2000, thanks to RFJ.

Update 4/5/2022: Added kit review from R/C Model World, September 1999, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Electric conversion article.
Reviews.

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