Pioneer (oz16972)

About this Plan

Cambria Pioneer. Radio control sport model. Wingspan 58 in, for .19 to .25 engines.

Note photo [main pic] of completed model by Colin Bernard was found online at https://forums.modelflying.co.uk/index.php?/topic/34794-vintage-cambria-catalogue-scans/page/2/

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "Hi Mary & Steve, another recent find was a kit for the Cambria Pioneer. No designer or date is noted, although probably early-mid '70s as the Enya 19-V shown on the plans was released in 1972.

Text from the Cambria catalogue is as follows:

Pioneer. 58" Wingspan for .19 to .25 cu. ins Motors. 3-Function Radio Operating Rudder, Elevator, Throttle LIST No. CA 31.

Vintage type monoplane with part open spruce/plywood fuselage and built-up flying surfaces. The 'scale' lines of the model capture the spirit of the pre 1914 era and it flies in a manner typical of those formative years of aviation, in particular it has a very short take off and landing capability. The construction is both traditional and simple yet is designed to be extremely tough to take all the knocks of normal sport flying. Kit includes many die-cut, pre-cut and pre-shaped balsa/ply parts, spruce/balsa stripwood, moulded wing fairing and tank hatch cover, pre-formed undercarriage, wire parts, 'rigging line', wing bolt assemblies, horns, hinges, bolts, clamps screws etc. Full size detailed drawing and instruction book.
Undemanding flight characteristics and slow flying speeds gives you plenty of 'thinking' time between manoeuvres - a definite 'change of pace' to the more usual type of model which appeals to both the experienced and novice pilot.

I'll try to get you scans of the instruction booklet and printwood.
Kind regards,"

Update 31/8/2026: Added kit review from Radio Modeller, October 1976, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "RM Test Report: John McKenzie builds and flies the Pioneer from Cambria. 58 in span Bleriot-type monoplane for .19-.25 engines and 3-function radio.

Hello, John... well, the Pioneer by Cambria has just arrived - how'd you like to review that? It sounds corny enough, I suppose, but I had seen the advert for this model and had instantly felt I would like it, albeit only rudder, elevator and engine. I had lately been flying the RM Pasadena Special (oz8444) bipe with a Super Tigre 40 plus ED Carb up front, and I had thought the Pioneer might indeed bring about a change of pace! So I told Dave I was already virtually just about to buy the kit anyway, and that's how it all began.

I would like to comment here about recent criticisms of 'Kit Reviewers' I am a member of two clubs and probably know about 200 modellers. I do not make a fortune out of reviewing models. I write down what I consider is a true and unbiased account of what I find, and I am sure all other reviewers do likewise. Of course, a raw beginner might find a lot of things cause him problems from sheer lack of know-how, but, apart from this, (and I try to look for all the little things from the tyro's angle as well), I stick to the facts.

As far as this model is concerned, the points of criticism probably concern the fact that pre-production models were perhaps not made from pre-production kits, but by experienced modellers from the original plans - and the people who use the machines to cut the pieces out are probably not modellers and so do not realise the importance of various grades of wood required for different purposes. However, in the case of the Pioneer and the price charged for it, I think Cambria have done a splendid job. The next adverse comment I hear about my Pioneer. either about its looks or its flying capabilities, will be the first!

Kit contents: Right, then, open up the box: a nice selection of wood, a bag of accessories, a nicely formed plastic top deck-cum-cockpit moulding, the forward undercarriage legs (more about this later), and a very clearly printed plan (rolled) and an excellent book of sequential building instruc-tions, (i.e.—start at No. r and go on until you finish). I read this book in conjunction with the plan and all appeared fairly clear. I found that as per the Trade News comment on this model, the wing ribs were of rather soft balsa and I found an inaccuracy in the front former, but as I had been forewarned of these mistakes (through chatting with the manufacturers at Sywell earlier in the year) I was not unduly worried.

Assembly: Here I just followed the instruc-tion book sequence implicity, and used the various glues as recom-mended. The ply sheet across the front two formers requires care in fitting but it will go. I found that a piece of 1/4 in sq wood is shown in line with the point on the fuselage where the leading edge of the wing seats. This should not be fitted as it prevents the wing fitting correctly. The only departure from instruc-tions I made in the construction was in regard to the wing hold-down bolts and their `L'-plate fixing. I left the bottom ply plate off until these were fixed as this makes the job a lot easier.

The fuselage went together with no other fuss, engine mount, undercarriage, etc, giving no trouble. If you have a Kavan tank I think it would be as well to fit the tank during the construction and not try and place it in position when the fuselage is finished.

The wing went together quite nicely, but I was obliged to make one rib as one of the kit ribs was too short. Also here, I marked the bolt holes in each piece of timber, as, when placed on the plan, one cannot register these holes. Both wing halves can be built over the same side of the plan. I have found that the plastic seat covers (as supplied with new cars to protect the upholstery) make excellent covers for plans and prevent all glue from sticking to the plan.

Tailplane and fin presented no problems, and I used the same white film finish on wings and tailplane as the on prototypes I'd seen. A little mahogany wood stain on the fuselage front top deck and front former, leaving the rest of the fuselage in natural ply, gave a nice effect. I then gave the whole a coat of Tufkote fuel proofer. As explained in the instructions, one lightly sands the whole structure before assembly and, on completion of the fuselage, a minimum of sanding is required on the 1/4 in sq members.

The plastic wing fairing moulding (ABS) has to be cut to profile. It's a neat piece of work, and I fitted it with the minimum of fuss (and some adhesive!) All I had to do now was make a pair of spoked wheels..."

Supplementary file notes

Review.

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