Kavalier (oz17034)

About this Plan

Kamco Kavalier. Radio control sport aerobatic model. Wingspan 54 in, for .40 engine.

Quote: "KAVALIER. A compact and attractive low-winger with full aerobatic capability. It can be flown at low speeds without the unpleasant characteristics usually associated with the smaller multi-model. The KAVALIER has a sparkling performance using a 0.40 cu in engine and using less power it makes an excellent first low wing machine. The kit also contains dummy pilot and a pre-formed nose cowl."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "Hi Steve, This one turned out nice, complete in one piece. It might take some work again to clean it up, but it's perfectly usable as it is as well. A few friends of mine flew this, and they had very favorable comments about it as a general Sunday fun flier. It was before my time though, so I have never seen them fly it. I believe the kit was available from the mid 70s til early 80s.
Best regards,
Kris"

Note see also RCGroups build thread by Cumbernauld at: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2810906-Kamco-Kavalier

Update 1/10/2026: Added 2x kit reviews, from Radio Modeller, July 1974 and from RCM&E, December 1974.

Quote: "Kamco Kavalier. Kit Review, by Chris Pinchbeck.

DESIGNED by AL Ells, for .25 to .40 engines and with a 54 in wing span, the Kamco Kavalier is an attractive low wing design with very pleasing lines. The kit is well engineered and very complete, giving little or no trouble in building. Flying and handling properties are good, showing ample reward for the comparatively short time taken in building. It is ideal as a first low wing model after some experience has been gained in flying multi.

The Kit: This is very complete with wood generally well selected, a well laid out plan together with a polythene sheet to protect it during building and a comprehensive building instruction booklet. Additional items include fuel tank, spinner, ABS engine cowling, all undercarriage legs preformed, wheels and collets, engine mount, push rod ends and quick links, canopy and pilot. Contact adhesive and white glue are also provided. In fact, the only extras required are the finishing materials.

The die cut parts, both balsa and ply, only needed finger pressure to remove them from the sheet and only minimal cleaning with fine glass paper was required on the wing ribs before they were ready for assembly.

Fuselage: This is of straightforward box construction with an open framework top deck produced from formers and stringers. Each fuselage side is in two parts (S1 and S2) which require some trimming at the butt joint before conforming to the planned shape. It would certainly be much simpler if these sides were supplied in one piece as they are just under 36 in. long and would fit into the existing box.

The parts are clearly, if a little deeply, stamped with their respective numbers making identification easy, and since the fuselage sides are not handed, the numerals require filling and sanding so that they do not show through the final finish.

The only fault found in wood selection was the 1/8 square balsa top stringers. These are a little too soft and great care is needed when handling the model to prevent breakage. This comment comes from hard experience. I extended the stringers to meet the tailplane instead of building up with scrap wood as I felt it would be easier to maintain the lines by doing so. 16 in sheet was used between them around the fin.

Tail Plane & Fin: The open framework, sheeted tailplane construction is straight-forward and presents no problems. The fin, which has a tongue passing through the tailplane to the bottom of the fuselage, is made up from two pieces (T3 and T4) which are butt joined. The first real problem was encountered at this stage. When offered up against the plan, matching up to the fin leading edge, the bottom edges of T3 were found to be 1/4 in too long - a simple enough fault to correct.

Wings: These are of open framework construction, of constant chord with sheeted leading edge and semi-strip ailerons. Building is straight-forward and the stages are well covered in the instruction booklet. In this day of ARTF models, it is a refreshing change and very satisfying to build up this type of wing.

The ribs needed easing a little to accept the main spars and leading edge. The plan shows a 3/8 x 1/4 in leading edge, but in fact strips supplied and quoted in the list of parts appendix to the instruction booklet were 3/8 x 3/16.

It is as well to drill the holes in W2 for the undercarriage saddle clamps before assembly to the main spars as afterwards it is difficult to do so. The actual bolts for the undercarriage saddle clamps as provided could be 1/4 in longer in order to make assembly that much easier..."

Supplementary file notes

Reviews.

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