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I was very interested in an article in the
current issue of BMFA News by Simon Delaney about a new range of
high-quality ARTF models being distributed by Shrewsbury Model Centre, so
I went to their web site to take a look and see what they were like.
What I discovered was a range of ten superb
ARTF radio-controlled aircraft that Swedish model aircraft designer & former
World Championship contestant Goran Kalderen of K & W has developed
for Kavan. Having emigrated to the Philippines, Mr. Kalderen combined his
design skills with the relatively low labour cost and availability of excellent
local wood craftsmen to make a new standard of model aeroplane with a degree of
excellence and quality not normally associated with ARTF models.
These stand-off 1/5 scale Radio
Controlled aeroplanes are from the earliest days of flight - 1909 to 1939.
Aircraft are conventional balsa and plywood construction. Rigging wires
are factory assembled to the proper length needing only minor adjustment of the
clevis, and then clipped into place. Where applicable, closed-loop systems are
included for the elevator and rudder controls. Main Landing Gear, Tail Struts
and Scale Wheels are factory-assembled. Metal Engine Cowls are factory-finished.
The kits include Assembly Instructions, Flying Hints & Scale Documentation
in English, 3-view drawings and lots of photographs of the original full size aircraft
& stick-on Decal Sheets, where appropriate. Wherever possible KAVAN hardware
is used on the models. The aircraft come ready-covered & fully decorated -
just install your choice of radio & engine & you're ready to face your foe,
they say!
So let's
take a look at three of the range, from the lowest price to the highest,
as pictured and described on Shrewsbury Model Centre's website.
 £389
Nieuport 17-C1
Span 1648mm(65"), Length 1150mm(45"), Weight 3.8kg (81/4lbs),
Engines; 2 Stroke .40-60, 4 Stroke .60-75 cu in
Powered by a Le Rhone 110bhp engine, the Nieuport was the most
widely used & produced fighter of its era; France's Favourite
Fighter was also extensively used by the British, being the Preferred
Mount of Albert Ball & Billy Bishop VC. This 1/5 Scale version is
magnificently built & covered but still easy to transport, upper
& lower wing panels being easily demountable.
 £699
Bristol F2b Fighter
Span 2390mm(94"), Length 1570mm (62"), Weight 7.3kg (16lbs),
Suitable Engines; 2 Stroke .60-90 cu in 4 Stroke .90-120 cu in
Canadian RFC Captain McKeever scored most of his 30 victories in
the highly successful Rolls-Royce Falcon powered 'Brisfit'. By the end
of 1918 over 3000 F2b's had been built. This imposing 1/5 Scale replica
is beautiful, yet easy to transport, despite it's imposing size. Kit
includes Lewis gun & Scarf ring.
 £899
R.A.F. Be2c
Span 2250mm(88.4"), Length 1660mm(65.4"), Weight
6.2kg(13lbs 5oz), Engines; .60-70 2 Stroke 4 Stroke .80-90 cu in.
Early Be2's saw service with the Royal Flying Corps from 1912. The
Be2c operated in France on reconnaissance, observation, &
(single-seat) bombing duties. Single-seat Be2c night fighters downed six
Zeppelins over Britain. In all, 3,260 Be2's were built. A Be2 became the
first British aircraft to fly across the Channel & land in France
during WW1. Be2's had such stability that they could 'fly themselves'
during observation & reconnaissance missions, this stability
contributed to its success as a single-seat home-defence fighter against
Zeppelins in night raids over England.
Want to know more?
E-mail Shrewsbury Model Centre at sales@shrewsburymodels.co.uk
or visit their web
site on http://www.shrewsburymodels.co.uk/KAVAN.html
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