Kavan Redy First 1760mm Kit
Some pilots like a model straight out of the box. Others want to build their own, rib by rib, from balsa and hardwood. The Kavan Redy First is for that second group: a traditional builder's kit for a relaxed sport glider that you can also finish as an electric-powered glider.
Designed and manufactured in the Czech Republic, the Redy First is an entry-level model for easy-going weekend flying. It suits newcomers to building as well as experienced modellers who enjoy working with wood. With a 1760 mm wingspan and a light all-balsa airframe, it is made for calm, unhurried flights.
Kavan is honest about who it is for. It may not be the ideal first model for someone with no hands-on experience at all. If you have already built something from balsa and sticks, though, you should have no difficulty completing this kit.
Puzzle-Like CNC-Cut Construction
The parts are CNC-cut and interlock like puzzle pieces, so the airframe goes together accurately and the build progresses steadily. The kit includes a full-size building plan and an instruction manual to guide you through each step.
The fuselage is a simple box. Balsa sides and top and bottom sheets are joined by plywood formers and braces. The rudder and elevator servos sit in the fuselage under the wing. The receiver, ESC and battery have their own space in the cockpit, under a removable canopy hatch held by a magnetic lock.
Glider or Electric Glider – Your Choice
You decide during the build whether the Redy First becomes a pure glider or an electric-powered glider. For the glider version, a tow hook for bungee launching is included. For the electric version, the kit supplies a plywood firewall.
Kavan recommends the following electric setup:
- KAVAN PRO 2225-1600 brushless motor
- 8×6 in folding propeller with a 30–32 mm spinner
- KAVAN R-30B Plus or KAVAN PRO R-30SB ESC
- 3S 11.1V 750–1200mAh LiPo flight pack
If you are thinking about moving to a full-house aileron and flap Thermic wing later, choose an ESC with a strong switched BEC. That wing needs enough power to run six servos.
Strong, Light One-Piece Wing
The one-piece wing uses a flat-bottomed section, which keeps building simple. Its classic structure combines CNC-cut balsa ribs, a hardwood stick main spar with balsa shear webbing, and a beech dowel leading edge. The result is a strong wing that stays light. It is held to the fuselage with rubber bands.
The tail surfaces are cut from balsa sheet and reinforced with balsa and carbon. Elevator and rudder are driven by piano wire snake pushrods from servos in the fuselage. For covering, Kavan recommends an iron-on film, ideally lightweight transparent KAVAN film or Oracover®.
Key Features
- Traditional builder's kit for a 1760 mm sport glider
- Can be built as a glider or an electric-powered glider
- Light all-balsa airframe with plywood and hardwood parts
- CNC-cut interlocking parts that fit together like a puzzle
- Simple box-style fuselage with plywood formers and braces
- Removable canopy hatch with magnetic lock
- Dedicated cockpit space for receiver, ESC and battery
- Plywood firewall for the electric version included
- Tow hook for bungee launching included
- One-piece wing with flat-bottomed section
- Hardwood main spar, balsa shear webbing and beech dowel leading edge
- Wing secured with rubber bands
- Tail surfaces with balsa and carbon reinforcements
- Piano wire snake pushrods for elevator and rudder
- Servo tray tailored to KAVAN GO-6MG servos
- Full-size building plan and sheet of stickers
- Designed and manufactured in the Czech Republic
Specifications
- Wingspan: 1760 mm / 69.29 in
- Length: 1008 mm / 39.69 in
- Weight: 600 g / 21.16 oz
- Wing area: 39.7 dm²
- Material: Balsa, liteply/plywood and hardwood
- Controlled functions: Rudder, elevator, motor (electric version)
- Recommended motor (electric version): KAVAN PRO 2225-1600 brushless
- Recommended ESC (electric version): KAVAN R-30B Plus or KAVAN PRO R-30SB
- Recommended battery (electric version): 3S 11.1V 750–1200mAh LiPo
- Recommended propeller: 8×6 in folding, 30–32 mm spinner
- Servos: 2 × 6 g micro servo, not included
- Receiver: Not included
- Radio: Not included
- Build difficulty (Kavan rating): S1
- Operating difficulty (Kavan rating): P1
- Completion Level: Builder's kit
What's Included
- CNC-cut balsa and liteply/plywood parts
- Hardwood sticks
- Accessories set
- Sheet of stickers
- Full-size building plan
- Instruction manual
Required to Complete
- Minimum 2-channel transmitter and receiver (glider) or 4-channel (electric version)
- 2 × good 6 g micro servos, 0.7–1.0 kg·cm torque (servo tray suits KAVAN GO-6MG)
- Iron-on covering film (lightweight transparent KAVAN film or Oracover® recommended)
- Glider version: receiver battery, e.g. 4-cell AAA 4.8V 800mAh NiMH
- Electric version: brushless motor, e.g. KAVAN PRO 2225-1600
- Electric version: 8×6 in folding propeller with 30–32 mm spinner
- Electric version: ESC, e.g. KAVAN R-30B Plus or KAVAN PRO R-30SB
- Electric version: 3S 11.1V 750–1200mAh LiPo battery and compatible charger
Radio, servos, covering and power system are sold separately.
Redy First – A Classic Build at Aerobertics
Few things beat flying a model you built yourself. The Redy First brings back the traditional way of building, with precisely CNC-cut parts that take much of the guesswork out of the process.
With its 1760 mm wingspan, light balsa structure and choice of glider or electric configuration, it is a rewarding project at the workbench and a relaxed companion on the flying field.
At Aerobertics, we enjoy seeing modellers build their own aircraft. The Redy First is a great way to start that journey, or to rediscover it.
Pick up your tools, build it your way and send your Redy First soaring.
