This 2-cylinder miniature opposed airplane engine was designed and built by Franz Kavan of Germany in the 1980s. The engine burns methanol on glow ignition. Later production engines became available with a shielded spark ignition. Placing the spark plug wires into a metal casing (braided tubing) eliminates radio interference generated by the spark plugs, essential when flying radio-controlled model aircraft.
This is one of the earliest model airplane engines with an oil sump that holds lubricating oil for the crankcase components. This is known as a “splash” oil system. The crankshaft is partially submerged into the oil level in the sump. As it spins, it slings oil throughout the entire crankcase assembly. The upper combustion chamber, rocker arms and valves are lubricated by oil mixed with the fuel.
The engine is 9”-long, 11”-wide, 8”-high, and weighs 9 lbs. 10oz.The engine resembles half of the 4-cylinder Continental C-85 commonly used in the Piper Cub airplane which is also part of the Paul and Paula Knapp Engine Collection.