This article is partly a review, but not only that. As it happens, I am also the designer of the Twisty, and it felt both relevant and interresting to share with you the story behind the creation of this glider.
The Long Story, Made Short
The project originally started as a collaboration with Matthieu Aubert from Ecirtech. The idea was to design a small wooden short kit: a compact aerobatic slope glider, something playful and capable of turning things upside down on the hillside. A few months into the project, Matthieu decided to move on to other ventures, and the design files were put aside, literally gathering dust on a shelf for several years.
Everything changed when I tested the Kavan TwinShark for Modèle Magazine and Aufwind. That experience sparked a new idea: what if this concept were proposed to a manufacturer specializing in molded foam models? I contacted Kavan-RC, sent them a few sketches and some early 3D renderings, and pitched the concept.
To my surprise, Kavan responded enthusiastically. They found the idea original and worth pursuing. What followed was a long design phase. I supplied all the drawings, wing sections, airfoil data, and construction details. A few weeks later, I received the first full 3D draft of the model.
Initially, the concept included a madstab tailplane operated through a three-axis linkage system, with one offset axis designed to create a mechanical multiplication effect.
Once the 3D design was validated, Kavan produced a first prototype machined from polystyrene, reinforced in critical areas with fiberglass tape and fitted with 3D-printed parts. When I received this prototype, I was initially surprised by the material choice. In hindsight, it was an excellent decision: it allowed us to validate the design without committing to expensive molds too early in the process.
The first flight tests were promising. The model exhibited excellent glide performance and extraordinary agility, but elevator control felt vague due to the madstab system, making precise flying difficult. While the three-axis linkage works perfectly in theory, in practice even the smallest amount of play is amplified, resulting in imprecision.
After discussions with Kavan’s R&D team, we decided to abandon the madstab concept and revert to a more traditional elevator linkage.
A few weeks later, a second prototype arrived. The fuselage had been slightly widened to improve robustness and make it easier to install a 3S battery. Elevator precision was back, and the overall behavior was far more convincing. At this point, I was happy to validate the design and give the green light for mold production.
In mid-2024, I received a pre-production model—this time fully molded in Elapor and identical to the final version. A few more months were needed before the Twisty officially entered Kavan’s catalog and reached hobby shops at the beginning of summer 2025.
Design Philosophy
With the Twisty, I wanted to blend neo-retro aesthetics: modern curves mixed with echoes of classic gliders from the past. The vertical fin in particular is a clear nod to the Air 100, a shape I’ve always admired.
The Kavan Twisty is a visually striking motor glider that deliberately breaks away from conventional design. Instead of traditional ailerons, roll control is achieved through a full-wing incidence system: the entire wing rotates around a central carbon joiner. The result is extreme agility and a flying experience that feels fundamentally different from anything else in this size class.
The goal behind the design—variable or full-span wing incidence driven by two servos, an all-moving tailplane, and a large vertical fin—was to offer a very wide flight envelope, genuine aerobatic capability, and a level of playful experimentation that has become increasingly rare in modern ARF models. The Twisty flies differently, reacts differently, and asks the pilot to adapt accordingly.
Is It Really 3D-Capable? Not in the classic sense. There’s no prop-hanging or torque-rolling here. What the Twisty offers instead is something far more interesting: exceptional agility, tight maneuvering, and a roll rate closer to that of a sport aerobatic aircraft than a traditional glider.
The wing uses a TP60J airfoil (9% thickness), specifically developed by Thierry Platon for variable or full-incidence wings and derived from the famous Ritz 1.30.10 airfoil.
Although the model was originally conceived as a pure glider, Kavan strongly encouraged the addition of a motor. I was initially hesitant, but I have to admit the result is convincing. The motorized configuration makes the Twisty usable everywhere—on flat fields as well as on the slope—without compromising its spirit.
In a market saturated with ever more efficient and predictable electric gliders, the Twisty stands apart. It doesn’t fit neatly into any established category, and that is precisely its greatest strength.
Kit Presentation and Contents
The Twisty is delivered as an Almost-Ready-to-Fly (ARF) model with an impressive level of factory finish.
- Packaging: The model comes in a two-tone box with an integrated handle, designed to double as a durable transport and storage case.
- Airframe: The EPO foam parts are cleanly molded and pre-painted + décoration stickers. To improve durability, Kavan has added rigid plastic guards to the nose, the underside of the fuselage, and the leading edges of the wings and horizontal stabilizer—an excellent idea for protecting the model during rough landings.
- Hardware: The kit includes an 8 mm carbon tube that serves both as the wing joiner and the rotation axis for the wing incidence system. A folding propeller with an plastic spinner is also supplied.
Pre-installed Electronics
- Motor: Kavan C2820-1450 kv brushless motor
- ESC: Kavan R-20B Plus (20 A)
- Servos: Four metal-gear servos—two high-torque units in the fuselage for wing incidence control and two for the tail surfaces
Build Quality and Layout
Assembly is quick and generally straightforward, though not without a few quirks. The removable wings and stabilizer make transport easy, but field assembly requires tools, and the wing attachment system demands care—dropping small screws in the grass is a real possibility.
Access to the internals is via a spring-latched canopy. Inside, the layout is logical but compact, with separate compartments for the receiver/ESC and the battery.
Kavan recommends a 3S 1300 mAh LiPo, but this results in a noticeably rearward center of gravity. A 3S 2200 mAh pack would fits without issue and brings the CG forward into a much more comfortable range, significantly improving pitch stability and overall smoothness. In my case, having already the batteries, I needed to added a consequent amount of lead in front of the battery to achieve the CG/
The fuselage is narrow and tall, giving the Twisty a distinctive silhouette. The plastic nose houses the C2820 brushless motor driving a folding 7×6 propeller. Power is adequate rather than excessive: climbs are confident but not vertical, reinforcing the idea that this remains a glider at heart.
The EPO foam structure feels light yet robust. While “unbreakable” would be optimistic marketing, the Twisty is undeniably tough. Minor crashes and hard landings usually result in little more than cosmetic damage.
The wings are extremely light and rely on the carbon joiner for stiffness rather than a traditional spar. Plastic reinforcements protect the leading edges of the wings and stabilizer—very effective, though it’s a pity they don’t extend across the entire span.
Setup
Setup requires attention. Neutral wing alignment is critical, and because roll control depends on wing rotation, any friction or servo imprecision is immediately noticeable. On the test model, return-to-neutral in roll was inconsistent—a behavior observed on more than one Twisty. This doesn’t make the model unflyable, but it does require constant pilot input. If the wing joiner tube does not rotate freely in its housing, lightly sanding it can help.
Control throws and mixes are essential. A pitch-to-camber mix greatly improves aerobatic precision and reduces the risk of dynamic stalls during aggressive maneuvers.
Wing incidence is controlled via ball links, while the tail uses standard M2 clevises. The stock clevises are not of the highest quality; at least one report mentions a clevis failing during setup, so replacing them with higher-quality hardware is strongly recommended.
The recommended center of gravity is between 72 mm and 75 mm. Using a 3S 1300 mAh battery often results in a tail-heavy setup, so either adding around 50 g of lead or switching to a 3S 2200 mAh battery is advisable.
In the Air
Launching the Twisty couldn’t be easier: a gentle push and it’s flying. When needed, the motor provides solid assistance, though vertical climbs are limited. The folding propeller keeps noise down and efficiency up.
Once airborne, the Twisty immediately feels alive. Roll response is fast and authoritative, even at low speeds, and the model is perfectly happy flying in confined airspace. Square maneuvers are crisp, axial rolls are impressively clean, and dynamic aerobatics are very much part of the experience. Rudder is very powerful and totally decoupled, so is not creating any parasite effect.
That said, the Twisty demands attention. Around neutral, roll stability is not perfect, and small deviations require constant correction. This seems to be a combination of servo precision and wing-pivot friction. It’s manageable, but it prevents the model from ever feeling completely “locked in.”
Stalls occur relatively late but can be abrupt, with a tendency to drop into a spin if mishandled. Recovery is quick, but this is clearly not a beginner’s glider.
With the motor off, the Twisty reveals its true nature. It accelerates cleanly in a dive, retains energy reasonably well for a foam model, and offers genuine soaring capability. Flight times are excellent: around eight minutes with frequent motor use, and considerably longer if you let it glide.
High-energy maneuvers should be flown with restraint. The thin wing joiner does its job, but brutal full-speed inputs are best avoided. Servo speed is adequate but not exceptional, slightly softening the stops at the end of figures. Knife-edge flight is possible and effective thanks to the lateral area of the fuselage.
Landing is straightforward. The model slows nicely on final, and the reinforced fuselage underside does an excellent job of protecting the foam during belly landings.
Conclusion
The Twisty is not perfect. Control precision could be better from my point of view and field assembly could be more practical. But once you’re flying it, those criticisms fade quickly into the background. Fun, acrobatic, and delightfully unconventional, the Twisty is a glider designed to turn your world upside down… sometimes quite literally.
I know that the second batch will fix some of the issue raised, as Kavan is listening to their customers. At the end, this is a rare and refreshing model, full of personality, capable of aerobatics that few gliders can match, and endlessly entertaining both on the slope and over flat ground. If you’re looking for something different—something playful, agile, and a little rebellious—the Twisty delivers, for a reasonnable price, and RTF!
All in all, it will remain an enriching experience for me, designing a glider for a major brand. So perhaps another glider soon? Who knows...
Characteristics
- Wingspan 1512 mm
- Length 1005 mm
- Weight 750 gr
- Wing surface 23.8 dm2
- https://kavanrc.com/en/item/kavan-twisty-1512mm-arf-green-168157