The Star Aircraft division of Phillips Petroleum was formed at Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1928. Designers E A “Gus” Riggs and William “Billy” Parker prepared plans for a two-passenger high-wing light private owner aircraft intended for the lower cost end of the market. The advertised cost was $3,450 with a 90hp Lambert R-266 engine. They were also advertised with a 60hp LeBlond or 75hp Velie engine for $2,985. Three Cavalier A planes were delivered in 1928.
The Cavalier B (ATC 138) followed in 1929 fitted with a lower powered 55 hp Velie M-5 engine and 15 examples were sold at $2,895 to owners of more modest means. Some were fitted with 80hp Genet and 90hp Lambert R-266 engines. The fifteen included NC24B, NC263K, NC331H, NC350M and 351M, NC451, NC453, NC450, NC941E, NC960H, NC990H, NC7239 and N7249.
A single example of the Cavalier C (ATC 255) followed. The Cavalier C NC993H was powered by a 60hp LeBlond 5D engine for $2,985.
Two examples of the 1929 Cavalier D (ATC 2-191) were built, powered by 80hp Genet engines.
The next to secure modest success was the Cavalier E (ATC 321) of 1930 which had a 90 h.p. Lambert R-266 and was fitted with a taller, more angular, tail fin. Priced at $3,450 thirteen were sold (NC9E, NC13E, NC71W, NC350V, NC397V, NC636W, NC678W, NC980N, NC10359, NC10535, NC10583, NC10585, and NC11007).
The last of the Cavalier series was the single 1930 F model N69W with a Warner Jr engine.
The several Cavalier models served private owners in the touring role until the curtailment of civil flying in the USA in late 1941. Five Cavaliers remain on the U.S. civil aircraft register in mid-2009. Cavalier B N14860 of 1930 was on public display, in airworthy condition, at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum at Dauster Field, Creve Coeur, Missouri near St Louis.
Cavalier A
Engine: 90 h.p. Lambert R-266
Wingspan: 31’6″
Length: 19’8″
Useful load: 578 lb
Max speed: 120 mph
Cruise: 100 mph
Stall: 35 mph
Seats: 2
Cavalier A
Engine: 60hp LeBlond
Wingspan: 31’6″
Length: 19’8″
Max speed: 105 mph
Cruise: 87 mph
Stall: 38 mph
Seats: 2
Cavalier A
Engine: 75hp Velie
Wingspan: 31’6″
Length: 19’8″
Max speed: 105 mph
Cruise: 87 mph
Stall: 38 mph
Seats: 2
Cavalier B
Engine: 1 × Velie M-5, 55 hp (41 kW)
Wingspan: 31 ft 6 in (9.60 m)
Wing profile: Clark Y
Length: 19 ft 11 in (6.07 m)
Useful lift: 538 lb ( kg)
Maximum speed: 100 mph (161 km/h)
Cruise speed: 85 mph (137 km/h)
Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h)
Range: 500 miles (800 km)
Crew: 1
Capacity: 1 passenger
Cavalier B
Engine: 80 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley Genet
Seats: 2
Cavalier B
Engine: 90 h.p. Lambert R-266
Seats: 2
Cavalier C
Engine: 60 h.p. LeBlond 5D
Seats: 2
Cavalier D
Engine: 60 h.p LeBlond.
Seats: 2
Cavalier D
Engine: 80hp Genet
Seats: 2
Cavalier E
Engine: 90 h.p. Lambert R-266
Length: 19’8″
Useful load: 550 lb
Max speed: 105 mph
Cruise: 87 mph
Stall: 38 mph
Range: 360 mi
Seats: 2
Cavalier F
Engine: Warner Junior
Seats: 2
All Aero 