Late 80's RV Questions

That range setup is not unusual, or at least was not unusual relatively recently. There are two valves to control the oven, the thermostatic valve (which the knob attaches to) and a safety valve (hidden in the back somewhere). The pilot flame is on whenever the thermostatic valve is not off, but it varies in size: if no heat is being called for, it's a tiny little flame, but when the thermostatic valve detects it needs to turn the oven on, it increases the gas flow to the pilot and turns on gas to the safety valve simultaneously. There is a bulb by the pilot that controls the safety valve; when the bigger pilot flame warms it enough, the safety valve opens and the main burner gets gas and lights. Once the proper temperature is reached, the thermostatic valve closes the gas to the safety valve and cuts the pilot back down to a little flame, and the safety valve soon closes when the bulb cools off.

It is possible for the pilot to go out and still have some gas flowing to the pilot burner with this setup.