Kellett K-2

K-2, K-3, and K-4
Role	Utility autogiro
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Kellett Autogiro Corporation
First flight	24 April 1931
Number built	16

The Kellett K-2 was a two-seat autogiro developed in the United States in the early 1930s. Later examples were designated K-3 and K-4 when equipped with more powerful engines. In design, it was similar to the Cierva and Pitcairn autogiros of the day; an airplane-like fuselage with a nose-mounted engine, surmounted by a rotor mast. Also like some of Cierva's designs, the K-2 featured stubby fixed wings for additional lift, and as a mount for ailerons, for lateral control. The pilot and a single passenger sat side-by-side in an open cockpit, although a folding canopy (similar to that of a convertible automobile) was available as an optional extra. The first flight took place on 24 April 1931, and certification by the Department of Commerce was granted on 27 May.

Kellett built a batch of 12 K-2s, and the type was evaluated by the United States Army as a slow-flying reconnaissance machine to observe enemy troop movements. Its performance was, however, judged to be too limited for military use.

The K-3 of 1932 was virtually identical, but featured a Kinner engine in place of the original Continental Motors unit. One of these machines (c/n 18, registration NR12615) became the first rotary-wing aircraft to fly in Antarctica, when taken there on Richard E. Byrd's second Antarctic expedition, in 1933-34. It crashed in Antarctica on 28 September 1934 and was left there. Two K-3s were also sold to the Japanese War Office.

A K-2 (c/n 2, originally registered NC10767) was discovered derelict in a barn and restored to flying condition by Al Letcher of Mojave in 2002. This machine had been used in the Army evaluation of 1931, and in 2008 is displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Variants

• K-2 - original version with Continental A70 engine (12 built)
  • K-2A - vesion with Continental R-670 engine (4 converted from K-2)
• K-3 - version with Kinner C-5 engine (4 built, plus 2 coververted from K-2)
• K-4 - version with Continental R-670 (1 converted from K-2)

Specifications (K-3)

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m)
• Wingspan: 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m)
• Main rotor diameter: 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
• Main rotor area: 1,320 ft² (122.7 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,647 lb (748 kg)
• Gross weight: 2,400 lb (1,090 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Kinner C-5, 210 hp (160 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 110 mph (70 km/h)
• Range: 250 miles (160 km)
• Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 558–59. ISBN 0710607105. 
• National Museum of the USAF Fact Sheet
• aerofiles.com
• O'Leary, Michael (June 2002). "It's a Kellett!". Air Classics. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3901/is_200206/ai_n9147828/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1. Retrieved 2008-09-02.