Kaman K-225
| K-225 | |
|---|---|
| |
| H-22 undergoing U.S. Navy trials | |
| Role | Experimental helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Kaman Aircraft |
| First flight | 15 January 1947 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | United States Navy, United States Coast Guard |
The Kaman K-225 was an experimental helicopter developed by Kaman Aircraft. One was modified to become the world's first gas turbine powered helicopter.
Design and development
The K-125 was Charles Kaman's first helicopter, which utilized intermeshing rotors and Kaman's patented servo-flap stability control.[1] The K-125 first flew on 15 January 1947.
The K-190 and K-225 were an improved versions of the K-125, which first flew in April and July 1949 respectively. The U.S. Navy bought two and the Coast Guard one for $25,000 each. Later, they received the H-22 designation.
A modified K-225 equipped with a Boeing 502 (YT50) engine became the world's first gas turbine powered helicopter in December 1951.[2] This aircraft is now at the Smithsonian.
Variants
- K-125
- first prototype
- K-190
- improved prototype version of K-125 and licensed in April 1949
- K-225
- improved prototype version of K-125 (and K-190) and licensed in July 1949
- H-22
- production designation for the K-225
Specifications (K-225)
Data from [3]
General characteristics
- Length: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
- Width: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)
- Height: 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)
- Empty weight: 1,799 lb (816 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-435-2 6-cyl. air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engine, 225 hp (168 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 73 mph (117 km/h, 63 kn)
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ "Hall of Fame/Inventor Profile: Charles Kaman"
- ^ Boeing Model 502 Gas Turbine Engine
- ^ Eckland, K.O. (3/7/09). "American Airplane Ka-Ku". usa: Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
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- "Hall of Fame/Inventor Profile: Charles Kaman". National Inventors Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
External links
- "New 'Copter Almost Flies Itself" 1949 Popular Science article on Kaman K-190 and the blade intermesh technology developed by Kaman — ie rare photos
- K-125 helicopter
- K-190 helicopter
- K-225 helicopter
- Eckland, K.O. (3/7/09). "American Airplane Ka-Ku". usa: Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)