The Kaman K-225 is an American experimental helicopter developed by Kaman Aircraft. One example was modified to become the world's first gas turbine-powered helicopter.
| K-225 | |
|---|---|
| |
| XHTK-1 modified with a Boeing 502 (YT50) turboshaft engine | |
| Role | Experimental helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Kaman Aircraft |
| First flight | 15 January 1947 (K-125) |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | United States Navy United States Coast Guard |
| Number built | 7 |
Design and development
editThe 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. The United States Air Force evaluated one K-225 with the designation YH-22.
A modified K-225 equipped with a Boeing 502 (YT50) turboshaft engine became the first gas turbine-powered helicopter in December 1951.[2] This aircraft is now at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
A standard K-225 is preserved in the New England Air Museum at Windsor Locks Connecticut.
In 1953, the Turkish Army purchased one Kaman K-225 helicopter and a K-225 was the first helicopter flown in Turkey.[3]
Variants
edit
- K-125
- first two-seat prototype with 125 hp (93 kW) Lycoming O-390-3 engine and moulded plywood fuselage and bubble canopy.
- K-190
- improved prototype with 190 hp (140 kW) Lycoming engine, certified in April 1949
- K-190A
- open frame three-seat helicopter, powered by a 175 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-435-C engine. Type certified on April 15, 1949.[4]
- K-190B
- four-seat version.
- K-225
- improved model, powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Lycoming O-435-A2 engine, certified on September 16, 1949.[4]
- K-5
- designation for K-225 with Boeing T50-BO-2 model 502 engine.
- YH-22
- United States Air Force designation for one K-225 bought for evaluation.
Specifications (K-225)
edit
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Length: 22 ft 5 in (6.83 m)
- Height: 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)
- Empty weight: 1,799 lb (816 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,703 lb (1,226 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-435-2 6-cyl. air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engine, 225 hp (168 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 2 × 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 73 mph (117 km/h, 63 kn)
See also
editRelated development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
edit
Notes
edit- ^ "Hall of Fame/Inventor Profile: Charles Kaman"
- ^ Boeing Model 502 Gas Turbine Engine Archived 2011-06-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Turkish Kaman 225".
- ^ a b Federal Aviation Administration (September 26, 1950). "Helicopter Specification No. 1H1" (PDF). faa.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ Eckland, K.O. (2009-03-07). "American Airplane Ka-Ku". usa: Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ Kaman K-225 Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, cit. 28. 1. 2013
Bibliography
edit- "Hall of Fame/Inventor Profile: Charles Kaman". National Inventors Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2009-01-06. Retrieved 2009-01-27.