Kaman K-225
| K-225 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| XHTK-1 modified with a Boeing 502 (YT50) turboshaft engine | |
| Role | Experimental helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Kaman Aircraft |
| First flight | 15 January 1947 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | United States Navy, United States Coast Guard |
| Number built | 7 |
| Unit cost |
$25,000
|
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.
Contents
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. 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 world's first gas turbine- powered helicopter in December 1951.[2] This aircraft is now at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
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
- YH-22
- United States Aircraft designation for one K-225 bought for evaluation.
- XHTK-1
- United States Navy designation for two K-225s bought for evaluation.
- XHTK-1G
- Designation for one K-225 evaluated by the United States Coast Guard
Specifications (K-225)
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
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
,Notes
- ↑ "Hall of Fame/Inventor Profile: Charles Kaman"
- ↑ Boeing Model 502 Gas Turbine Engine
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Kaman K-225, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, cit. 28. 1. 2013
- Bibliography
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kaman K-225. |
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- "New 'Copter Almost Flies Itself"
