| Ka-1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Kayaba Ka-1 | |
| Role | Autogyro |
| Manufacturer | Kayaba Industry |
| First flight | 26 May 1941 |
| Primary user | Imperial Japanese Army Air Force |
| Produced | 1941-1945 |
| Number built | 240 |
The Kayaba Ka-1 was a Japanese autogyro, seeing service during World War II.
Design and development
The Imperial Japanese Army developed the Ka-1 autogyro for reconnaissance, artillery-spotting, and anti-submarine uses. The Ka-1 was based on an American design, the Kellett KD-1A, which had been imported to Japan in 1939, but which was damaged beyond repair shortly after arrival.[1] The Kayaba Industry was then asked by the Army First to develop a similar machine, and the first prototype was flying on 26 May 1941.[2] The craft was initially developed for use as an observation platform and for artillery spotting duties. The Japanese Army liked the craft's short take-off span, and its low maintenance requirements. The production began in 1941 and the first autogyros were assigned to artillery units for artillery spotting. These carried two crewmen: a pilot and a spotter.
Later, the Japanese Army commissioned a small aircraft carrier, Akitsu Maru, intended for coastal antisubmarine (ASW) duties. The Ka-1 was modified by eliminating the spotter's position in order to carry one small depth charge.[3] The carrier was later sunk by American submarines on November 15, 1944.
The prototype, Ka-1 was essentially the repaired Kellett KD-1A. The Ka-1 had a change of the engine to the 240 hp Argus As 10c. But only about 20 Ka-1 were made. The Ka-1 employed similar aspects to the Focke-Wulf Fw 61, which was first flown in 1936.[4]
The production of the remainder were all Ka-2. The Ka-2 returned to the same Jacobs L-4MA-7 engine as the Kellett KD-1. Total Ka-1 and Ka-2 production was approximately 240.[5]
Specifications (Ka-1)
Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1-2
- Length: 9.2 m (30 ft 2⅛ in)
- Rotor diameter: 12.2 m (40 ft 0¼in)
- Height: ()
- Disc area: 117 m² (10.9 ft²)
- Empty weight: 775 kg (1,709 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 1,170 kg (2,574 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 10c air-cooled inverted V8 engine, 180 kW (241 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 165 km/h (89 knots, 102 mph)
- Cruise speed: 115 km/h (62 knots,71 mph)
- Range: 280 km (151 nm, 174 mi)
- Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,500 ft)
- Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)
Armament
References
- Notes
- ↑ Francillon 1979, p. 143.
- ↑ Francillon 1979, p. 144.
- ↑ Francillon 1979, pp. 144–145.
- ↑ "European Helicopter Pioneers". www.vectorsite.net. http://www.vectorsite.net/avheli_1.html#m4. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Francillon 1979, p. 145.
- ↑ When Operated as a single seater.
- Bibliography
- Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970. ISBN 0-370-00033-1 (2nd edition 1979, ISBN 0-370-30251-6).
External links
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