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In 1950 at the same time as Kaman was working on the Marine Corps Observation Helicopter, the Company was awarded another contract by the Navy to produce a trainer helicopter. Designated the HTK-1, this was a refined version of the earlier K-225 and twenty-nine of these HTK-1s were built between 1951 and 1953. They served with the Navy at Pensacola until 1957. The HTK-1 was powered by a Lycoming O-435-4 piston engine developing 240hp. P.Allen "The Helicopter", 1996
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The first production HTK-1 for the Navy is flanked by a similar commercial machine. A large ventral/dorsal fin was later added to the center tail section.
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Painted overall Orange-Yellow, this HTK-1 wears the markings of Helicopter Training Unit One (HTU-1). Kaman's trademark servo flaps are clearly visible on the rotors. A locally-fabricated skid has been added to the center tail fin.
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An HTK U.S. Navy trainer seen in April 1951.
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Personnel of HU-1 "Flying Angels" test a 6m nylon rescue ladder they devised for their HTK-1 during July 1958. The HTK-1 shared rescue duties at NAS Barbers Point with a hoist-equipped Sikorsky HO3S-1
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The second production HTK-1 practices water landings during float gear evaluations.
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The first Kaman drone helicopter, the HTK-1K nicknamed the "Yellow Peril", in its original configuration, is tethered for preliminary flight trials during Spring 1953.
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The "Yellow Peril", after modifications, is put through its paces during the late 1950s.
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During 1958, one of Kaman's drones was tested with an elctric motor in place of its piston engine. Current from a generator on the ground powered the motor.
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An HTK U.S. Navy trainer seen in April 1951.
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The HTK-1 Bureau Number 128657 was extensively modified to become the world's first twin-turbine helicopter. Here, the aircraft makes a sharp flare on landing during 1956.
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The first twin turbine helicopter. In March 1954 the experimental HTK-2 was fitted with twin Boeing 502-2 engines.
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Technical data for Kaman HTK-1
Engine: 1 x Lycoming O-435 pistone engine, rated at 180kW,
rotor diameter: 12.2m,
take-off weight: 1155kg,
empty weight: 735kg,
max speed: 130km/h,
max speed: 130km/h,
cruising speed: 101km/h,
range: 212km
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ZiHQSzjHvCuHFYMoN, e-mail, 14.03.2023 | reply |
doors2.txt;1 | XTVNbrUGkkgLBpnUCRNb, e-mail, 16.08.2022 | reply |
ba6f5LlWTiqSyF0BVwFOMZ3F9lyXN8YlDdhdus3n6bfx6s6G9AdbvnTFswbJOI9DnACoyI9pEyw3uSuUeWUdWmd0wwxvYKx12LpzjWLU53PZaHREp3441zi0H462iJa4RyGNjIujXXjpdjTvk8jYvQZnLrmksP6ldR6lOBDincEXgKwTOB | S. Cummings, e-mail, 09.03.2020 | reply |
My mother, Doris Prario, was the first woman to fly the K-240, soloing Fri, 13 June 1958 after 10 hours of instruction in San Diego, CA. The event was later documented by the San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Oct 1958 edition. |
Earl L. Roemer, e-mail, 11.02.2018 | reply |
I owned, flew (most briefly!) and personally restored the Kaman HTK-1 on display at Tillamook. It has a Lycoming O-540, 240 hp engine on it...from the factory. I owned the last 3 of the 29 manufactured. I have extensive photos--the museum wanted none of them. | Cordell Bahn, e-mail, 19.09.2015 | reply |
Yesterday I was looking at a Kaman HTK-1 at the Tillamook Aviation Museum in Oregon and noted that it had a six cylinder engine, not a four. Six is the number noted in other sources of information on the O-435. I'd appreciate anything that anyone might ad. Thank you. | Roger Desjardins, e-mail, 02.12.2010 | reply |
Very nice webpage. I wonder if Microsoft finally incorporated an early years Kaman into their Flightsimulator versions after 2004. Thats the version I fly at present. I spend all my spare time flying the Robinson R22 Beta II in simulation but I sure would like to fly a Kaman to get a feel for the handling of a twin rotor helicopter. |
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My sister and I got a ride in a Kaman K-240 at the Lazy 8 Ranch resort in Pauma Valley CA in about 1959 /1960. I think we were 7 and 9 years old. I am wondering if this was the same helicopter your mother soloed in SD in 1958? Our pilot was a middle aged man.
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