Ka-56. A photo. History. Characteristics.

Ka-56 - this ultra-light helicopter. The need for such aircraft has arisen in the x and 40-50-ies. The whole world is looking for a solution to actively create data helicopters. In the Soviet Union, this work has begun NI Kamov.

Under the leadership of Nikolai Ilyich 1946 it was designed and created the first Soviet single Ka-8 called "from Irkutsk." In Tushino July 48 years to conduct an air parade was first introduced to this model. Journalists nicknamed him "air bike." The helicopter is designed on a circuit coaxial main rotors. Also, the engine capacity was installed 38 hp

Following the test flights secretary general of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union I was very surprised such a successful model and instructed N. Kamov Ka to create on the basis of single-8 helicopter reconnaissance nature. However, his main task was to monitor and support communication for Navy ships. Because of this, there is a need to create a new OKB Kamov (1948 year). After some time, the engineers have designed a new and much improved model Ka-10. To do this, a helicopter requested aviation piston engine AI-4G production famous designer AG Ivanchenko

Excellent aerodynamic quality of the helicopter is provided due to the coaxial scheme of the rotors. The steering screw is completely missing. In turn, the aerodynamic symmetry of the main propellers system eliminated interlacing of the connection throughout the control system. It ensured the ease of control of the equipment, piloting, increased maneuverability at low altitudes and established a low level of vibration of the helicopter. Thanks to such a scheme (co-axial) and tests carried out, designers and engineers from the OKB greatly facilitated the task of solving the problem of vibration in air vehicles.

Twenty years later, namely in 1971, the government set a target to its decision to scientists from EDO to develop an ultralight single Air Force helicopter to the interests of the Soviet Union. In turn, the project to develop trusted Fomin SI (Deputy Chief Designer). One of the main requirements to the machine it was designed so that the helicopter can be folded compactly into a cylindrical container with a diameter not exceeding 500 millimeters. It was necessary for fast and easy transport single unit.

The helicopter was limited to underwater and surface vessels. From the transportation to operational status, the helicopter should be driven for 15 minutes and only one person. Also important was the independent maintenance of the model at a great distance from the site of deployment in conditions of prolonged use. These requirements immediately outlined the model of the future military air single-seat helicopter - a small and lightweight device with the ability to fold and without a large number of detachable elements throughout the layout.

In the period of 1956 1957 year in America it held a contest to create a single helicopter. The tests were single-rotor "Hiller" and coaxial "Girodayn." In their experience, our designers have started to search for possible solutions to the layout of the helicopter. As a result, none of the OP class did not get into production due to a number of obvious problems. The only advantage of single helicopter was their easy razbiraemost.

Special Design Bureau decided to set up on the basis of Ka-10 new ultralight air unit scheme collapsible corner. He was named Ka-56 «Wasp". It differed from the established analogue rotary-piston engine, air-cooled, and the compound of the wheel chassis with an elastic tail wheel.

Many problems have been solved through the use of rotary-piston engine. In addition to using conventional motor fuel, to solve problems of dimensions, and therefore transportation. At the same time a conventional piston engine was less uniform and had the increased levels of vibration and noise. Also, much worse is started at low temperatures. The new engine was less dependent on the supply of fuel and oil on the borders, far from their places of permanent deployment.

During the design of the future OP, a full-scale helicopter layout was created. On it, taking into account all the small details, the main decisions on the layout issues and the way of folding the units of the units or helicopter elements were worked out. The prototype included all the main modules: engine, coaxial bearing system, reducer, control and fuel tank. The nodes of the folded elements were made according to the scheme of kinematic single-moving pairs. And it was constructive, because there were six pairs that provided the entire process of unfolding and folding the helicopter in full operational position.

Only four blades of the main rotor of the coaxial scheme were separable elements of the whole structure. Docking of the blades was made with a quick-release finger component with a spring latch, which acted as a latch. With the exception of the blades, the rest of the carrier system and the helicopter control mechanism did not need adjustment work after the helicopter was deployed for operation. And thanks to the work done on helicopter design, the engineers managed to achieve positive results with the time spent on collecting or parsing the helicopter from the manned for transportation to ready for operation. The total time for this event was limited to 10 minutes using one person (pilot).

Power piston engine was 40 hp, but that in any case did not affect the usefulness of the air machine. The total take-off weight was 220 kg and the lift into the air, in addition to it, the helicopter could 110 kg of cargo. Single helicopter could fly up to the mark 1700 km total distance was surmountable 150 km, and the maximum speed reached 110 km / h.

But the helicopter did not hit any flight testing or, respectively, in serial production. The problem arose because of the lack of the country's aviation engine rotary-piston type for low power.

Ka-56 characteristics:

Ka-56. Gallery.

Helicopters