Ka-15, N.I.Kamov (NATO 'Hen')

Shipborn 2-seat helicopter, utilizing the Ka-10 coaxial scheme and twin-rudder tail. Enclosed cockpit and 4-wheel landing gear made Ka-15 much more practical than the predecessor. Ka-15 was built for VMF as submarine spotter, observation (ice fields) and liaison machine.

First prototype was completed at the very end of 1952. Its fuselage had metal frame. Nose section had extensive glazing (plus ply-cover), rear section had stressed skin. A short tailboom supported the braced tailplane with twin wedge-shaped endplates. Rudders vere equipped with trim tabs. Ka-15 tailfins were toed-in - later this feature became classic one for N.I.Kamov twin-rotor helicopters.

The undercarriage comprised:

• two main single-wheel units with shock absorbing struts and wheel brakes;
• two castoring nosewheels with lever suspension and oleopneumatic shock absorption;
• tail bumper;

The engine with cooling fan, combined clutch, distributing reductor were located behind the crew compartment. Tapered rotor blades were of spruce construction with plastic foam packing, covered with painted and polished thin ply and fabric. Friction dampers were fitted on the flapping hinges. Rotors were equipped with automatic disk brakes, restricting the rotor rotation speed.

First hovering (April 13, 1953) and first circle flight (July 27, 1953) were performed by D.P.Efremov. Ka-15 was first reported to the West in 1956.

Ka-15 flown by pilot V.V.Vinnitskij to establish two World speed records on closed circuit:

• May 29 1958: 162.784km/h on 100km
• May 6 1959: 170.445km/h on 500km

Latest one still stays (see FAI data).

Production Ka-15 were equipped for day and night operations in fine weather. Control in pitch and roll was by cyclic-pitch lever, yaw control was by pedals operating collective-pitch and rudders. Collective-pitch lever was also linked to the throttle.

Trainer variant with dual controls was first flown by D.K.Efremov for the first time August 5, 1954. This helicopter, as well as civil conversion Ka-15M and following Ka-18 design were built in series at Kumertau Aircraft Factory. Since the end of 1960 production machines had more powerful AI-14VF engine.

Ka-15 served only within the USSR borders. In addition to observation and liaison roles with Army and Navy, it was used by Aeroflot as ambulance, agricultural (Ka-15M), mail delivery and pipeline patrolling.

14k Drawing from Virtual Aircraft Museum