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

10k photo, courtesy of Kamov Website

Success of military Ka-15 inspired N.I.Kamov to convert the machine for civil services. Changes in design were minimal, mostly in radio equipment and payload. First flight was performed by D.P.Efremov in 1956.

Following major civil configurations were produced:

• Passenger-mail carrier: one passenger seated beside the pilot and baggage in an external pannier;
• Ambulance: one or two patients may be carried in panniers attached to the fuselage sides;
• Agricultural: chemicals in two external containers, spraybar or spreader;

Comparison was performed with Mi-1NKh. Despite Ka-15M carried 40% less payload, wider spraybar and more economical engine made it a winner. Ka-15M could replace 300 men on the ground on vineyards spraying! Despite more expensive than fixed-wing dusters, helicopters have serious advantage: air flow from the rotor guarantees even spraying of both leaf sides.

All components of Ka-15M agricultural gear were designed by Kamov OKB.

Predecessors	Modifications
Ka-15	Ka-18

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Created March 17, 2000

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