Kamov Ka-10

The Kamov Ka-10 (NATO reporting name Hat^[1] or Hattie) was a Soviet single-seat observation helicopter that first flew in 1949.

Ka-10
Ka-10M in flight
General information
Type	Observation helicopter
National origin	Soviet Union
Manufacturer	Kamov
Designer	Nikolay Kamov
Status	Retired
Primary user	Soviet Navy
Number built	16
History
First flight	September 1949
Developed from	Kamov Ka-8
Developed into	Kamov Ka-15

Design and development

The Ka-10 was a development of Nikolay Kamov's earlier Ka-8, which had been successful enough to allow Kamov to set up his own OKB (design bureau) in 1948.^[2] The Ka-10 was of similar layout to the Ka-8, with an open steel-tube structure carrying an engine, a pilot's seat and two three-bladed coaxial rotors.^[3] It was larger, however, with a revised transmission and rotor hub design, and a new engine specially designed for the helicopter, the 41 kilowatts (55 hp) Ivchenko AI-4 flat-four.^[2][4][5]

Operational history

The Ka-10 made its maiden flight in September 1949.^[4] Three more prototypes followed, which were evaluated by Soviet Naval Aviation. A Ka-10 was displayed at the 1950 Tushino Air Display, and one made the first landing by a Soviet helicopter on the deck of a ship on 7 December 1950.^[2][4]

In 1954, 12 of an improved version, the Ka-10M were built for the Maritime Border Troops. They had a twin tail rather than the single vertical fin of the Ka-10 and modified rotors and control systems.^[2][4]

Variants

Ka-10

Single-seat observation helicopter.

Ka-10M

Improved version fitted with twin tailfins and rudders.

Operators

 Soviet Union

• Soviet Navy^[6]

Specifications

Data from The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Length: 3.70 m (12 ft 1.75 in) (fuselage length)
• Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2.5 in)
• Empty weight: 234 kg (516 lb)
• Gross weight: 375 kg (827 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Ivchenko AI-4V , 41 kW (55 hp)
• Main rotor diameter: 2 × 6.12 m (20 ft 1 in)
• Main rotor area: 58.8 m² (633 sq ft)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 90 km/h (56 mph, 49 kn)
• Range: 95 km (59 mi, 51 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 1,000 m (3,300 ft)