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Kayaba Ka-2
History
The Kayaba Ka-2 was built as a successor to the Kayaba Ka-1, featuring a more powerful Jacobs L-4MA-7, 7 cylinder radial engine producing 245 hp (183 kW), this additional power came at a cost reducing the range of the aircraft from 240 km (149 mi, 130 nmi), compared to the Ka-1’s 280 km (170 mi, 150 nmi) due to its higher fuel consumption. The aircraft was designed as a reconnaissance, artillery monitoring and naval attack aircraft like the original Ka-1.
The Ka-2’s engine although more powerful than the Ka-1 had a reduced overall take-off weight, reducing the armament carrying capacity too. After the testing of the Ka-2 they decided not to go ahead with the production of the aircraft with the Jacob’s radial engine. Due to its decrease in efficiency, carrying capacity and a reduction in range to gain a little more speed, the Japanese Imperial Army decided to cancel the production of the Ka-2.
Operational History
The Kayaba Ka-2 went for testing and the results were disappointing and not a great successor to the Ka-1. Unfortunately the military variant the Ka-2 never saw an operational career, as far as we know.
Specifications
General characteristics
- Class: Autogyro (Helicopter)
- Crew: 2
- Production: 1 (total)
- Length: 9.20 m (30 ft 2 in)
- Width: 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in)
- Overall height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
- Empty weight: 745 kg (1,642 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,020 kg (2,249 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Jacobs L-AMA-7 radial engine
- Power: 183 kW (245 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 180 km/h (112 mph, 97 kn)
- Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
- Range: 240 km (149 mi, 130 nmi) (internal fuel)
- Endurance: 2 hours
- Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,485 ft)
- Rate of climb: 5 m/s (985 ft/min)
- Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,280 ft) - 3 min 20 secs
Armament
Guns: None
Depth Charges:
- 1 x 60kg (132 lb)
In Game
The Kayaba Ka-2 could help with introducing some players to helicopters. Being an autogyro it would take-off like a helicopter, but fly like a plane an interesting introductory helicopter. The Autogyro shows a great evolution of planes to helicopters. Its tier would be interesting too, its possible a new rank for helicopters could appear for really old helicopters. (Rank 4 or 5)
The new rank 4 would feature the earliest and oldest of military armed helicopters and autogyros from the interwar to WWII time period.
Photos
Sources
Kayaba autogyros | Secret Projects Forum
Kayaba Army Observation Autogyro Ka-1 / Ka-2 Info
Kayaba Ka-1 - Wikipedia
Japanese Secret Projects 2 X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft of the IJA and IJN 1922 - 1945, Edwin M. Dyer III (pg. 50 - 53)
Thanks for reading :)