Kamov Ka-26 small utility flying machine

First flown in 1965, the Kamov Ka-26 is widely used as an agricultural, ambulance. fire-fighting, survey and search-and-rescue helicopter. Its adaptability is largely a result of its unusual configuration. The piston engines are mounted on short wings and this allows a variety payloads, including chemical spraying equipment, to be mounted aft if the enclosed cabin. It is a very compact design because the contra-rotating rotors mean that a tail rotor is not required.

When configured for geophysical prospecting, the Ka-26 carriers a large ring which produce electro-magnetic pulses. Search-and-rescue variants have a winch for towing rescue boats. Full instrumentation is provided for flying by day or night, and in all weathers.

The compact dimensions of the Kamova Ka-26 allow it to fly from small ships as well as from land bases. It has even been fitted with floats and flown as a spotter aircraft from fishing boats. Military versions, designated “Hoodlum” by NATO, were delivered to Bulgaria and Hungary for border patron and liaison, and others may also be in service with Benin and Russia.

In 1981 Kamov started work on a turbine-powered version of Ka-26. The original scheme involved replacing the piston engines by two small turbines, but this was abandoned in favourod a single 537 kW TV-O-100 above the cabin.

One Ka-26 was used as a testbed for Kamovs jet thrust anti-torque system, which was similar to the NOTAR (no tail rotor) concept developed by McDonnell Douglas Helicopters. Kamov intended to use this system in the development of Ka-118, which was planned as a five-seat business helicopter with just one main rotor. The K-26 use glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) rotor blades. They weigh only 25 kg (55 lb) each and are de-iced by an alcohol-glycerine mixture. It also use the co-axial contra-rotating rotor system which had been used on the earlier Ka-25 Hormone. Each of the air-cooled engines has a large fan fitted in the front of its nacelle. These ensure a sufficient supply of cooling air, even at slow air-speeds.

By 2011 nearly 1,200 Ka-26s had been built. With its strength, quality and versatility, the Kamov Ka-26 is likely to remain in service for next decade.

For more information see Kamov Ka-126, Kamov Ka-226 or Kamov Ka-226T.


Name: Kamov Ka-26 Role: Utility Helicopter
First Flight: 1965. Introduction: 1966.
Primary User: Civilian Service: In Service
Crew: 2 (pilots) Capacity: 8
Length: 7.75 m (25 ft 5 in) Rotor Diameter: 13.00 m (42 ft 8 in)
Height: 4.05 m (13 ft 3½ in) Weight: 1,950 kg (4,300 lb)
Loaded Weight: 2,500 kg (6,400 lb) Max. Weight: 3,250 kg (7,170 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Vedeneyev M-14 V-26 Power: 239 kW (320 hp)
Max. Speed: 170 km/h (91 knots, 105 mph) Range: 400 km (215 nmi, 248 mi)
Rate Of Climb: 5.4 m/s (1,050 ft/min) Service Ceiling: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)
Number Built: 1,200
Unit Cost: 530.000 USD

Kamov Ka-26 Video

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