Jun 142009
Artwork and an old photo of the Kaman K-16B VTOL testbed. Built in the mid ’50’s, this little tiltwing airplane based on a Grumman Goose was hoped to achieve VTOL performance with the aid of the Kaman-invented “Rotaprop” props which had articualted flaps. As it happened, the plane never flew (I believe it did some tethered tests, not sure if it got airborne).
I’ve seen this aircraft up close a few times at the New England Air Museum and have a bunch of photos, if people are interested.
4 Responses to “Kaman K-16B”
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I’ve had my mind on a conversion since Lindberg re-released its crude but affordable Goose kit, and would be delighted to see pictures.
[…] a followup to this and this, here are photos I took of the Kaman K-16B VTOL testbed in late 2007. When compared to the 2001 […]
I know one of the original Kaman mechanics on this aircraft, Bob Penikas. He might know if it flew.
It “flew” tethered. Also in the Langley Wind Tunnel.