Charles Kaman, son of a German immigrant and helicopter pioneer best known for his designs with intermeshing rotors, but whose real business success came diversifing into aerospace subcontracting, materials, music and industrial fields, has died at the age of 91.
In 1954, one of his Navy HTK trainers was modified to became the world’s first turbine helicopter. It also became the first remote controlled helicopter.
The HTK and HOK were produced in the 50s for the USN and USMC, the latter was reengined with a turbine (freeing up the entire rear fuselage in the process for passengers or cargo) and went into production for the USAF and foreign users as the HH-43B & F.
His company also produced the Seaprite single rotor helicopter of the USN (noteworthy because they were later re-engined by adding a second turbine), later it became a dedicated ASW machine.
In recent years, the aeropspace part of his firm built the K-Max, basically a single seat Huskie for external load/logging/firefighting use. It is under consideration for unmammed USN replenishment duties.
His official company obit also notes..
“While building a worldwide reputation as a successful inventor and entrepreneur, Mr. Kaman also became admired for his humanitarian efforts in connection with his work for the vision-impaired. With his late wife, Roberta, he founded Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, a groundbreaking business which breeds and trains guide dogs for the blind at its Bloomfield, CT headquarters.”
By: Growler - 6th February 2011 at 10:28
Kaman was also a keen guitarist and he and his engineers applied the knowledge of the vibration properties of materials to develop the Ovation line of guitars, notable for their parabolic shaped composite (“Lyrachord”) backs. I own and play one and they are beautiful instruments. The man was a true innovator.
By: Arthur - 5th February 2011 at 13:35
In 1954, one of his Navy HTK trainers was modified to became the world’s first turbine helicopter. It also became the first remote controlled helicopter.
The first turbine helicopter was actually a modified Ka-225 (also by Kaman, not Kamov) in 1951. The modified HTK was the first twin turbine helo.
By: J Boyle - 5th February 2011 at 03:10
Back in the 90s I found a copy of the Kaman company-published book
Kaman, Our early Years at at used bookstore.
I contacted Mr Kaman’s office and sent the book which he kindly autographed.
I can’t recommend the book strongly enough if you’re into helicopter history.
It goes into considerable detail Kaman’s interest in the Fairey Rotodyne.
Aside from having he US license and getting orders from NY Airways, it says they had a fair sized order from the US Army all but finalized, but the Army lost interest when the design was increaded in size for European intercity routes.
By: Flying-A - 5th February 2011 at 02:34
I was once acquainted with an older gentleman who had been a college classmate of Charles Kaman and one of the first shareholders in his company. This led to an opportunity to pilot an early Kaman “synchrocopter.” Although he had no previous experience flying helicopters, he found it an easy aircraft to fly and very stable.
He also told me that the first Kaman rotor blades were carved out of spruce by an elderly gentleman who had learned the trade of skimaking in his native Norway. Kaman later pioneered composite blades and legend has it that the company’s move into musical instruments was due in part to find work for its experienced woodworkers.
By: super sioux - 4th February 2011 at 20:39
Helicopter pioneer dies.
I post news that Kaman the American helicopter designer, amongst many of his skills has died. Here is what Flight says in his obituary.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/02/01/352636/helicopter-pioneer-kaman-dies-at-91.html
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February 4, 2011 at 12:25 am
