Boeing Vertol (Kawasaki) KV 107
- CountryUnited States of America
- TypeMedium to heavylift utility helicopter
- PowerplantsTwo 930kW (1250shp) General Electric CT581101 or IshikawajimaHarima built CT58IHI1101 turboshafts driving two three-blade rotors.
- PerformanceKV 107/II2 - Max speed 270km/h (146kt), economical cruising speed 232km/h (125kt). Initial rate of climb 1440ft/min. Hovering ceiling out of ground effect 8800ft. Range with a three tonne (6600lb) payload and reserves 175km (95kt).
- WeightsKV 107/II2 - Empty equipped 4868kg (10,723lb), max takeoff 8618kg (19,000lb).
- DimentionsDiameter of each rotor 15.24m (50ft 0in), fuselage length 13.59m (44ft 7in), height 5.09m (16ft 9in). Main rotor disc area (total) 364.6m2 (3925sq ft).
- CapacityFlightcrew of two. Typical seating for 23 to 25 passengers in airliner configuration, or 12 passengers and freight in combi configuration. Executive configuration seats six to 11 passengers in main cabin.
- ProductionTotal BV/KV 107 production approximately 650, with almost all for military customers. Small numbers remained in commercial service in late 1998.
Boeing Vertol's Model 107 is best known as the military Ch46 Sea Knight, however little numbers were constructed as aerial shuttles and utility transports for business clients.
The then free Vertol organization (at one time Piasecki) composed the 107 in the late 1950s as a medium lift helicopter for US Army assessment. Three model Lycoming turboshaft fueled Vertol 107s were constructed (the Army requested 10) assigned Yhc1as, and first flight happened on August 27 1958. At that point however the Army's advantage had exchanged to what would turn into the Chinook and it submitted no requests. However in February 1961 Vertol (Boeing gained Vertol in 1960) won a US Marine Corps rivalry with a created General Electric T58ge8 controlled rendition of the BV 107, and the sort was requested into creation as the Ch46a Sea Knight.
The business 107 is focused around the Ch46a controlled by the civilianised Ct58110 (identical to the T58ge8). The primary business 107 to fly was one of the three unique improvement airplane manufactured for the US Army changed over to the new standard, its first flight in the new design was on October 25 1960. Offered in two structures, the KV 107/Ii1 utility transport and KV 107/Ii2 carrier, just the last was fabricated. KV 107/Ii2 clients included New York Airlines, who requested three designed to seat 25, Columbia Helicopters in the US (Columbia still works KV 107s) and Japan's Air Lift. An all the more capable 1045kw (1400shp) Ct581401 fueled longer extend KV 107/Iia17 was offered and one was manufactured for the Tokyo Police.
Japan's Kawasaki assembled all business 107s, and has held assembling rights to the 107 since 1965. Kawasaki has additionally fabricated KV 107s for the Japanese military and Saudi Arabia.
Pictures of Boeing Vertol (Kawasaki) KV 107
