Kadiak KC-2 Speedster

The Kadiak KC-2 Speedster is a two seat, radial engined homebuilt biplane designed prior to WWII.

Design and development

The KC-2 was an original design of Everett E. David, built in 1931.^[1]

The aircraft was built with a welded steel tube fuselage, wooden wings, and fabric covering. It originally used a 95 hp (71 kW) Velie M-5 5-cylinder radial engine,^[2] later replaced with a similar but more powerful 90 hp (67 kW) Lambert, and was designed for engines up to 145 hp (108 kW).

Operational history

The designer sold the KC-2 in 1939. It was storm damaged post-war, rebuilt and re-licensed, remaining active until at least 1977.^[2]

Specifications

Data from Experimenter

General characteristics

• Length: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)
• Wingspan: 19 ft 10 in (6.05 m)
• Height: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
• Wing area: 104 sq ft (9.7 m²)
• Airfoil: Clark Y, NACA M1
• Empty weight: 760 lb (345 kg)
• Gross weight: 1,080 lb (490 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lambert R-267 5- cylinder radial, 90 hp (67 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 132 kn; 245 km/h (152 mph)
• Cruise speed: 113 kn; 209 km/h (130 mph)
• Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,900 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,100 ft/min (5.6 m/s)
• Wing loading: 10.4 lb/sq ft (51 kg/m²)

References