Ka-8 Irkutyanin

The Ka‑8 Irkutyanin, developed by the Soviet design bureau Kamov in the 1930s, was a successful helicopter produced by the firm and one of the pioneering rotorcraft in the world. Designed by Nikolay Kamov and his team, the aircraft made its maiden flight on 31 May 1933 at the Irkutsk Aerodrome, earning its nickname “Irkutyanin” after the city of its birth. The Ka‑8 featured a single main rotor driven by a 75‑horsepower M‑2 radial engine, a wooden fuselage and an open cockpit that accommodated a pilot and a passenger. Its lightweight construction and modest power allowed it to lift a payload of up to 250 kg, reach a maximum speed of 115 km/h, and stay aloft for roughly one hour. Although limited by its rudimentary controls and lack of stabilising rotor, the Ka‑8 demonstrated reliable autorotation and laid the groundwork for Kamov’s later twin‑rotor configurations. The aircraft’s operational record, which included experimental flights, pilot training, and a stint in civil aviation, proved the feasibility of rotary‑wing flight and accelerated the development of more advanced helicopters such as the Ka‑12 and Ka‑26. Today the Ka‑8 Irkutyanin is remembered as a foundational step in Soviet rotorcraft engineering and a symbol of Kamov’s innovative legacy.

Kamov

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Design & Classification