K-2

The Kalinin K‑2 was a Soviet passenger and cargo monoplane developed in the early 1930s by the design bureau of Konstantin Kalinin. Conceived as a follow‑up to the successful K‑1 trainer, the K‑2 was intended to serve regional airlines on short‑haul routes across the vast Soviet territory. Its first flight took place in 1931 from the Khodynka aerodrome, and the type entered limited production the following year. Built of a metal‑wood structure, the aircraft featured a high‑wing layout that provided excellent stability and good visibility for pilots and passengers alike. It was powered by a single Shvetsov M‑22 radial engine delivering about 480 horsepower, allowing a maximum speed of 215 km/h, a service ceiling of 5,500 meters, and a range of roughly 800 km with a payload of up to 1,000 kilograms. The cabin could accommodate eight passengers on wicker seats, while a cargo compartment could be fitted for mail or freight. Although only a few dozen K‑2s were built, the design demonstrated the feasibility of reliable, all‑purpose transport aircraft for the Soviet Union and paved the way for later Kalinin models such as the K‑4 and K‑7, influencing the evolution of civil aviation during the pre‑war era.

Konstantin Kalinin

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification