Kimura HK-1

Last updated
HK-1
KN Kayaba HK1 1939.jpg
RoleResearch glider
National originJapan
ManufacturerIto Airplane Works
Designer Hidemasa Kimura
Introduction1939
Retired1940
StatusCancelled
Number built1
Developed into Kayaba Ku-2

The Kimura HK-1 was a glider built in Japan in 1939 to investigate the possibilities of tailless aircraft. It was a single-seat design with an open cockpit, swept wings, and a single tail fin. The HK-1 made a total of 169 test flights between 15 December 1939 and 7 March 1940, towed aloft behind a car.

By this time, the glider's success had attracted the attention of the Army, which arranged to purchase the aircraft. It was taken to the Tachikawa factory for testing, but crashed after only 13 flights, on 16 April 1940. The design proved sufficiently interesting for the Army to commission further research into the tailless concept, which would lead to the Kayaba Ku-2.


Specifications

General characteristics

Performance

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