The British Klemm B.K.1 Eagle light multi-purpose aircraft was a rather interesting creation by British aircraft designers. Like its predecessor, the Swallow, the B.K.1 Eagle’s construction was wooden, with the control surfaces covered in fabric. The aircraft was a monoplane featuring a three-seater cockpit and manually retractable main landing gear.
In its basic version, the powerplant included a single de Havilland Gipsy Major inline engine with 130 hp. The prototype of the machine made its maiden flight with this engine in early 1934.
Design and Early Development
The ‘luxury’ modification of the aircraft, the Eagle 2, appeared after the company was renamed to ‘British Aircraft Manufacturing Co.’. This new model received a specially prepared engine, which allowed the aircraft to win several pre-war air races.
Notable Performance and Record Flights
However, high speed was not the only advantage of this machine, which also featured high reliability and a relatively long flight range. One aircraft completed a solo flight from Australia to New Zealand, across the Tasman Sea.
Another achieved a record-breaking flight across the South Atlantic, and a third was used by Katsutaro Ano for a flight along the route Hanworth (United Kingdom) – Tokyo (Japan).
Production and Wartime Service
In total, 42 aircraft were produced, of which five were B.K.1 and thirty-seven were B.A.2 Eagle 2. Of these, 17 machines were exported.
During World War II, at least seven of the aircraft remaining in Great Britain were mobilized for service in the Royal Air Force. Another two aircraft were mobilized for wartime service in India, and one each in Kenya and Malaya.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | BA.2 |
| Wingspan, m | 11.96 |
| Length, m | 7.92 |
| Height, m | 2.05 |
| Wing area, m2 | 18.58 |
| Empty weight | 658 kg |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1089 kg |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine de Havilland Gipsy Major |
| Power, hp | 1 x 130 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 238 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 210 |
| Practical range, km | 1046 |
| Rate of climb, m/min | 214 |
| Service ceiling, m | 4880 |
| Crew | 1 crew |
| Payload | 2 passengers |
Image and diagram gallery of the British Klemm B.K.1 Eagle Light Multi-Purpose Aircraft
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