Flown for the first time in the Spring of 1958, the K-17 is the product of U.S. Army and Kaman cooperation.  The helicopter is a cold tip jet system; the engine sends compressed air to the tip-jet nozzles.  The main rotor is flap controlled and the ducted tail rotor is controlled by hydraulic power, allowing change in direction.

Source: Alex, Ralph P. "Helicopters from 'A to Z', Part III". American Helicopter Society Newsletter, Vol. 7, 1961. Page 5.

Overview

Data on design, manufacture and status

Design authority: Kaman Aircraft Corporation

Primary manufacturer: Kaman Aircraft Corporation

Parent type: No type defined

Aircraft status: No longer flying

Configuration

Primary flight and mechanical characteristics

VTOL type: Helicopter

Lift devices: 1 Single main rotor

Dedicated control device: 1 Fenestron/Shrouded tail rotor

Crew required: 2 in Side-by-side arrangement

Landing gear: Skids

Key Characteristics

Data on key physical features

Aircraft Details

Data on aircraft configuration, weights, flight performance and equipment

References

References and sources used

Helicopters & Autogyros of the World
Paul Lambermont, Anthony Pirie
Cassell & Company Ltd., 1959 (page 319)
Book

S-47 | S-47/R-4 Helicopter
Vinny Devine
Sikorsky Archives | Product History, Sep 19, 2017 (page 5)
Website
Very thorugh description and details of the R-4 series helicopter

Related VFS Resources

Resources related to the K-17 , provided by the Vertical Flight Society.
Forum Proceedings
 
Vertiflite articles
Enter a search term in the box above.
Web files from vtol.org
Enter a search term in the box above.
Webpages from vtol.org
Enter a search term in the box above.
Images from the VFS Gallery
Enter a search term in the box above.

Related Public Resources

Resources related to the K-17 , provided by public sources across the internet.

Images