Brock KB-2

Brock KB-2 Freedom Machine

Ken Brock at Oshkosh 2001
Role	Autogyro Type of aircraft
National origin	United States of America
Manufacturer	Ken Brock Manufacturing
Designer	Ken Brock
First flight	1970
Developed from	Brock KB-1 Gyroplane

The KB-2 Freedom Machine is an autogyro designed by Ken Brock based on the designs of the Bensen B-8.^[1]^[2]

Design and development

Ken Brock was an early innovator in homebuilt gyrocopters starting with his first ride in 1957.^[3] Brock set to work on building and marketing a series of homebuilt gyroplanes with the KB-1 and later the KB-2.^[4]

Operational history

Ken Brock used his KB-2 design for years in airshow acts and completed several world records. In 1971 he completed the first coast-to-coast autogyro flight from Long Beach, California to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.^[5]

Variants

KB-2: Powered variant
KB-2G: Variant with the same frame and rotor head as a KB-2. The "glider" is a two-seat gyroplane designed to be towed by car. The aircraft with the same frame and rotor assembly can be converted to a powered gyroplane.^[6]

Aircraft on display

A 1970 demonstrator KB-2 is in the EAA Airventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Specifications (KB-2)

Data from EAA

General characteristics

Capacity: 1
Empty weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
Gross weight: 600 lb (272 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × McCulloch 4318 , 90 hp (67 kW)
Main rotor diameter: 2 × 12 ft (3.7 m)

Performance

Cruise speed: 61 kn (70 mph, 110 km/h)
Range: 520 nmi (600 mi, 970 km)
Rate of climb: 1,900 ft/min (9.7 m/s)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brock KB-2.

^ "Brock KB-2 Gyroplane". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
^ Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 57. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
^ Henry Doering (1980). Book of buffs, masters, mavens, and uncommon experts.
^ "Good Gyrations". Popular Science. November 1998.
^ Popular Mechanics. Nov 1971. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
^ Popular Science. February 1982. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)