Mahindra V5K

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Mahindra V5K
Mahindra V5K v2.png
Role Carrier-based fighter
National origin Tennai
Manufacturer Mahindra Heavy Industries
Designer Duwaraga Tanika
First flight February 1934
Introduction January 1935
Retired 1945
Status Retired
Primary user Royal Tennaiite Navy
Produced 1935-1942
Number built 517

The Mahindra V5K, was a Tennaiite carrier-based fighter aircraft. It was the world's first low-wing monoplane shipboard fighter to enter service and the predecessor to the famous Akula V6K "Pujyam". It entered service shortly after the start of the Siduri War in January of 1935 and was quickly deployed to the Tennaiite carriers RK Tipparavai and RK Karutan.

Design and Development

Operational History

The V5K fist saw service in the Siduri War and served as the main naval fighter until the introduction of the Mahindra V6K in 1937. It served in all theatres that the Royal Tennaiite Navy fought and proved itself a reliable and adaptable aircraft.

Variants

Co-20
Six prototypes with various engines and design modifications
V5KM1
Navy carrier-based fighter: first production model
V5KM2/2a
More powerful engine
V5kM3a
Prototypes using Devati V-12 inline engine
V5KM4
The V5KM2 with a different engine and armament changed to six 12.7 mm machine guns.
V5KM4-P
Two-seat trainer version of V5KM4

Operators

Tennai
  • Number

Specifications (Mahindra V5KM1)

Mahindra V5K Blueprint.jpg

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 9.75 m (32 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 11.63 m (38 ft 2 in)
  • Height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 21 m2 (230 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,901 kg (4,191 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,449 kg (5,399 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Akula E-5 9-cylinder air cooled radial engine, 660 kW (890 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed metal constant-speed propellers, 3 m (9 ft 10 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 509 km/h (316 mph; 275 kn) at 7,000 m (22,966 ft)
  • Range: 1,400 km (870 mi; 756 nmi)
  • Combat range: 700 km (435 mi; 378 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 2,300 km (1,429 mi; 1,242 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 9,900 m (32,500 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,843 ft) in 3 minutes 35 seconds

Armament

  • Guns:
  • Bombs:

2 x 30 kg (66 lb) bombs or 1 x 160-litre (42.27 US gallon drop tank)