British Klemm B.K.1 Eagle Light Multi-Purpose Aircraft

2 min read

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.

Table of Contents

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

ArchivoAéreo Editorial Team

A group of aviation researchers and enthusiasts dedicated to documenting and preserving global aeronautical history. All articles are reviewed to ensure historical accuracy.

Sources & Accuracy

The information presented in this technical sheet has been compiled from declassified flight manuals, historical archives, and specialized literature. While we strive for maximum accuracy, some performance data may vary depending on the specific variant or operational conditions.

BK.1 Eagle	BK.1 Eagle
BK.1 Eagle	BK.1 Eagle
BK.1 Eagle	BK.1 Eagle
BK.1 Eagle	BK.1 Eagle
BK.1 Eagle