Photograph:
Hindustan HAOP-27 at the Indian Air Force Museum in New Delhi (Author’s collection)
Country of origin:
India
Description:
Two/three-seat air-observation post and light utility aircraft
Power Plant:
One 168 kw (225 hp) Continental O-470-J six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 11.43 m (37 ft 6 in)
- Length: 8.41 m (27 ft 7 in)
- Height: 2.36 m (7 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 18.58 m² (200 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 209 km/h (130 mph)
- Max speed at 1,525 m (5,000 ft): 187 km/h (116 mph)
- Initial rate of climb at sea level: 274 m/min (900 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 5,945 m (19,500 ft)
- Range with auxiliary fuel: 805 km (500 miles)
- Empty weight: 894 kg (1,970 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,270 kg (2,800 lb)
History:
The Krishak was manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd of Bangalore, India as the HAOP-27 air-observation post and liaison monoplane for the Indian Air Force to replace the Auster AOP-9. It was a larger and more powerful variant of the Pushpak, which had a 67 kw (90 hp) Continental engine, being of three/four-seat configuration, and being a high-wing monoplane. It was adaptable for agricultural spraying and dusting, and in the ambulance role carried three seated casualties, or one stretcher patient. Dual controls were fitted. A civil variant was proposed but records have indicated none was produced.
The prototype of the Krishak series (serial BR-459) was first flown in November 1959, being fitted with a 142 kw (190 hp) Continental engine. Subsequently, in 1965, when the type was ordered by the Indian Air Force and Indian Army as the Mk II, it was fitted with the Continental O-470-J engine, the prototype of the Mk II flying in 1965.
A total of 68 production Mk IIs was built and they remained in service until the mid 1970s when they were replaced by the licence-built Aerospatiale SA 315B Lama helicopter. In later years, after retirement, a few became available to warbird enthusiasts. Construction was of welded steel tube with fabric covering.
In 1995 the Croydon Aircraft Company, known for restoring antique aircraft on the southern island of New Zealand, announced it was importing two Krishak Mk IIs. One arrived late in that year and, pending restoration, was placed in storage. As far as is known no further work on restoration has taken place.