Nakajima Ki-11

The Nakajima Ki-11 (キ11 (航空機), Ki-jyuichi Kokūki) was an unsuccessful attempt by Nakajima Aircraft Company to meet a 1935 requirement issued by the Japanese government for a modern single-seat monoplane fighter suitable to meet the needs of both the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force and Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service

Ki-11
Role prototype fighter aircraft
Manufacturer Nakajima Aircraft Company
First flight 1934
Primary user IJA Air Force
Number built 4
Variants Nakajima Ki-27

Design and development

Development of the Ki-11 began as a private venture in 1934, based on a wire-braced low-wing monoplane, inspired by the Boeing P-26 Peashooter. The fuselage wing center section and undercarriage were constructed in duralumin, while the wings and tail were of wood and canvas. The aircraft was powered by a single 410 kW (550 hp) Nakajima Kotobuki Ha-1-3 radial engine. Proposed armament consisted of twin 7.7 mm (.303 in) machine guns firing from between the engine cylinders.[1]

The Ki-11 was entered into competition with the Kawasaki Ki-10 biplane design. Although technically more advanced and faster than the Kawasaki design, the Imperial Japanese Army command was split between supporters of "maneuverability" and supporters of "speed". The supporters of the "maneuverability" scheme won, and the Ki-10 became the main army fighter until 1937.[2] Nakajima continued to refine the Ki-11 design, and it re-emerged in the form of the Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate" several years later.[3]

Nakajima later sold the fourth prototype as AN-1 Communications Aircraft to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, who registered it as J-BBHA and used it as a liaison and courier plane, and for reconnaissance and news-gathering flights.[4]

Variants
  • Nakajima Ki-11
initial prototype (4 built); #4 with enclosed cockpit

Operators

Specifications (Ki-11)

Data from Famous Airplanes of the World, first series, #76: Army Experimental Fighters (1)[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 6.89 m (22 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.88 m (35 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 3.33 m (10 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 19.1 m2 (205.6 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,269 kg (2,798 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,560 kg (3,440 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Ha-1-3 Kotobuki air-cooled radial engine , 410 kW (550 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 420 km/h (262 mph, 228 kn)
  • Range: 410 km (250 mi, 220 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 10,200 m (33,500 ft)

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

  • P-26 Peashooter

References

Citations
  1. Wieliczko and Szeremeta 2004, pp. 9–10.
  2. Wieliczko and Szeremeta 2004, pp. 10–11.
  3. Mikesj and Abe 1990, p. 218.
  4. Mikesj and Abe 1990, p. 219.
  5. FAOW 1976, p. 2.

Bibliography
  • Francillon, Ph.D., René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  • Mikesh, Robert C.; Shorzoe Abe (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-563-2.
  • Unknown author. Famous Airplanes of the World, first series, #76: Army Experimental Fighters (1). Tokyo: Bunrin-Do, August 1976.
  • Unknown author. Famous Airplanes of the World, second series, #24: Army Experimental Fighters. Tokyo: Bunrin-Do, September 1990.
  • Wieliczko, Leszek A. and Zygmunt Szeremeta. Nakajima Ki 27 Nate (bilingual Polish/English). Lublin, Poland: Kagero, 2004. ISBN 83-89088-51-7.
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