KI-33

The Mitsubishi Ki-33 was a prototype Japanese low-wing fighter plane with a metal structure from the interwar period. The drive was provided by a single engine Nakajima Ha-1 Kotobuki with 745 hp. The flight of the prototype took place in August 1936 - the machine never entered mass production. The deck armament consisted of two 7.7 mm Type 89 machine guns. The Mitsubishi Ki-33 was created in connection with the competition announced by the Army Air Force Command for a new low-wing fighter, which was to replace the Kawasaki Ki-10 aircraft in the line. When competing in this competition, Mitsubishi decided to create a new machine by modernizing one of its previous designs: the Ki-18 fighter. Therefore, a new engine was used in the Ki-33, the shape of the nose of the plane and the vertical stabilizer were changed, as well as the cockpit cover, which, however, was still uncovered. Initially, the Mitsubishi Ki-33 outperformed its main competitor (the Nakajima Ki-27) in Army-led testing, but the Nakajima team of designers significantly modified its design, which ultimately resulted in the Mitsubishi Ki-33 failing and the Nakajima Ki-27 being brought into service . Only two prototypes of the Mitsubishi Ki-33 were built.