EXPERIMENTAL KI-11 FIGHTER (AN1)

The Nakajima Ki-11 was a Japanese low-wing prototype fighter in the interwar period with a mixed design. The drive was provided by a single engine Nakajima Ha-1-3 Kotobuki 550 hp. The prototype flight took place in May 1934 - the machine never entered mass production. The deck armament consisted of two 7.7 mm Type 89 machine guns. The Ki-11 was created as a grassroots and proprietary initiative of the Nakajima aviation company, which was inspired by the launch of the Boeing P-26 Peashooter into service in the USA. After the flight and the first tests, the Ki-11 was proposed primarily to the Japanese Air Force, competing for a contract with the Kawasaki Ki-10 aircraft. Despite the fact that the Ki-11 had a higher maximum speed and was a much more modern machine - it lost the competition with the construction of Kawasaki plants. However, the Nakajima company developed the project on its own, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the Ki-27 fighter. Only four prototype units were built.