Nakajima Army Type 91 Fighter
Nakajima · Japan · first flew 1931 · fighter
The Nakajima Army Type 91 Fighter was an Imperial Japanese Army Air Service fighter biplane of the early 1930s, developed to replace older designs and modernise the IJAAS fighter force.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.27 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Early 1930s Japanese parasol-wing biplane fighter
- Radial engine with exposed cylinders
- Open cockpit and fixed undercarriage with wheel fairings
Parasol-wing layout with a prominent radial engine and open cockpit; fixed undercarriage with streamlined spats. Identified as Japanese by the distinctive IJAAS roundels and era-appropriate construction.
Specifications
- The Nakajima Army Type 91 Fighter has a length of 7.27 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 300 km/h (186 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1931, the Type 91 entered service with the Imperial Japanese Army and saw combat during the early stages of Japanese operations in China and Manchuria. It represented an interim step between older biplanes and the monoplane fighters that followed.
Variants
Two main versions were produced: Type 91 Model 1 and Model 2, differing in engine and minor structural details.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service in the early-to-mid 1930s, seeing action in Manchuria and China.
Related aircraft
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