VAN A. SWINDELLE COLLECTION
No. 7835. Nakajima NC Type 91 ("29") Japanese Army Air Force
Aeroplane Photo Supply (APS) Photo No. 2821 via Michael Brannin & Craig Simpson

Nakajima NC Type 91

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05/31/2008. Nakajima proposed the NC to a 1927 JAAF requirement for a new single-seat fighter. It was designed by Shigejiro Owada and Yasushi Koyama, under supervision of André Marie and Maxime Robin, two engineers seconded from the French Dewoitine company. Two prototypes were completed by June 1928, but the type was rejected by the JAAF.

As a private venture, Nakajima built another five prototypes between 1929 and 1931. The last two had little resemblance with the previous ones, featuring a new wing, new tail surfaces, and many other structural changes. The 450 hp Bristol Jupiter VI nine-cylinder radial was replaced by a supercharged 520 hp Jupiter VII. The aircraft went into production as the JAAF Type 91 in 1931, 320 were built by Nakajima and 100 by Ishikawajima.

The Type 91 was redesignated Type 91-1 when in July 1934 a 580 hp powered version appeared, the Type 91-2 fitted with a Nakajima Kotobuki 2 radial. Including the prototype, 23 were build before production ceased in September 1934. The Type 91 was withdrawn from use in 1937.

Created May 31, 2008