Experimental 8-Shi Carrier Two-seat Fighter (NAF-2)
History:
The Experimental 8-Shi Carrier Two-seat Fighter, also known as the NAF-2 within Nakajima, was developed as a successor to the earlier 6-Shi Two-seat Fighter (NAF-1). The Japanese Navy, exploring the two-seat fighter concept, initiated a competition in 1933, inviting both Mitsubishi and Nakajima to participate. Although the NAF-1 project had been partially evaluated, its testing was incomplete due to damage sustained by the aircraft. This left the potential of the two-seat fighter concept largely unexplored.
Kiyoshi Akegawa, a key engineer and designer at Nakajima, took on the challenge of refining the concept with a completely new design. The 8-Shi was developed to address the shortcomings of its predecessor while incorporating lessons learned. Two prototypes were built, the first in March 1934 and the second a few months later. These aircraft featured significant design improvements, including a switch from the M-6 to the USA-27 aerofoil and a swept-back upper wing.
Interestingly, the two prototypes differed slightly; one had conventional interplane struts, while the other featured I-shaped interplane struts, demonstrating Nakajima’s exploration of different structural approaches. Both aircraft were powered by the Nakajima Kotobuki 2 engine.
During the Navy’s evaluation, the competing Mitsubishi prototype disintegrated in flight, leading to the tragic death of the rear seat observer, though the pilot managed to parachute to safety. This incident influenced the Navy’s decision to discontinue the development competition and refrain from establishing a dedicated category for two-seat fighters.
As a result, the two Nakajima prototypes were eventually released to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, where they were used as communication aircraft. The variant with the I-shaped interplane struts was registered under the designation J-BAAC.
More Pictures:
Statistics:
- Type: Single-engine two-seat carrier fighter biplane
- Construction: Metal frame structure with fabric covering
- Crew: 2 (in open cockpits)
- Engine: 460-580hp Nakajima Kotobuki 2, nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine driving a Nakajima-Hamilton Standard fixed-pitch two-bladed metal propeller
- Armament:
- Two forward-firing fixed 7.7mm machine guns
- One dorsal flexible 7.7mm machine gun
- Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 10.3 m (33 ft 9⅝ in)
- Length: 7.26 m (23 ft 9⅝ in)
- Height: 2.85 m (9 ft 4½ in)
- Wing area: 26.35 sq m (283.638 sq ft)
- Weights:
- Empty weight: 1,233 kg (2,718 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,710 kg (3,770 lb)
- Performance:
- Maximum speed: 162 kt (186.4 mph) at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
- Cruising speed: 100 kt (115 mph) at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
- Climb to 3,000 m (9,843 ft): 9 minutes 40 seconds
- Service ceiling: 6,250 m (20,505 ft)
- Range: 459 nm (528 sm)
- Endurance: 4.6 hours
- Number Built: 2 (beginning in March 1934)
- Note: The weights and performance statistics provided are for the aircraft’s civil conversion.
Stats picture:
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