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Nakajima PE (中島 PE)
The Nakajima PE (Pursuit Experimental) is a Japanese prototype fighter. This plane was a pre-prototype of the Ki-27 fighter. Only one prototype was built in 1936.
History
In 1935, the Japanese Army General Staff noticed that more and more modern single-seat fast fighters were being introduced around the world. At that time, the Japanese Army was using outdated Nakajima Type 91 and Kawasaki Type 92 fighters, as well as newer but still conceptually outdated Kawasaki Ki-10s. So, in April 1936, design requirements for a new modern fighter for the Army were sent to Mitsubishi, Kawasaki, and Nakajima. The Army expected to receive two prototypes from each manufacturer. All the companies developed aircraft according to the Army’s requirements, which were the Mitsubishi Ki-33, Kawasaki Ki-28, and Nakajima Ki-12. However, at Nakajima, they felt that one modern aircraft wouldn’t be enough and that a backup option was needed (in a previous competition, the more advanced Nakajima Ki-11 lost out to the Kawasaki Ki-10). It was decided that first, an aircraft would be built for in-house tests, and only based on it would an aircraft be delivered to the Army. The plane designated as Nakajima PE was designed by engineers Yasushi Kagama and Minoru Ota under the leadership of Hideo Itokawa. The new aircraft used solutions from the Nakajima Ki-12, but they abandoned the retractable landing gear in favor of a reliable and simpler fixed landing gear. The plane was designed with an open cockpit and a long cockpit canopy. The Nakajima PE was powered by a Nakajima Ha-1 Ko radial engine with 650/710 horsepower. The Nakajima PE fighter was ready in July 1936 and underwent advanced testing at the Nakajima factory, and based on the data, a prototype Nakajima Ki-27 was developed, which won the army’s new fighter competition in 1937.
Photos of the Nakajima PE
Construction description
The Nakajima PE airplane was a low-wing monoplane with a full metal structure. The plane was equipped with fixed landing gear. The wings were 10.40 meters long with an area of 16.40 m² and had ailerons and flaps. The ailerons and rudders were covered with fabric. The Nakajima PE was powered by a Nakajima Ha-1 Ko radial engine with 650/710 horsepower. The plane’s armament consisted of two Type 89 7.7mm machine guns in the nose. Each machine gun had a supply of 500 rounds.
Technical sketches
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7,44 m
- Wingspan: 10,40 m
- Height: 3,335 m
- Wing area: 16,40 m2
- Empty weight: 1074 kg
- Gross weight: 1 360 kg
- Powerplant: 1 x Nakajima Ha-1a Ko, an air-cooled radial engine, nine-cylinder with a takeoff power of 522 kW (710 hp)
- Propellers: Two-bladed metal propeller with adjustable angle of attack with a diameter of 2,900 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 475 km/h
- Cruising speed: 350 km/h (?)
- Range: ?
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: ?
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: ?
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 89 7.7mm machine gun in the nose (500 rounds per guns)
Summary
The Nakajima PE is an interesting plane for Japan in War Thunder. This fighter could serve as an introduction to the Nakajima Ki-27 fighter family. The Nakajima PE is perfect as a premium plane or for events because of its interesting history. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
九七式戦闘機 - Wikipedia
Nakajima Ki-27 - Wikipedia
Warplanes of Japan: Nakajima Ki-27 - SilverHawkAuthor Website Military History Materials
Nakajima Ki-27 experimental versions | Secret Projects Forum
Nakajima PE : Nakajima
Уголок неба ¦ Nakajima Ki.27
Book sources
- 日本航空機辞典 1910年(明治43年)～1945年(昭和20年) 上巻 (Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1910 (Meiji 43) – 1945 (Showa 20), Volume 1) page 80-81
- 野沢正『日本航空機総集 中島篇』(Masaru Nozawa ‘Comprehensive Collection of Japanese Aircraft: Nakajima Volume’) page 86-94
- Monografie Nr.11 - Nakajima Ki-27 Nate (Monographs No.11 - Nakajima Ki-27 Nate)
Monografie Nr.11 - Nakajima Ki-27 Nate | PDF
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