Nakajima's design for a parasol-wing fighter, along with those of other companies competing for the Army's requirement for a new fighter, met with early uncertainties. Eventually, Nakajima's design was further developed and became the successful Army Type 91 Fighter, but in the interim, Nakajima, in 1930, bought the licence-manufacturing rights for the Bristol Bulldog. This aircraft was thought by Nakajima to be an ideal replacement for the ageing Type Ko 4 Fighters. Like the earlier N-35 Reconnaissance Aircraft, this project was supervised by the same French team headed by Andre Marie, assisted by Maxime Robin and others. Because this was a British-designed aircraft, Leslie G. Frise of the Bristol Aeroplane Co and his assistant H.W. Dunn were invited to Japan to assist. The first prototype was completed in June 1930, followed soon after by the second prototype. The design was based upon the Bristol Bulldog Mk. II, but differed by having each engine cylinder covered by separate fairings, the interplane struts were changed to the N type as used on the Bristol Bullpup, and struts were used to brace the tailplane. The Nakajima Jupiter engine was substituted for the Bristol-built Jupiter. After two prototypes were built, some of the parts were found to have insufficient strength for safe flight, therefore Nakajima Chikuhei grounded them. As a consequence, they were never submitted to the Army for evaluation; however, Nakajima's design for the parasol-wing Type 91 Fighter had by now achieved success. The two Bulldogs were eventually donated to the Navy, at the outbreak of the Shanghai Incident, for structural research purposes.
General characteristics
Single-engine single-seat fighter biplane. Metal structure with fabric covering.
Crew: Pilot in open cockpit.
Length: 7.54m (24ft 9in)
Span: 10.36m (34ft)
Height: 2.99m (9ft 91/2in)
Wing area: 28.5sq m (306.781sq ft)
Wing loading 56.1kg/sq m (11.51b/sq ft)
Power loading 3.55kg/hp (7.81b/hp)
Empty weight: 1,000kg (2,2041b)
Gross weight: 1,600kg (3,5271b)
Powerplant: 450-520hp Nakajima Jupiter VII nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, driving a two-bladed wooden propeller.
Performance
Maximum speed: 148kt (170.3mph) at 3,000m (9,843ft)
Climb to 5,000m (16,404ft) in 11 min
Service ceiling: 7,650m (25,098ft)
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