In April 1932, the Imperial Japanese Navy issued a specification for a replacement for its current carrier-based fighter, the Nakajima A2N, asking for designs from both Mitsubishi and Nakajima. Unlike the biplane which was to be replaced, both competitors submitted monoplanes, with Nakajima offering a version of its Type 91 parasol-wing fighter, already in production for the Japanese Army. Mitsubishi assigned design of its contestant to a team led by Jiro Horikoshi, which created the first low-wing cantilever monoplane to be designed in Japan, the Mitsubishi 1MF10.[1] [2]
The 1MF10 was of all-metal construction, with a monocoque duralumin fuselage, with duralumin wing structure covered in fabric, with the pilot accommodated in an open cockpit. The aircraft was powered by a Mitsubishi A4 two-row 14-cylinder radial engine driving a two-bladed propeller. It had a fixed tailwheel undercarriage.[1] [2]
The first prototype 1MF10, with the Navy designation Experimental 7-shi Carrier Fighter made its maiden flight in March 1933.[1] It was destroyed in July 1933 when its tail broke up during diving tests, although the pilot escaped by parachute. The second prototype had a revised undercarriage, with the main wheels and undercarriage legs faired into streamlined spats. It was also destroyed in a crash, when it could not be recovered from a flat spin in June 1934 by pilot Motoharu Okamura.[1] [2]
Although the design was advanced, it was rejected by the Japanese Navy, having poor handling[1] and not meeting the performance requirements of the specification.[2] It did form the basis of more advanced designs, however, with Horikoshi using elements of it such as the box-spar in the later successful Mitsubishi A5M fighter of similar layout.[3]
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