Mitsubishi 1MF

The Mitsubishi 1MF, officially designated the Navy Type 10 Carrier Fighter, was Japan’s first indigenous carrier‑based fighter and entered service in 1925. Developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under the direction of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the aircraft embodied the nation’s early efforts to create a modern naval air arm after World War I. Its design featured a single‑bay biplane layout with wooden wings and a fabric‑covered fuselage, powered by a 450 hp Hispano‑Suiza 12V V‑12 engine that drove a two‑bladed wooden propeller. The 1MF’s armament comprised two synchronized 7.7 mm machine guns mounted on the upper fuselage, providing effective firepower for the era. With a maximum speed of roughly 200 km/h (124 mph) and a service ceiling of 7,000 m, the fighter could operate from the limited decks of early Japanese carriers such as Hōshō. Although soon outclassed by newer monoplane designs, the 1MF proved reliable in both squadron training and operational patrols, helping to establish carrier‑based tactics and pilot proficiency. Its successful deployment marked a turning point for Japanese aviation, demonstrating the feasibility of domestically produced naval fighters and laying the groundwork for the advanced aircraft that would dominate the Pacific theater in the ensuing decade.

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