NAMC YS-11

The NAMC YS‑11 is a twin‑engine turboprop airliner developed in Japan during the early 1960s by the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (NAMC), a consortium of Japanese aerospace firms created to revive domestic aircraft production after World II. First flown on 19 August 1964 and certified in 1965, the YS‑11 entered service with Japan’s national carrier, Japan Air Lines, and later with many regional operators in Asia, the Pacific and Europe. Powered by two Rolls‑Royce Dart turboprop engines, the aircraft could carry 60 to 94 passengers depending on configuration, offered a range of roughly 2 000 km, and featured a high‑mounted wing with large trailing‑edge flaps that provided short‑take‑off and landing capability on modest runways. Its pressurized cabin, modern avionics suite and rugged construction made it ideal for regional routes, cargo conversion, and even maritime patrol variants. Over 600 YS‑11s were built before production ceased in 1974, marking the only successful post‑war Japanese transport aircraft and demonstrating Japan’s ability to design, manufacture and operate a competitive commercial airliner. The type remains a symbol of Japan’s aerospace resurgence and continues to be cherished by enthusiasts and museums worldwide.

Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation

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