YS-11A-100

The YS‑11A‑100 is the most advanced variant of the YS‑11 series, a twin‑engine turboprop airliner produced by Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (NAMC) in the early 1960s. Development began in 1958 as Japan’s first post‑war indigenous transport aircraft, aiming to replace the aging DC‑3s that dominated domestic routes. The prototype rolled out in 1960 and achieved its maiden flight on 30 August 1962, quickly earning certification from both Japanese and Western authorities. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT3D‑7 turboprops, the YS‑11A‑100 delivers 2 500 shp each, granting a cruising speed of 470 km/h and a range of roughly 2 200 km with a typical payload of 30‑35 passengers. Its all‑metal, semi‑monocoque airframe features a high‑wing layout, retractable tricycle landing gear, and a pressurised cabin equipped with modern avionics, air‑conditioning and noise‑reduction insulation—significant upgrades over earlier models. The aircraft proved vital for regional airlines, establishing reliable short‑haul services across Japan’s islands and throughout Southeast Asia. As the flagship of Japan’s nascent aerospace industry, the YS‑11A‑100 demonstrated domestic design and production capability, laying groundwork for later projects such as the Mitsubishi Regional Jet.