YS-11A-600

The YS‑11A‑600 is the final and most capable variant of the YS‑11 family, a twin‑engine turboprop transport produced by Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (NAMC) in the 1960s and 1970s. Developed to replace older piston‑powered airliners and to meet Japan’s post‑war demand for a domestically built regional aircraft, the YS‑11 first flew in 1965 and entered service the following year. The A‑600 version, introduced in 1972, incorporated a strengthened airframe, improved pressurisation, and more powerful Rolls‑Royce Dart 535‑8 turboprop engines delivering 2,750 hp each. It also featured upgraded avionics, a larger cargo door, and seating for up to 60 passengers, allowing it to serve both passenger and freight roles on short‑haul routes across Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands. Its rugged undercarriage and excellent short‑field performance made it popular with regional airlines and the Japan Air Self‑Defense Force. Though production ceased in 1975 after 459 airframes, the YS‑11A‑600 remains a symbol of Japan’s early aerospace ambition, demonstrating the country’s ability to design, certify and mass‑produce a modern commercial aircraft. Its legacy endures in heritage fleets and in the lessons it provided for subsequent Japanese programs such as the Mitsubishi Regional Jet.