YS-11P

The YS‑11P is a Japanese turboprop airliner developed in the early 1960s by Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (NAMC), a consortium created to revive domestic aircraft production after World War II. First flown on 19 August 1965, the YS‑11 entered service with Japan Airlines and numerous regional carriers, becoming the only post‑war commercial jetliner built entirely in Japan. The “P” designation refers to the passenger version, which seated between 60 and 64 passengers in a single‑aisle cabin equipped with large windows and a relatively spacious layout for its class. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A‑27 turboprop engines, the aircraft offered reliable performance, a cruising speed of about 470 km/h, and a range of roughly 2,000 km, making it ideal for short‑haul domestic routes and remote island operations. Its robust airframe, simple systems, and low operating costs earned a reputation for durability, especially in harsh weather conditions common in Japan’s archipelago. The YS‑11P’s success demonstrated Japan’s capability to design and produce modern transport aircraft, paving the way for later projects such as the Mitsubishi Regional Jet and influencing regional aviation standards worldwide.