Fighter aircraft comparison chart (1929-1931)
 

I made a comparison chart of fighter aircraft that had their maiden flights between 1929-1931:

Aircraft type Country First flight Max. Engine Power (HP) Top Ground Speed (km/h) Top Speed at 4000-5000 m (km/h) Total weight
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I.A.R. CV-11 Rumania 16.12.1930 600 315 312 1510
Blériot-Spad 91-7 France 23.12.1931 500 295 320 1458
Polikarpov I-5 USSR 20.04.1930 480 278 1355
Polikarpov I-6 USSR 30.03.1930 420 280 1280
Arado Ar 64 Germany Spring 1930 530 250 1670
Heinkel HD 43 Germany Spring 1929 750 322 1630
Curtiss P-6E USA 2.12.1931 600 311 290 1558
Bristol Bulldog III UK 17.09.1931 560 335 1814
Hawker F.20/27 UK 05.1930 520 325 1429
Hawker Fury I UK 03.1929 480 333 1583
Hawker Nimrod I UK 14.10.1931 477 315 1841
Dewoitine D.27 III France 04.1929 500 298 280 1415
Fokker D.XVI Netherlands 07.1929 460 330 1400

[Most of the data taken from William Green and Gordon Swanborough, The Complete Book of Fighters, Smithmark, New York, USA, 1994]

Questions:
1, did I miss any important aircraft type (including prototypes)?
2, what I noticed is that only the Rumanian prototype was low-wing monoplane. Were there any other(s) I missed?
3, I ranked top speed as the most important characteristic of a fighter (at that time). Is this assumption correct?

Thanks for your inputs.

Re: Fighter aircraft comparison chart (1929-1931)
 

Another important type was the Grumman XFF-1, first flown on 29 December 1931. Does your Green and Swanborough book have the figures for this?

Re: Fighter aircraft comparison chart (1929-1931)
 

Yes, it does (XFF-1, or G-5), but it was a two-seater fighter, so it doesn't qualify. Top speed was (an amazing) 333 km/h!

Re: Fighter aircraft comparison chart (1929-1931)
 

Good work Dénes. As well as speed, initial climb rate would be important, I think (if the figures are given). I'm guessing that all these machines had similar fire power (two machine guns?).

Re: Fighter aircraft comparison chart (1929-1931)
 

I added a few more types to the master list.

Re: Fighter aircraft comparison chart (1929-1931)
 

Dénes

Since you mention important in this context, I am not sure these Swedish types qualify...:)
Svenska Aero SA-11 Jaktfalken I (J 5)
Svenska Aero SA-14 Jaktfalken II (J 6)

They were important enough, however, in Sweden so in my book they should qualify

Also a bit odd, no Japanese aircraft is in your list. I have not checked, but since you only have a three year gap to qualify, perhaps they didn't come up with anything during those years?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Fighter aircraft comparison chart (1929-1931)
 

The Armstrong-Whitworth AW-XVI was a prototype that suits your 1929-31 timeline. A number would see service with one or two of the Chinese Regional Air Forces in the mid-1930s.

I've attached a pdf page from the Flight-Global website on the AW-16.

The Boeing 218 was in prototype form as a demonstrator in Shanghai during January 1932. It would be used by American test-pilot Robert Short in a vain defence against Japanese Naval aircraft. The prototype, at first flight, would fit your 1929-31 timeline, I think.


Regards,
...geoff