The Nakajima Hikoki company began producing the Nakajima Ki-27 fighter for the Japanese Air Force in 1936. It had a maximum speed of 292 mph (470 km) and had a range of 1,060 miles (1,710 km). It was 24 ft 8 in (7.53 m) long with a wingspan of 37 ft I in (11.31 m). The aircraft was armed with a two machine-guns and could carry 220 lb (100 kg) of bombs.

The Nakajima Ki-27 was used in the Philippines, Burma and Malaya. However, during the later stages of the Second World War it was replaced by more modern aircraft and in 1945 was used to carry out kamikaze attacks on Allied shipping.