What is "Ninak"?

Short answer

"Ninak" was the nickname of the Airco D.H.9A: it comes from reading the designation "nine-A" using the phonetic alphabet. Used affectionately, it named the aircraft, which entered service in June 1918. Developed from the D.H.9 with a major redesign of fuselage and wings, it was retired in 1931.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

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A nickname from the phonetic alphabet

"Ninak" was the colloquial name of the aircraft, born from applying the phonetic alphabet treatment to its designation, "nine-A". Under that name, used affectionately, the Airco D.H.9A was known; it entered service in June 1918.

From the D.H.9 to a redesigned airframe

The 9A was developed from the D.H.9, with a major redesign of the fuselage and wings. By the end of 1918 nearly 900 units had been produced. The detailed design was not carried out by Airco, then busy developing the twin-engine Airco DH.10 Amiens bomber, but by Westland Aircraft.

From the front to retirement in 1931

Among the surviving examples is one shot down during a bombing raid over Kaiserslautern, Germany, in October 1918. In March 1921, a conference of British military and civilian officials held in Cairo gave rise to the Cairo–Baghdad air route, an air mail service established by the Royal Air Force. The type was finally retired in 1931.