Kyushu Hikoki

The Kyūshū Hikōki K.K. (九州飛行機, Kyūshū Aircraft Company Ltd) was a Japanese manufacturer of military aircraft during World War II. While it mainly manufactured other firms' designs, it was notable for the radical J7W "Shinden" fighter. Named after Kyushu island where the company was based.

The company originated from Fukuoka-based Watanabe Tekkōjo (Watanabe Steel Foundry), which started building aircraft in 1935. In 1943 the aircraft division was spun off as Kyūshū Hikōki, while the original company was renamed Kyūshū Heiki (Kyūshū Armaments).

After the war, the company was renamed Watanabe Jidōsha Kōgyō (Watanabe Automobile Industries) and manufactured automobile bodies and parts. It was dissolved in 2001.

Products

Watanabe E9W submarine-based reconnaissance floatplane
Kyūshū K10W intermediate trainer
Kyūshū K11W crew trainer
Kyūshū Q1W Tokai anti-submarine patrol aircraft
Kyūshū J7W Shinden pusher fighter
Kyūshū K6W WS-103 seaplane for Royal Siamese Navy

Aircraft produced by Watanabe and Kyushu

Watanabe Ironworks	E9W K6W Siam Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane E8W

Kyushu Aircraft Company	K9W K10W K11W J7W Q1W

Allied reporting names	Lorna Cypress Oak Slim

Japanese Names	Momiji (カエデ "Maple") Shiragiku (白菊, "White Chrysanthemum") Shinden (震電, "Magnificent Lightning") Tokai (東海 "Eastern Sea")

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