Kawanishi Aircraft Company
| Industry | Aircraft manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920 |
| Defunct | 1945 |
| Successor | Shin Meiwa Industries |
| Headquarters | , Japan |
The Kawanishi Aircraft Company was a Japanese aircraft manufacturer that operated during the period of World War II.
History
Established in 1920 as Kawanishi Engineering Works in Hyōgo Prefecture, the company originated from the Kawanishi conglomerate, which had previously invested in the Nakajima Aircraft Company. Its inaugural aircraft, the Kawanishi K-1 Mail-carrying Aircraft, was completed in 1921. Two years later, in 1923, Kawanishi founded an airline named Nippon Koku K.K., for which it designed various aircraft. The government compelled the closure of Nippon Koku in 1929, with its flight routes being absorbed by the state-run Nippon Koku Yuso K.K. In 1928, Kawanishi separated its engineering division to create Kawanishi Kokuki KK, which took control of all existing assets.
Best recognized for its seaplane designs such as the Kawanishi H6K and the H8K flying boats, Kawanishi also developed the esteemed land-based fighter N1K-J, which evolved from their floatplane fighter Kawanishi N1K. Following Japan’s defeat in World War II, the company was reconstituted as Shin Meiwa Industries, continuing its legacy by producing flying boats like the PS-1 and US-2.
Floatplanes
- E5K – A three-seat reconnaissance floatplane built by Kawanishi in 1931; a licensed version of the Yokosuka E5Y; total of 20 units produced
- E7K – Introduced in 1933, this three-seat reconnaissance floatplane saw production of 533 units
- E8K – A reconnaissance floatplane prototype developed in 1933; only one constructed before cancellation due to performance inferiority compared to Nakajima E4N2
- E10K – A night reconnaissance and transport flying boat created in 1934; just one built before being discontinued in favor of the Aichi E10A
- E11K – Developed in 1937 as a night reconnaissance flying boat; two units built before cancellation for replacement by Aichi E11A
- E12K – A proposed two-seat reconnaissance floatplane project from 1937
- E13K – A three-seat reconnaissance floatplane introduced in 1938; two built before project cancellation favoring Aichi E13A
- E15K Shiun – A reconnaissance floatplane produced starting in 1941; total production reached 15 units
Bombers
- G9K Gunzan – A conceptual land-based heavy bomber derived from the H8K flying boat; remained a design proposal with the designation "G9K Gunzan" assigned post-war
- K-100 – A planned twin-engine land bomber project that did not advance to production
- TB – A four-engine heavy bomber project that remained on paper
Flying boats
- H3K – Patrol and training flying boat developed in 1930; five units manufactured
- H6K – Introduced in 1936 as a patrol flying boat evolved from the H3K; production totaled 215 units
- H8K – Patrol flying boat launched in 1941; production reached 167 units
- H11K Soukū – Transport flying boat project that only reached mockup stage
- K-60 – Proposed long-range flying boat with an estimated weight of 80 tons
- K-200 – Planned turbojet-powered long-range flying boat design that was never constructed
- KX-3 – Ambitious project for a massive 500-ton flying boat powered by twelve engines
Fighter Aircraft
- K-11 - 1927 fighter designed for aircraft carriers
- A8K - 1945 planned carrier fighter derived from the J6K
- J3K - 1942 interceptor fighter project, never constructed
- J6K Jinpū - 1943 interceptor fighter based on J3K; only a mockup was made
- N1K Kyōfū - 1942 floatplane fighter model
- N1K1-J/N1K2-J Shiden/Shiden Kai - 1942 land-based fighter adaptation of the N1K
Trainer Aircraft
- K6K - 1938 floatplane trainer prototype; two units produced
- K8K - 1938 floatplane trainer with a production run of fifteen
Transport Aircraft
- H6K2-L/H6K4-L - unarmed transport variants converted from H6K models
- H8K1-L/H8K2-L/H8K4-L Seikū - transport adaptations of the H8K; the H8K4-L remained unbuilt as all H8K4s were lost in 1945
- H11K1-L - proposed transport version of the H11K
Suicide Attack Aircraft
- Baika - conceptual kamikaze aircraft inspired by the Fieseler Fi 103R; never constructed
Civilian Aircraft
- K-1 - 1920 mail delivery airplane
- K-2 - 1921 single-seat racing aircraft
- K-3 - 1921 versatile transport adapted from the K-1
- K-5 - 1922 floatplane designed for mail service
- K-6 - 1923 three-passenger biplane airliner
- K-7A Transport Seaplane - 1925 six-passenger biplane floatplane airliner
- K-7B Mail-carrying Aircraft - mail plane variant of the K-7A model
- K-8 Transport Seaplane - 1926 floatplane designed for mail transport
- K-9 - cargo aircraft concept
- k-10 Transport - 1926 mail plane and six-passenger airliner
- k-12 Sakura - 1928 experimental aircraft aimed at long-distance record attempts