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Nakajima Aircraft Company

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Nakajima Aircraft Company
Founded1918
FounderChikuhei Nakajima
Defunct1945
SuccessorFuji Heavy Industries (Subaru Corporation)
Headquarters
Tokyo
,
Japan

The Nakajima Aircraft Company was a prominent Japanese producer of aircraft and aviation engines during World War II. This enterprise eventually transformed into the automotive and aerospace manufacturer known today as Subaru.

History

Established in 1918 by naval engineer Chikuhei Nakajima alongside textile entrepreneur Seibei Kawanishi under the original name , it holds the distinction of being Japan's pioneering aircraft manufacturer. After the founders parted ways in 1919, Nakajima took control of the factory with backing from the Imperial Japanese Army, renaming it Nakajima Aircraft Company.

Primary production sites included:

  • Tokyo facility
  • Musashino facility
  • Donryu facility
  • Ota facility, located near Ōta Station, which Emperor Shōwa visited in 1934; this site suffered damage from American air raids in 1945 and currently serves as a Subaru Corporation kei truck manufacturing plant.
  • Koizumi facility, close to Nishi-Koizumi station, also targeted in 1945 bombings, now operated by Sanyo.

After World War II

In the aftermath of Japan’s surrender, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers prohibited aircraft manufacturing, compelling Nakajima to halt its operations. Unlike rival firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nakajima had not expanded beyond aviation and consequently fragmented into several spin-offs led by former managers and engineers. These professionals played a crucial role in revitalizing Japan’s automotive sector after the war.

The company reestablished itself in 1953 as Fuji Heavy Industries, initiating production of Fuji Rabbit scooters and Subaru cars. Fuji Precision Industries—later known as Prince Motor Company—also emerged from Nakajima’s heritage, producing vehicles such as the Prince Skyline before merging with Nissan in 1966. Fuji resumed aircraft manufacturing during the mid-1950s, supplying trainers and helicopters for the Japan Self-Defense Forces. In 2017, Fuji Heavy Industries adopted the Subaru Corporation name.

Fighter

  • A1N – 1927 carrier-based fighter; produced under license from Gloster Gambet
  • A2N – 1930 carrier biplane fighter
  • A4N – 1935 carrier fighter
  • A6M2-N – 'Rufe' 1941 floatplane variant derived from the Mitsubishi A6M Zero
  • J1N – 'Irving' 1941 Navy land-based night fighter
  • J5N – 1944 Navy land-based twin-engine interceptor prototype
  • Kikka – 1945 jet interceptor prototype; recognized as Japan's first jet-powered aircraft

Trainer

  • A3N – 1936 two-seat trainer model based on the A2N

Torpedo bomber

  • B3N – 1933 Navy torpedo bomber prototype; contract awarded to Yokosuka B3Y instead
  • B4N – 1936 Navy torpedo bomber prototype; contract lost to Yokosuka B4Y
  • B5N – 'Kate' 1937 Navy torpedo bomber
  • B6N – 'Jill' 1941 Navy torpedo bomber

Scout and Reconnaissance Aircraft

  • C2N - land-based reconnaissance plane derived from the Nakajima Ki-6
  • C3N - carrier reconnaissance aircraft introduced in 1936
  • C6N - 'Myrt' carrier reconnaissance aircraft from 1943
  • E2N - reconnaissance aircraft dating back to 1927
  • E4N - reconnaissance aircraft developed in 1930
  • E8N - 'Dave' reconnaissance seaplane launched in 1935
  • E12N - 1938 prototype reconnaissance seaplane, eventually surpassed by Kawanishi E12K

Dive Bomber

  • D2N
  • D3N - 1936 carrier dive bomber prototype, evolved from C3N and B5N designs; unsuccessful against Aichi D3A

Heavy Bomber

  • G5N - 'Liz' heavy four-engine long-range bomber introduced in 1941
  • G8N - 'Rita' heavy four-engine long-range bomber from 1945
  • G10N - conceptual six-engine long-range bomber proposed in 1945

Transport

  • L1N - naval adaptation of the Ki-34
  • L2D - Navy transport aircraft from 1939; licensed reproduction of the Douglas DC-3

Fighter

  • - fighter-trainer produced under license from the Nieuport 24
  • - biplane fighter constructed under license based on the Nieuport-Delage NiD 29
  • - parasol monoplane fighter introduced in 1931
  • Ki-8 - fighter prototype developed in 1934
  • Ki-11 - 1934 fighter prototype, defeated by Kawasaki Ki-10
  • Ki-12 - fighter prototype from 1936, lost to Mitsubishi Ki-18
  • Ki-27 - late 1936 Army monoplane fighter model
  • Ki-37 - proposed fighter design from 1937 (project only)
  • Ki-43 - 'Oscar' Army fighter introduced in 1939
  • Ki-44 - 'Tojo' Army fighter launched in 1940
  • Ki-53 - multi-seat heavy fighter concept (project only)
  • Ki-58 - escort fighter prototype variant
  • Ki-62 - 1941 prototype fighter competing with Kawasaki Ki-61
  • Ki-63 - radial engine variant of the Ki-62
  • Ki-69 - proposed escort fighter version of the Mitsubishi Ki-67 (project only)
  • Ki-75 - heavy fighter design proposal (project only)
  • Ki-84 - 'Frank' Army fighter introduced in 1943
  • Ki-87 - high-altitude fighter-interceptor prototype developed in 1945
  • Ki-101 - twin-engine night fighter concept (project only)
  • Ki-113 - steel component variant of the Ki-84 (project only)
  • Ki-116 - single-seat fighter prototype from 1945
  • Ki-117 - production designation for the Ki-84N
  • Ki-118 - short-range fighter adapted from Mitsubishi A7M (project only)
  • Ki-337 - two-seat fighter concept (project only)
  • Ki-201 - jet fighter/attack aircraft prototype resembling German Messerschmitt Me 262, developed in 1945 (project only)

Bomber

  • B-6 - licensed-built version of the Breguet 14B.2
  • Ki-13 - attack aircraft proposal (project only)
  • Ki-19 - twin-engine heavy bomber prototypes from 1937, lost to Mitsubishi Ki-21
  • Ki-31 - two-seat light bomber concept (project only)
  • Ki-49 - 'Helen' medium bomber introduced in 1941
  • Ki-52 - dive bomber project (project only)
  • Ki-68 - planned bomber variant of the G5N

Reconnaissance

  • Ki-4 - reconnaissance biplane introduced in 1933

Transport

  • Ki-6 - transport and trainer aircraft from 1930; produced under license as a variant of the Fokker Super Universal
  • Ki-16 - proposed cargo transport and ground refueling plane (design stage only)
  • Ki-34 - 'Thora' model from 1937; transport adaptation of the AT-2
  • Ki-41 - conceptual cargo transport aircraft (project phase)

Trainer

  • - licensed production of the Nieuport 83 used for training purposes

Kamikaze aircraft

  • Ki-115 - kamikaze aircraft deployed in 1945; designated differently in IJN service
  • Ki-230 - planned kamikaze model

Jet prototypes

  • - experimental Navy jet designed for land-based ground attack and anti-submarine warfare roles in 1945; two prototypes constructed; recognized as Japan’s first jet-powered aircraft

Civil aircraft

  • Nakajima-Douglas DC-2 - Douglas DC-2 produced under license
  • Super Universal - 1930 licensed version of the Fokker Super Universal airliner
  • AN-1 - Ki-11 prototype adapted for liaison and courier duties
  • AT-1 - initial design preceding the AT-2 model
  • AT-2 - passenger transport introduced in 1936
  • LB-2 - naval bomber prototype from 1936 later converted into an airliner
  • N-19 - Ki-19 prototype modified for mail delivery
  • Nakajima N-36 - transport prototype developed in 1928
  • Nakajima P-1 - mail plane from 1933, converted from the E4N

Aircraft engines

See also

Bibliography

  • Francillon, René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London, Putnam & Company, 1970,1979. .


External links

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