Kyushu Hikoki
Kyūshū Hikōki (九州飛行機; Kyushu Aircraft) 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.
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 (Kyushu Armaments).
After the war, the company was renamed
Watanabe Jidōsha Kōgyō (Watanabe Automobile Industries) and manufactured automobile bodies and parts, but was dissolved in 2001.