The Nihon
Hikoki Seiskusho K.K. was founded by navy Lieutenant Chikuhei
Nakajima in 1917 and reorganized as the Nakajima Hikoki K.K.
in 1919. Nakajima quickly became on of the two major aircraft
manufacturers in Japan.
Early experience was gained by manufacturing
foreign designs from Nieuport, Avro and Gloster some of which were
flown into the 1930s. Aircraft of Japanese design were
delivered to both the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy during World
War II.
Nakajima also built Bristol Jupiter and Lorraine
engines from 1927 through 1938 and used the Jupiter as a basis to
developed it's own Ha-1 Kotobuki. Nakajima was second to
Mitsubishi in the production of engines during World War II.
In 1952 permission was given for the resumption of
aircraft manufacture in Japan. Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki
Kaisha (Fuji Heavy Industries) was formed in 1953 using the
major assets of Nakajima.
