Aircraft History
Built by Ishikawajima as a as a powerplant for the Nakajima J9Y Kikka (Orange Blossom), Japan's first jet aircraft designed and flight tested during 1945. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN).

Wartime History
At the end of the Pacific War, this engine was captured in Japan. This was one of two engines inspected by U.S. Navy (USN) intelligence and loaded aboard USS Barnes CVE-20 with other captured aircraft and departed Japan on November 3, 1945 bound the United States.

Postwar
During 1946, the engines were sent to the Chrysler Corporation. A working engine was assembled with the parts of the two Ne-20s, and tested for 11 hours and 46 minutes, and evaluated in a secret report "Japanese NE-20 turbo jet engine. Construction and performance", completed during 1947.

Display
This engine was returned to Japan and is displayed at the Tokyo Science Museum along with design documents and the Chrysler Corporation report.

References
Chrysler Corporation "Japanese NE-20 turbo jet engine. Construction and performance" 1947
National Air and Space Museum - Nakajima Kikka (Orange Blossom)

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Last Updated
November 9, 2019