Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941

154 Pages·1990·136.36 MB·English

by  Robert C.Mikesh

/
JapBnese A1rcraft
1910-1941
Robert C Mikesh &Shorzoe Abe
Japanese Aircraft
Japanese Aircraft
1910-1941
3 Robert C Mikesh & Shorzoe Abe
This Mitsubishi Army Type 87 Light Bomberwasanadaptationofthe very successfulNavy Type 13 Carrier Attack
Bombersof1923. When combat developed in Manchuria in 1931, these bombers participatedin earlygroundsupport
roles.
NAVAL
INSTITUTE
PRESS
Contents
Preface Nishida
:\ishidaSporr eroplane
l'he Early Years 4
Ogawa 26
Early Privately-built Aircraft 12 Ogawa No. I eroplane 26
Ogawa o. 2Aeroplane 26
I
.\wazu Flight Research Studio 12 Ogawa No. 3Taxi-ingTrainer 26
:\wazu No.2 Seicho-fl,o eroplane 12 Ogawa No. 5Trainer 27
Fujinawa 13 Oguri 27
Fujinawa Orenco Aeroplane 13 Oguri-CurrissJenny Trainer 27
Oguri No. 2Trainer 28
Hino 13
Hino No. 1Aeroplane 13 Ozaki 28
Hino No.2 eroplane 14- Ozaki Tractor Biplane 28
Hino No.3 Aeroplaneand No. + Kamikaze-go Ozaki Soga-go Aeroplane 29
1+
Hoshino 15 Saito 30
Hoshino Aeroplane 15 Saigai eroplane 30
Ichimori 16 Shigeno 30
!chimori Monocoque Aeroplane 16 Shigeno IVakadori-go eroplane 31
!chimori SkylarkSporr-plane 16
Sonoda 32
Iga I7 Sonoda Aeroplane 32
Iga Mailszl'm-fl,o Aeroplane 17
Tachibana, also Japan erorlane
Inagaki 17 lanufacturing Works
Inagaki Tractor 17 Suzuki Cyro 00. 2Tractor "J)
Sakamoto No. 6Aeroplane 33
Ishibashi I rnino Seaplane 3+
© RobertC1\likesh& Shorzoc Abc 1990 Ishibashi SPAD XIII Racing Aircraft 18
Takasou 34
Firsrpublished InCrear Brirain bv Isobe 19 Takasou No. +Aeroplane 3+
Purnalll :\eronaurieal Books,an illlprinrof
IsobeSeaplane 19 Takasoll No. SAeroplane 35
Conway .\laririlllePress Lrd
Isobe o. 2Aeroplane 19 Takasou TN-6 Aeroplane 35
1+ Bride I,ane, FleetSrreet 1
Isobe RumplerTaube Aeroplane 19
London EC4Y SDR
Tamai, also Nippon Flying School
36
Publishedanddistribured In rhe lJnitedStares Izaki, also Sempu Flying School 20 Tarnai 1 o. ISeaplane 36
ofAmericaand Canada by rhe:\aval Insritute Press )Jo. 2Sempu-go Aeroplane 20 Tarnai 2,\'ippon-goSeaplane 37
:\.nnapolis,,\laryland ll-tOl NFSTarnai 00. I Aeroplane 37
Maruoka 21 NFS Tarnai No.2 Trainer 38
LibraryofCongressCatalogCard No. 90 60496 Man-powered Screw Wing Machine 21 NFSTamai No.3 Trainer 38
Tamai No.5 Trainer 39
ISB:\ I 557S0 563 1
Morita 21 Tamai No. 2+Trainer 39
.\lorita Aeroplane 22
Thisedition isauthorized for saleonlyin
Torigai
+0
the lJniredSratesand its rerritoriesand possessions,
and Canada Narahara, also Tokyo Aeroplane Torigai /-Iayabusa-go Aeroplane 40
Manufacturing Works 22
All righrs reserved. Unaurhoriscdduplicarion Narahara No. I Aeroplane 22 Tsuzuku +0
conrra\'enesapplicablela\\'s :'\arahara No.2 Aeroplane 23 Tsu7.llku :'\0. I eroplane +1
:'\arahara No.3 Aeroplane 23 TS1l7.llku :--':0. 2Aeroplane +1
.\IanufaeruredinCrear Brirain I'\arahara No.4 Ohlori-go Aeroplane 2-t Tsu7.llku No. 3Aeroplane 41
vi JAPANESE AIRCRAFT 1910 1941
CONTENTS vii
Veda
42 Experimental 6-Shi ight Reconnaissance Ishikawajima R-3 Trainer [05 Experimcntal II-Shi Special ReconnaissanceSeaplanc
eda t-Iiryu-go Aeroplane +2 Flying-boat 70 Ishikawajima R-5 Experimental Trainer 106 (EIIKI)and Navy Type 96 Transport 139
AB-4Transport Flying-boat 71 Army Type 91 Fighter 106 Experimcntal II-Shi IntermediateSeaplaneTraincr
Umcda
42 Experimental AB-5Three-seat Reconnaissance Army Type 94 Reconnaissancc Aircraft (KiA) 107 (K6KI) 140
Umeda Aeroplane 42 Seaplane (HD 62) 72 (Continuedas Tachikawa AeroplancCo Ltd) Experimcntal 12-ShiThree-seat Reconnaissancc
Experimental 7-Shi ReconnaissanceSeaplane 73 Seaplane (E13K1) 140
Yasui Flying Research Studio
43 Experimental 8-Shi ReconnaissanceSeaplane (E8AI) 74 Itoh Aeroplane Research Studio 107 Navy Type0Primary SeaplaneTrainer (K8KI) 141
Yasui TN-6 Kai Aeroplane 43 Experimental 7-Shi Carrier Arrack Aircraft 75 [roh Emi I Aeroplane 107
Yasui 1 o. 3Aeroplane H avy Type 92 Carrier Attack Aircraft (B3YI) 75 [roh Emi 2Aeroplane 108 Kawasaki Aircraft Company Ltd 142
Experimental 8-Shi Special Bomber 75 [roh Emi 3Seaplane 109 Army TypeOtsu I Reconnaissance Aircraft
Aircraft Manufacturers 45 NavyType 96 ReconnaissanceSeaplane (EIOAI) 76 [roh Tsurubane No. I Aeroplane 109 (Kawasaki-Salmson 2-A.2) 143
Experimental 10-Shi Observation Aircraft(F1AI) 77 lroh Emi 5Aeroplane 110 ArmyType 87 Heavy-Bomber
Army-built Aeroplanes by Provisional Military Experimental 12-ShiTwo-seat Reconnaissance lroh Emi 6Aeroplane(Fujiwara Tsubarnc-go) 110 (Kawasaki-Dornier Do N) 144
Balloon Research Association,and Army Arsenals 45 Seaplane (EI2AI) 78 lroh Emi 9Trainer III rmy Type 8Rcconnaissance Aircraft 145
KKaaiisshhiikkii oos..I2A,3eraonpdla4neAeroplanes 46 Akabane Aeroplane Manufacturing Works 80 [lrroohhTEmsuiruIbIaTnaexNi-ion.g2TAraeirnoebratic Aeroplane I1I1I2 ExrmpeyrimTyenpteal K8DLCig-h2t TBroamnbperort 114467
Army Type Mo (Maurice Farman Type) 1913 47 Kishi o. I Tsurugi-go Aeroplane 80 lroh Emi 12 Trainer 1/3 Army Experimental KDA-3 Fighter 148
CKoanisvehreiokrtpieldanoTe.y5peanMdoN(oM.6auAriecreopFlaarnmesan Type) 4498 KKKiiissshhhiii NNNooo...324 TTTsssuuurrruuugggiii---gggooo AAeeerrroooppplllaaannneee 888110 lllrrtooohhh EEEmmmiii 111364 LFuoojn.i-ggI-oraanRndagceNinAog.c2AroeTprlroaapninleaenrcs 11111/354 KEExxappweearrsiimmakeeinn-ttDaallorGCnaiieyrrruieKNroRom.ee3ctoTFnnlryaaininsssgpa-nobcroteat ircraft 111545190
KaAisehriokiplanoe. 7Aeroplane 5490 KKiisshhii Noo..65TT5su1Irruuggii--ggoo AAeerrooppllaannee 8822 Ilrtoohh EEmmii 1178TPrsiuvrautebaAneeroj pol.an3eAerobatic Aeroplane 111/65 KAarmwyasTakyip-Deo9r2niFerigWhtaelrTransport Flying-boat 115512
Kaishiki o. 7Small Aeroplane 50 Fukuda Light Aeroplane Manufacturing Works83 ltoh Emi 19 Akim-goPrivate eroplane 1/6 Experimental KD -6 Reconnai ance Aircraftand
Army Henri FarmanType Model 4 Aeroplane Fukuda Hikari Research-2 Moror Glider 83 ltoh Emi 20 Oguri-go Private Aeroplane 116 Kawasaki A-6 Communication Aircraft 154
(Army Type Mo-4 eroplane) 51 Fukuda/Hitachi HT-3 Research Glider 83 [toh Emi 22 Yarnagatakincn-go Long-range Aeroplane 117 ArmyType 93 Single-engine Light Bomber (Ki-3) 155
Seishiki-I Aeroplane 52 [roh Emi 23 BulldogTrainer 118 Experimental Ki-5 Fighter 155
Army Maurice Farman TypeModel 6 Aeroplane Fukunaga Aeroplane Manufacturing lroh Emi 24 Akita-goLong-range Aeroplane 118 Kawasaki C-5 Communication Aircraft 156
( rmy TypeMo-6 Aeroplane) 53 Works 84 [roh Emi 25 Trainer 119 Experimental Ki-2 Fighter 157
Standard H-3 Trainer 55 FukunagaTenryu 3Trainer 84 ltoh Emi 29 Taihoku-go PassengerTransport 119
Seishiki-2 Aeroplane 55 FukunagaTenryu 6 Long-range Racing Aeroplane 84 [toh Emi 28 and 31 Flying-boats 120 !lanko/Man-pi
Army Maurice Farman 5Aeroplane 55 Fukunaga Tenryu 7Trainer 85 ltoh Emi 30Sport Aeroplane (Manchurian Airways Co Ltd Manchurian Acroplanc
Army Model 2Ground Taxi-ingTrainer 56 FukunagaTenryu 8Trainer 85 lroh Emi 50Sport Aeroplane 122 ManufacturingCo Ltd) 158
Army Model 3GroundTaxi-ingTrainer 57 Fukunaga~ nryu 9Trainer 86 Manko MT-l I-1ayabusa PasscngcrTransport 158
Koshiki-I Experimental Reconnaissance Aircraft 57 Fukunaga Tenryu 10 PassengerTransport 86 Japan Small Aeroplane Co Ltd 123 Manko MT-2 LightPasscngerTransport 159
Koshiki-2 Experimental Fighter 57 Nippon Hachi Motor Glidcr 123
Koshiki A-3 Experimental Long-range Reconnaissance Gasuden (Tokyo Gas & Electrical Industry Co Ltd) 87
Aircraft 58 Gasuden KR-I Small PassengerTransport 87 Kawanishi Aircraft Company Ltd 124 Mitsubishi Aircraft Co Ltd 160
Kaibo Gikai KB Experimental Flying-boat 58 Gasuden KR-2 Small PassengerTransport 8 K-I Mail-carrying Aircraft 125 Navy Aircraft
Army Experimental Model 3Fighter 59 Gasuden Model I, 2and 3Trainers 89 K-2 Racing Aircraft 125 Navy Type 10Carrier Fightcr 161
Army Experimental Three-seat Light Bomber 60 Gasuden Koken Long-range Research Aircraft 90 K-3 Communication Aircraft 126 Navy Typc 10Carrier Rcconnaissancc Aircraft 162
GasudenTR-I Medium PassengerTransport 91 K-5 Mail-carryingSeaplanc 127 Navy Typc 10CarricrTorpedo ircraft 163
Aichi Watch and Electric Machinery Gasuden TR-2 Medium PassengerTransport 92 K-6 TransportScaplane 127 Navy Typc 13 Carricr Attack Aircraft (B1M1to 3) 164
Company Ltd K-7ATransportSeaplanc 128 Experimcntal Taka-typeCarrier Fightcr 165
61 Hirosho (Hiro aval Arsenal) 93 K-7B Mail-carrying Aircraft 129 Experimcntal Typc-R Flying-boat 165
Experimental Type 15-Ko Reconnaissance
eaplane(Mi-go) 61 Navy F.5 Flying-boat 93 K- ATransportSeaplane 131 Experimcntal Special-purposeCarrier Reconnaissance
Experimental R-3 Flying-boat 94 K-8B Transport Seaplane 131 Aircraft 167
avy Type 2Two-seat Reconnaissance
avy Type 15 Flying-boat (HIHI ro 3) 95 K-IOTransport 132 avy Type 89 Carricr Arrack ircraft (B2MIro 2) 167
Seaplane (HD 25) 62
Navy Type 2Single-scat Reconnaissance j avy Type 89 Flying-boat (H2HI) 96 K-II Experimental Carricr Fighter 133 NavyTypc 93 Land-based ttack ircraft 168
Navy Type 90-1 Flying-boat (H3HI) 97 K-12 Long-rangc Monoplanc 134 Expcrimcntal 7-Shi Carrier ttack Aircraft I70
Seaplane (HD 26) 63
I avy Type 91 Flying-boat (H4Hl and 2) 98 Navy Type 13 ScaplancTrainer (KIY2) 135 Expcrimcntal 7-Shi Carricr Fightcr 170
Experimental Three-scat Reconnaissance
Seaplane (HD 28) 6+ j avy Type92 Carrier Arrack Aircraft (B3YI) 99 Navy Type 15 ReconnaissanccSeaplane Expcrimcntal 8-ShiTwo-scat Fightcr 171
avy Type 95 Land-based Arrack Bomber (G2HI) (E2 Iand 2) 135 Expcrimcntal 8-Shi Spccial Rcconnaissancc
Experimental Type-H Carrier Fighter (HD 23) 65
(Navy Experimental 7-Shi Attack Aircraft) 100 Navy Type 3Land-based Primary Traincr Aircraft (G1MI) 171
NavyType 15-2 Flying-boat (HIH3) 66
AB-I Transport 66 (K2YI and 2) 135 Experimcntal 9-Shi Carricr Attack Aircraft (B4MI) 172
Ishikawajima Aeroplane Manufacturing
Navy Type 90-2 Flying-boat (H3KI) 135 Expcrimcntal 9-Shi Single-scat Fighter 173
Type2Transport (HD 25) 67 Co Ltd
101 NavyType 90-3 ReconnaissanceScaplane(E5KI) 137 Navy Type 3Primary Land-based Trainer
NavyType 90-1 ReconnaissanceSeaplane (E3AI) 67
[shikawajima T-2 Experimental Reconnaissance NavyType 90-2-2 ReconnaissanceSeaplane (E4N2) 137 (K2Yland2) 175
Experimental AB-2 Catapult-Launched Reconnaissance
Aircraft 102 NavyType 91 Flying-boat (H4HI and 2) 137 avy Type95 Land-based Attack Aircraft (G2H1) 175
Seaplane 68
Experimental AB-3 Single-seat Reconnaissance Ishikawajima CM-l (R-I) Experimental Trainer 103 Tavy Type 91 ReconnaissanceSeaplane (E6YI) 137 Army Aircraft
Seaplane 69 [shikawajima R-2 Experimental Trainer 103 Expcrimental 8-Shi ReconnaissanceSeaplane (E8K1) 137 Army Type Ko ITrainer ( ieuporr I-E2) 176
[shikawajimaT-3 Experimental Reconnaissance Expcrimental 9-Shi Night RcconnaissanceSeaplanc ArmyTypeKi ITrainer (Hanriot HD-I+) 176
Navy Type 89 Flying-boat (H2HI) 70 Aircraft
104 (E10KI)and NavyTypc 94Transport 138 Expcrimcntal Washi-type Light Bombcr 177
viii JAPANESE AIRCRAFT 1910 1941 CONTENTS ix
Army Type 87 Light Bomber 177 Experimental Ki-19 Heavy Bomber 220 Tachikawa Aeroplane Co Ltd 250 Experimental Yokosho akajimaTracrorSeaplane 265
Experimental Tobi-type Reconnaissance Aircraft 178 Xavy Aircraft Tachikawa Army Small and Light Ambulance Aeroplane Experimental YokoshoTwin-engined Seaplane 266
Experimental Hayabusa-type Fighter 179 ;-.Javy Yokosho Ro-go Ko-gata Reconnaissance (KKY) 250 Experimental Yokosho Ho-go Otsu-gata Seaplane 267
Experimental Short Range Reconnaissance Aircraft I 0 Seaplane 221 Tachikawa KSSmall Survey ircraft 251 lavy Short ReconnaissanceSeaplane
rmy Type 92 Reconnaissance Aircraft 180 Navy Avro 504Trainer 221 Tachikawa-Beechcraft C-17E LightTransport (Short 225,TypeS.184) 267
Army Type 92 Heavy Bomber (Ki-20) 182 Navy Type Hansa ReconnaissanceSeaplane 221 Aircraft 251 Navy Ha-go Small Seaplane (Sopwith Schneider) 268
Army Type 93 Heavy Bomber (Ki-I) 183 Navy Type 13 SeaplaneTrainer(KIYI and 2) 222 TachikawaTS-I Experimental Ultra-light ircraft 252 Experimental Yokosho Ho-go Small Seaplane 268
Army Type 93 Twin-Engine Light Bomber (Ki-2) 184 Navy Type 14 ReconnaissanceSeaplane (EIYIro 3) 222 Tachikawa R-38 Experimental Trainer 253 Navy Yokosho Ro-go Ko-gara Reconnaissance
Experimental Ki-7 CrewTrainer 186 Nakajima-Breguet ReconnaissanceSeaplane 222 Seaplane 269
Experimental Ki-18 Fighter 186 1avy Type IS ReconnaissanceSeaplane Tokyo Aviation Company Ltd 254 Navy Yokosho I-go Ko-gata SeaplaneTrainer 270
Experimental Ki-33 Fighter 187 (E2NI and 2) 223 Tokyo Koku Aiba-Tsubame 6and 7Light Passenger Navy F.5 Flying-boat 270
Civil Aircraft avy Type 3Carrier Fighter (AINI and 2) 224 Transport 254 avy Avro 504Trainer 270
Mitsubishi-Hanriot 2 Trainer 188 NavyType90 Carrier Fighter (A2NI) 225 Tokyo Koku Aiba-Tsubame 8Trainer 255 Navy Type Hansa ReconnaissanceSeaplane 271
Mitsubishi R-I.2 Trainer I 8 Navy Type 90-2-1 ReconnaissanceSeaplane (E41 I) 226 Tokyo Koku iba 10Trainer 256 ;-.Javy Type 10 Reconnais anceSeaplane 272
Mitsubishi R-2.2 Trainer 189 avy Type 90-2-2 and 3ReconnaissanceSeaplane Tokyo Koku iba II Light PassengerTransport 257 ;-.JavyType 13Trainer(KIYIand 2) 273
Mitsubishi R-4Survey Aircraft 190 (E41 2and 3) 227 NavyType 14 ReconnaissanceSeaplane(EIYIro 3)and
Mitsubishi F3BI Trainer 190 Experimental 6-Shi CarrierTwo-seat Fighter 228 Type 14ModifiedTransportSeaplane 273
Tokyo Imperial University 257
Mitsubishi Tora-type Long-range Aircraft 190 Experimental Kusho 6-Shi Special Bomber 229 Experimental Tatm-go ReconnaissanceSeaplane 275
Mitsubishi T-I.2 Converted Aeroplane 191 Experimental 7-Shi Carrier Fighter 230 LB-2 Light Aeroplane 257 Navy Yokosho I-go ReconnaissanceSeaplane 276
Mitsubishi Hibari-typeTrainer 192 Experimental 7-Shi Carrier Arrack Aircraft 230 NavyType 3Land-based Primary Trainer
Mitsllbishi Tombo-typeTrainer 192 Experimental 7-Shi Special Bomber 231 Watanabe Iron Works Ltd 258 (K2Yl and 2) 276
MitsllbishiType-R Transport Flying-boat 192 avy Fokker Reconnaissance Aircraft (C2 Iand 2) 23I NavyType 3-2 Land-based PrimaryTrainer 258 NavyType 90SeaplaneTrainer (K4YI) 277
Mitsubishi MC-I PassengerTransport 193 Navy Type 95 Carrier Fighter (A4 I) 232 Navy Type 90 SeaplaneTrainer (K4YI) 258 NavyType 90-3 ReconnaissanceSeaplane (E5YI) 278
Mitsubishi Type 89 General PurposeAircraft 194 Experimental 8-Shi CarrierTwo-seat Fighter 233 NavyType96 Small Reconnais anceSeaplane avy Type 91 ReconnaissanceSeaplane(E6Y1)
(E9VV1) 258 ( avy Yokosho 2-go ReconnaissanceSeaplane) 279
Mitsubishi 2MR8 Trainer 194 Experimental 8-Shi Special Bomber (02 I) 233
Mitsubishi Type 90 General Purpose Aircraft 194 Experimental 9-Shi Single-seat Fighter 234 NavyType 92 Carrier Arrack Aircraft (B3YI) 259 NavyType 91 IntermediateTrainer 280
Mitsllbishi MS-I PassengerTransport 194 Experimental LB-2 Long-range Attack ircraft Experimental 1I-Shi IntermediateSeaplaneTrainer Experimental Kusho 6-Shi Special Bomber 280
Mitsllbishi Haro-typeSurvey Aircraft 195 ( akajima-type Long-range Medium Attack (K6VVI) 259 Experimental Kusho 8-Shi Special Bomber (D2YI) 280
Siam Navy ReconnaissanceSeaplane 260 Navy Type92 CarrierArrack Aircraft (B3YI) 280
Hinazuru-type PassengerTransport (Mitsubishi Aircraft) 235
Airspeed Envoy) 196 Experimental 9-Shi Carrier Arrack Aircraft (B4NI) 236 Experimental 12-Shi Primary SeaplaneTrainer Experimental Kusho 12-Shi Special Flying-boat
Ohrori-type Long-rangeCommunications Aircraft 196 Navy Type 97 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft (K8VVI) 260 (H7YI) 281
(C3NI) 236 Experimental Research Aircraft (MXYIand 2) 261 Experimental Research ircraft (MXYI) 282
akajima Aeroplane Company Ltd 198 Experimental II-Shi Carrier Bomber (03 I) 237
Civilaircraft Experimental 12-ShiTwo-seat ReconnaissanceSeaplane Yokosho, Kusho and Kugisho (Naval Air Arsenal Appendix
Nakajima Type I Biplane 199 (EI2NI) 238 at Yokosuka) 262 A japanese Aircraftofthe PacificVVar Period 283
Nakajima Type 3Biplane 200 avy Type Mo SmallSeaplane 263 B CalendarConversion forjapanese Armyand Navy
Nakajima Type4Biplane 201 Nippi (Nihon AeroplaneCo Ltd) 239 NavyTypeKa seaplane (Curtiss 1912) 263 AircraftType Numbers 286
lakajima Type5Biplane 201 ippi NH-I Hibari Light Aeroplane 239 Experimentaljapanese-Navy-TypeSeaplane 264 C Bibliography 287
o
Nakajima Type6Biplane 202 Experimental 12-Shi Primary SeaplaneTrainer NavyType Mo LargeSeaplane Glossary 288
Nakajima Type 7Biplane 202 (K8Nil) 240 (Maurice Farman 1914) 264 Index 289
Nakajima B-6 Biplane 203 Experimental 13-ShiSmall Transport (UPI) 240
Nakajima N-36Transport 204
Nakajima Fishery Seaplane 204 Nozawa Aviation Research Institute 241
Nakajima-FokkerSuper Universal Transport 205 Nozawa Z-I Light Aeroplane 241
akajima P-I Mail-carrying Aircraft 206 Nozawa X-I Light Aeroplane 242
Nakajima-Douglas DC-2 Transport 207
Armyaircraft Shirato Aeroplane Research Studio 242
akajimaType 5Trainer 209 Shiraro Asahi-goAeroplane 243
Army Model 2Ground Taxi-ingTrainer 210 Shiraro Anzani (GroundTaxi-ing)Trainer 243
Army Type Ko 3Fighter/Trainer 210 Shiraro Iwao-go Aeroplane 244
Army Type Ko 2Trainer 211 Shiraro Takeru-go Aeroplanealso TamuraTracror
Army Type Ko 4Fighter 211 and Ichimori Tracror 245
Experimental Nakajima N-35 Reconnaissance Shiraro Kaoru-go (Shiraro 16) Aeroplane 245
Aircraft 212 Shiraro 20 Aeroplane 245
Nakajima Bulldog Fighter 213 Shiraro 25 Kuma-go Racing Aeroplane 246
Army Type 91 Fighter 214 Shiraro 26 Trainer 246
Nakajima-Fokker Ambulance Aeroplane 215 Shiraro 28Trainer 247
ArmyType 94 Reconnaissance Aircraft (KiA) 216 Shiraro 31 Trainer 247
Experimental Ki-8 Two-seat Fighter 217 Shiraro 32 Racing Aeroplane 24
Experimental Ki-II Fighter 21 Shiraro 37 Racing Aeroplane 24
ArmyType 95-2 Trainer (Ki-6) 219 Shiraro 38Trainer 249
Experimental Ki-12 Fighter 220 Shiraro 40Trainer 249
Preface
For the vast number of japanese nounce designations, but they are japanese types or modifications of
aeroplanes types that were built meaningless unless thereisan under foreign designs. The first apparent
during the period covered by this standing of their usage. [n the case organized form to standardize an
book, it is disappointing that more of military aircraft in particular, Armydesignationsystem forjapan
has not been written in English. more than one designation system ese aircraft went into effect in
Differences in language and trans wa used simultaneously, and these December 1921. This consisted of
lation difficulties have been the often overlapped during periods of a kana character selectively assign
primary cause, leaving japanese change. This adds considerable ed to manufacturers of these air
aviation pioneers and the early confusion and it is hoped that the craft. japanese alphabets are not
formation of the japanese aviation following explanations will help easily adaptable as a numbering
industry virtually unknown to the clarify some ofthese problems. system like the English alphabet,
restofthe world. [t is hoped, there due to variations in sequence of
fore, that this book will bring to a characters. Consequently a fairly
Army Identification System
wider audience a new insight into understandable Chinesealphabet of
the background of early aviation [n the earlier years of aviation, kanji characters was used a follows.
history injapan. there was little concern for an
Included in this coverage are all identification system. The manu Kanji Pro- English Manu-
the japanese aircraft built in japan facturer's preference or that which Character nozmced Equivalent facturer
(some unsuccessful butnevertheless was most suited for the respective Ej3 Ko A icuporr
meaningful in somerespect)as well aircraft type was used. As japan Z. Otsu B Salmson
as thefew in numberthat werebuilt started producing its own military P'f Hei C SPA0
in Europe and the nited States to aircraft which were often adapta T Tei 0 Farman
a specification created in japan but tions of imported types, some sort IX Bo E Caudron
that affected further development of new identification system was C. Ki F {-Iamiot
ofthe design as ajapanese aircraft. needed. This was developed by the
otincludedareglidersand lighter first producer of Army aircraft, a
than-air craft. section of the Army called the With this explanation the reader
As the research for this book pro Provisional Military Balloon Re can translate for himself the mean
gressed, there was astrong inclina search Association (or Society). ing of these prefix terms. As an
tion to analyse various trends in Their aircraft were subsequently example, it would be correct in the
japanese aviation development and identified by the kanji character for caseofthe Nieuport fighter to refer
accomplishments in perspective Kai meaning Association, followed to it as Type A4. However, rather
with similar happenings through by a consecutive number as new than to translate namesand designa
out the world that may have in aircraft were developed. tions to where they could lose their
fluenced these events. This would Conversions offoreign aircraftin japanese identity, the japanese
have been conjecture on the part of japan such as Maurice Farmans nomenclatures such as Type Ko 4
the authors, for, at this late date, could hardly lose their originator's for the same aeroplane will be
therearea few waysofknowing to identity. Therefore, to identify retained in this coverage.
what degree foreign events were these aeroplanes, the first japanese That system soon became out
known to the japanese individuals characteroftheir namewas used; in dated and by 1927, a type-number
concerned. Communicationand the this case Mo. (Phonetic pronunci system was adopted which was
flood of media news events were ation of Maurice when put into based upon the japanese calendar
not as we know them today. japanese and using only the first year. This was followed by an
Therefore, any correlation with characterto identifythetype, trans additional Kitai number system
these happenings must beleft to the lation back into English is Mo that went into effect in 1932. Both
reader and not referred to here rather than Ma.) Consequently, systems remained throughout the
where they may be construed as Mo Shiki translated means Type PacificWarand will bedescribed in
fact. (Shiki) Mo or Maurice Farman greater detail.
Another discouraging element in Type. Thesameapplies to SoShiki
the study ofjapaneseaircraft is the or Sopwith Type.
Navy Identification System
complicatedmethods used through Although aircraft imported into
out its history such as the termin japan are beyond the scope of this In the earlier years of aval
ology and multiple systems used in book, it is appropriate that the aircraft, three designation systems
identifying their aircraft. Not only identifying systems be discussed were used overasixand ahalfyear
are these strange and hard to pro- here, since they have a bearing on period. This led to considerable
2 JAP ESEAIRCRAFT 1910 1941 PREFACE 3
confusionbecausethesamedesigna ning with Showa 6 (1931), every for the year that followed. covered by this volume, but are Robert Mikeshan Air Forceofficer the aid of many contributors, will
tions were given different mean new design proposal by the Navy This wasalongand cumbersome adequately described in Dr Rene and pilot. Mikesh was later assign always be recognized as a pflme
ings. These were in the form of was identified by the year of its way of identifying Navy aircraft. Francillon's japanese Aircraft of the ed to Japan on two assignments source of early Japanese aviation
Japanese katakana characters of I, proposal and tied to the kanji Shi of To solve the problem, the Navy Pacific War, mention ofthese types totalling seven years and the two history.
Ro, Ha, Ni, etc, a type ofconsecu the word Shisaku literally meaning devised what is termed the short is made here only where appropri often worked closely on research Colleagues at the National Air
tive letteringor numbering used for trial manufacture. As a conse designation system. The Navy had atc. A full list of those aeroplanes into Japanese aviation. In recent andSpaceMuseum were most help
these three systems during the quence, with several manufacturers admired the US Navy methodsand which eventually served in the years, they recognized the need for ful and include Dr Howard Wolko,
periods shown below. This type of producing an experimental aero its aeroplanes in the 1930s, and Pacific War appears in Appendix A English coverage ofthe subject and Russell Lee, Rick Leyes, William
letteringsystem used thesuffix 'go' plane to the same design specifica adopted that system of identifying togetherwiththedatewhenthefirst agreedonco-authorship.Timeavail Hardaker,Norman MooreandHer
which was equivalent to 'type'. To tion and having the same Shi its own aircraft. This consisted ofa oftheirtypewascompletedorflown. able was a problem, Shorzoe Abe bert Brownstein. Others who have
further identify the aircraft with number, confusion was caused. letter to identify the mission-type, Much iscontained hereaboutthe being a senior staff member in a contributed includeStephaneNich
respectto modifications, thesedesig Onlyafteracceptanceoftheaircraft followed by a number which con men that influenced the design of largeengineering firm inKobe, and olaou, John Underwood, Hideya
nations were followed by gata (or was it given a Type number with a secutively identified the acceptance theJapanese aircraft, and who built later assigned to Singapore, and Ando, (Mrs) ValayaSintatiyakorn,
kata) which meant sub-type or descriptive nomenclature describ sequence, then a letter identifying them, as well as about the venture Robert Mikesh being Senior Cura and Colonel Akihiko Hayashi,
model and were preceded byacon ing its mission. ThisType number the manufacturer, and the fourth some aviators and the budding tor for Aeronautics, National Air JASDF, Embassy ofJapan, Wash
secutive Japanese letter as changes ingsystem for Army aircraft began character was the numbered modi compal1les who advanced aviation and Space Museum in Washington, ington, DC
were made, ie Ko-gata, Otsu-gata in 1927 with Type 87: for Navy fication. Both the long and the inJapan. DC Gathering and co-ordinating Special thanks go to the person
(A-model, B-model). This usage aircraft beginning in 1929 with shortform wereusedsimultaneous the data was no simple matter, whose name seldom appears in a
wassimilarto thatoftheArmy, but Type 89. It was not intended that ly, which confuses the issue when complicated by the working dis publication, yet whose contribu
Acknowledgements
in thecaseoftheNavy it meant the thesewereto beacommonnumber using a mix ofboth. tance ofhalfa world apart. tion is so important, that being the
order of acceptance, not manufac ing system for both branches of In addition to the Army using a To present this large quantity of This work has also become a editor. In this caseitisJohnStroud,
turer. Service. (See Appendix B for Type and number designation as Japanese aircraft, most of them collaborative effort by many indi whose outstanding ability shaped
Beginning October 19/5 calendar/type conversions.) already described, they also used a never before recorded in English, viduals, and the authors gratefully this book not only from his
I-go: Trainer powered bya 70hp shortened version known as the would have been impossible with acknowledge the generous help personal understanding of the sub
class engine. Army and Navy Systems Kitai or Airframe numbering sys out access to Japanese-language extended to them over the years, ject but his ability to formulate this
Ro-go: Larger aircraft powered tem. This consisted of the first material and its translation. It was without which it would lack many material into a meaningful form.
by a IOOhp class engine. By coincidence or not, both Ser character of the word Kitai, being essential therefore that this become ofits most interesting items. To our respectivewives, Ramona
Ha-go: Experimental aircraft. vices selected the national era Ki followed by consecutive num a team effort and to include a Most importantly, the greatest and Tomoko, go our individualand
Beginningjune /9/7 method for datingthe year-typefor bers that were issued to each Japanese sharing an interest in the source for our material is from collectivedebts ofthanks. Both un
I-go: Farman-type small model. their aircraft starting in 1927-1929 experimental Army aircraft type history ofJapanese aviation. From Tadashi Nozawa's eight-volume stintingly gave up their claim on
Ro-go: Farman-typelargemodel. respectively. This national era sys regardless of manufacturer. After as early as the mid-l950s, the two series ofbooks entitled Encyclopedia time we would otherwise have
. Ha-go: Sopwith-type, Deperdus tem of numbering years was con acceptance,and evenafter it was no authors corresponded on this sub ofjapanese Aircraft 1900 /945, for shared with them. Without their
sll1-type. ceived after the Meiji Restoration longer an experimental type air ject,withShorzoeAbethenanaero which co-author Shorzoe Abe encouragement and faithful help,
Ni-go: Aircraft with folding of 1868 that established rerroactive craft,theseKi numbers were retain nautical engineer with theJapanese workedasamemberoftheeditorial our book could not have been
wing mechanism. numbers thatbegan with thefound ed as a shortened identity for each Defence Agency in Tokyo and team. This work in Japanese, with completed.
Ho-go: Experimental aircraft. ing of the imperial dynasty set by aircraft type throughout its opera RCM and S
Beginning November /9/8 to jan tradition at 660BC This chron tional existence, in conjunction Washington, DCand Kobe,Japan,
uary 1922 ology was used sporadically as a with the longer designation, which 1990
I-go: Trainer. way ofdating, much like that used was a type-number and word
Ro-go: Reconnaissanceaircraft. with theGregoriancalendarsystem. description.
Ha-go: Pur uit aircraft ofenemy As such, it had its greatest piay in With this complication of dual
aircraft. 1940 when the government cel identifying systems, it is little
Ni-go: Attack aircraft of enemy ebrated whatit proclaimed to bethe wonder that during the Pacific War
surface ships. 2,600thanniversaryofthefounding the Allied forces created their own
A better understanding of the oftheJapanese State. identifying system for Japanese
above will be found when review In using this calendar system, aircraft. This was a collection of
ing Navy aircraft of those periods only the last two digits and, later, easy to remember male and female
using these designations. only one digit of the year were namesassigned to eachtype, regard
As the tempo ofdeveloping new used. A Type 98 aircraft would less ofthe branch ofService. These
designs continued, this system be have been accepted in the year were referred to as Allied Code
came outdated. The Navy soon 2598, equivalent to 1938. The Names, and with this system the
adoptedan identifyingsystem based Zero fighter, for instance, accepted problem was generally solved.
upon a year identity followed by a as a carrier-borne fighter by the After the war, the Japanese them
type description. The year of Navy in the year 2600, became the selves often used this code name
Taisho, was used asaType number NavyType0 CarrierBased Fight method for simplicity.
up through thatcalendarperiodand er, using only the last digit subse Any attempt to provide in one
as far as Showa 3 (1928), changing quently at this turn ofthe calendar, volumecomprehensivedescriptions
then to the last two digits for the thus bringing about the name Zero and histories ofallJapaneseaircraft
year ofJapan. An example would Fighter. The Army, on the other up to the start of the Pacific War
be Navy Type 13 Seaplane Trainer hand, used Type 100 when the year would be impossible. Since most of
for 1924. 2600 arrived, dropping back to the the aircraft employed in that war
During the Showa period begin- use ofa single digit as with Type 1 were designed within the period
THEBEGINNING OFAVIATION INJAPAN 5
concept ofmanned flight. Advanc
ing still further, Taneyasu Matsu
The Early Years mori ofYamagata Prefecturebuilta
helicopter, an ornithopter referred
to as the 'Bird Ship', and other
creations;all were unsuccessful, but
were stepping:.stones to the future.
To the English-speaking world, can be found in its early myths. their midst. When seeing this Ultimately, success in carrying
Japaneseaviationis generally meas One recalls the story of Icarus and winged-man from the sky before man into the air was achieved with
ured in time from just before the Daedalus in forming wings from them, all those in attendance fled balloons, first in Europeand then in
PacificWarin the 1940s. Littlewas feathers and wax with which to fly the party, leaving Kokichi to enjoy the United States. Japan's first
known about Japanese aviation from the island of Crete. This is thefeast offine food andsaketo the balloon was made by Buheita
technology before that time, due comparable to a mythical Sky Ship fullest. Later, when the incident Azabu and Shinpachi Baba of the
for the most part to lack ofinterest thatcarriedtheSonsoftheHeaven became known to the police, Japanese avy. It was a coal-gas
or need; but it wasalso byjapanese ly God to createJapan. This myth Kokichi was arrested since it was filled airtight coated-silk balloon,
designthatthemilitary powerscon was described in Nihon Shoki, one decreed that his crime was in doing fabricated on theathletic field at the interest created by the Englishman This scale model ofan aircraft shows the
trolling Japan's aviation wished to of the oldest books on Japanese what ordinary men do not do Naval AcademyatTsukiji,Tokyo. Charles Spencer when he traveiled modern concept as envisioned in /89/ by
conceal thepotential underdevelop history, published in AD720.* even ifit were but a joke. To begin With this balloon, Baba made the to Japan in November 1890 to Kazuhachi NirlOmiya. Thisrubber-power
ed modelflew /Om, but fapanese officials
ment in preparation for war. The Leonardo da Vinci is looked life anew, he moved to Shizuoka, first captive ascent in April 1876 make demonstration flights. His were not impressed with this proof of
purpose of this book is to fill that upon by most historians as having changed his name to Bikosai and from nearby Sainyogahara Field. ascents overTokyo and Yokohama conceptofflight.
gap in information by describing designed the first craft intended to became a dentist. The story goes This was 93 years after the Mont were finished off with him leaving
individual aircraft that were manu ascend under its own power into that he continued his experiments, golfiers had demonstrated their the balloon inspectacularparachute
factured in japan from the very the air in the 1500s. Ofcourse the this time with a helicopter-like balloon in Paris as the first human jumps during a series of public termed the Purely japanese Type
beginning to those just before the envisioneddesign would not work, machine. His efforts were again flight, and showed that ballooning demonstrations,and hisdemonstra Kite Balloon. Having an envelope
Pacific War. To do this properly, a for he knew then that it lacked discovered by the police, and with did not become the rage, world tion at the Imperial Palace Plaza capacity of 693cum (24,473cuft),
background of the early develop sufficient power, but his concepts samurai-like ruthlessness, they be wide, overnight. becamea nation-widesensation. the balloon carried two men to a
mentofJapaneseaviationisessential putdown on papershowedcreative headed him. Withina yearofthis first balloon In the next month, Thomas recorded height of400m (1,312ft),
soas to haveabetterunderstanding thoughts ofman travelling through Within this same period of the ascent in Japan, a plan came into Baldwin, from the United States on 24 December, 1900. The
of how and why many of these the air. The Japanese look upon late 1700s, Shuto Asato of Okin beingto putthis method offlight to and noted for his early aviation Army's interest was by now
companies were formed. Gennai Hiraga (1726 1779)in this awaexperimented withanornithop good use. In February 1877, the work with balloons and airships, captivated with the potential of
light, whereby he too recorded his ter ofhis own design. He used foot rebel force under General Taka made similar balloon ascents and such flights. In the wake of this
The Beginning of thoughts ofaship capable offlight. power so as to more efficiently flap mori Saigoattackedand isolated the parachute jumps over Tokyo. By success, LtKumaoTokunaga made
Hiraga had inventive talents in thewings. Butpowerfor flight was government forces at the Kuma now, the nation was crazy about a flight to a height of300m (984ft)
Aviation InJapan many engineering subjects, but still in thefuture. Otherexperimen moto Castle in central Kyushu. A ballooning and this interest seemed aboard an Army kite balloon at
later research revealed that his ters with the ornithopter principle, frantic effort was begun at the to have been sparked overnight, graduationceremoniesofthe Army
In the formative years of aviation, concept of flight may have stem such as the families of Tarodaifu Naval Academy to make balloons and to heighten the excitement the Artillery and Engineering School
japan was like any other country that would drift over the castle and Kabuki star, Kikugoro V, staged a held on 23 December, 1901.
med from a model airship that he Toda-ya of Edo (Tokyo), Mika
participating in the development of bought from a Dutchman in Naga tana-ya, and Rigen agasawa, are thus re-establish contact. Buheita drama about a balloonist at the With the outbreak ofthe Russo
theaeroplane.japan had itsshareof saki, Kyushu. among those recorded in theJapan Azabu and other naval engineers Kabuki-za Theatre in Tokyo to japanese Waron 9February, 1904,
dreamers and experimenters, indi Artificial wings became more ese history ofaviation experiments fabricated the first of several bal satisfy his fans. orders were placed with Yamada in
viduals thatstood out from therest. realistic in thejapanese legend con during the feudal days under the loons, which when flown by Baba, Recognizing the importance of June of that year for the manufac
But when the technology emerged tained in Fude-no-susabi (Random Tokugawa military dynasty in the reachedamaximum heightof218m the balloon, the Japanese Army ture of two Purely Japanese Type
to the point that balloons and Writings with Writing Brush). In a 17thand 18thcenturies. (715fr)on2l May, 1877.Thesec placed an order with the French Kite Balloons. These were used
heavier-than-air craft were taking ond balloon also achieved success, man, Gabriel Yon, to supply one during the attacks on the fortress at
story told by Suzan Kan (1748 Duringthe Meiji era thatfollow
on prominence, development of but before either was deployed in gas-filled balloon, complete with Port Arthur, on the Liaotung
1827), there was a man named Ko ed (1868-1911), this 'time of en
aviation in japan became predom combat, the conflict ended in mooring car and a gas generator. Peninsula ofChina, making no less
kichi Ukita, a hyogu-shit who lightenment' makes note of the
Inantly that of elite civilians and favour ofthe government forces. The envelope had a capacity of than fourteen observation flights in
lived in Okayama in southwestern ornithopter designed by Heishiro
group-efforts within the military ThejapaneseArmybecameequal 320cum (11,300cuft). In 1897 at the course ofthe battles. Recogniz
Japan. Kokichi, a man of very Iwata of Nagano Prefecture, who
establishment. Only a few achieve modest means, fabricated a set of recorded his invention with the ly enthusiastic over the use of Wakayama City south of Osaka, ing their worth in combat, the
ments could be credited to civil balloons as a combat weapon. For Isaburo Yamada had designed and Army established a balloon unit at
wings mostly from paper, and, in Department of Technology. The
endeavours,whileinotheraviation such a demonstration, 2-Lt Shin was test flying a balloon ofa kite* Nakano Village on the western
about 1785, allegedly took flight. fact that the machine was not suc
developing countries individuals Having modelled his wings like cessful caused his effort to be roku Ishimoto ascended to a height configuration. This, too, interested edge ofTokyo in October 1907.
and civilian companies were the those of a captured dove, with a ignored at the time, but in retro of 91m (298ft) at military cere the japanese Army, and he was The man most acclaimed for
ones responsible for aviation pro mechanical mechanism to flap the spectthis did notdiminishtheearly monies at the Army Academy in given assistance by Col Tokutaro powered heavier-than-air-flight in
gress. The reason was that Japan wings, Kokichi issaid to haveoften Ichigaya, Tokyo, on 10 June, Kodama and l-Lt Kumao Tokun japanisKazuhachi inomiya (born
was quick to recognize the use of flown from his roof-top over 1878, but activity diminished until aga. When the balloon was perfect in 1865). Ninomiya became the
the aeroplane as an instrument of nearby fields. One evening when *NihonShokiliterallymeansthewrittenhistoryof 1890 when Sotoichi Saito ofTsu ed, Yamada recognized its potential
Japan,abook believedtobethefirstrobewritten
war; therefore themilitary took the seeingan out-doorparty,heswoop after the development of written characters ruoka City submitted plans for his and acquired a patent for it in May
lead in the development ofaircraft ed down to determine whetherany introduced from China as Kanji with Japanese light balloon proposal to the Army 1900. *An elongated captive balloon having an empen
and saw to their production. of his friends were among the adaptationsthatbecameKanaletters. as an item ofmilitary equipment. Based upon Yamada's design, the nage in the form of gas-filled lobes to keep it
headed into the wind, thus usually deriving
hisLtoikriees,oJtahpearn'nsaftiirosntstalwciotfhfllyoinngg cglroosuept.oItnhesogroduonindga,nhdecrfaleswhedtoion ctoHveyrosgtuo-sshhoijiisscarecenrasfatsnmdafnU5tuhmataadtotoacrsh.es paper attBrayctetdhe altatetenti1o8n00isn, bJaapllaono,ninang mAarmnuyf,acitnurSeeopfttehmebbearllo1o9n00th,abtethgeany ainxcisretaosetdhelifwtifnrdo.mtheinclinationofitslongitudinal
6 JAPANESE AIRCRAFT 1910 1941 PROVISIO TAL MILITARY BALLOO RESEARCH ASSOCIATION 7
first Japanese to fly a rubber and a commemorative monument
powered model aeroplane, on 29 was erected on the site that also
April, 1891. The wings ofhis craft served as the grounds for the 1964
were shaped like those of a crow, Olympic Games in Tokyo.
since as a youth in Ehime Prefec These aerial demonstrations cap
ture, inomiya had tudied the tured public interest and turned
crow's flying characteristics in his attention towards aviation as a
efforts to solve the mysteries of military weapon. The Army estab
flight. After this first success with lished an aviation section and, in
his model, he made an even larger April 1911, an airfield was laid out
model aeroplane with a wing span at Tokorozawa where the Provi
of 3.2m (10ft 6in) powered with a sional Military Balloon Research
clock spring driving a pusher Association was located. TheArmy
propeller. Since it was inspired by purchased a Bleriot monoplane
the shape of an insect called with a 50hp Gnome engine and a
Tamamushi, his craft was given German-madeWrightbiplane,pow
that name. ered by a Wright 30hp engine, and
Because ofits success, Ninomiya Lighter-than-air craft brought about the Grounds because of a hydrogen The first flight ofan aeroplane in japan Armyand theNavyhadtheirsepar Capts Tokugawa and Hino flew
offered the plans ofhisaeroplane to first successful japanese experiments in gas leak. Yamada's second airship took placeon /9 December, /9/0, piloted ate testing units, using the Assoc these aeroplanes before a daily
the Army, with which he was now man-carryingflight in /877. This Yamada was destroyed by an explosion on by Capt Yoshitoshi Tokugawa. The iation's joint findings to advance crowd ofonlookers. Asaresult, the
serving during the Sino-Japanese Airship No.2 was completed in early 23 March, 1911, before its second aeroplane was an imported Henri Farman their own causes. They sent Capt airfield at Tokorozawa became the
War (1894-95). He saw the poten /9// as one of many japanese airship flight, but his third airship made a biplane. Yoshitoshi Tokugawa to France focal point of early aviation devel
experiments.
tial of such a man-carrying flying number of successful demonstra and Capt Kumazo Hino to Germ opment inJapan.
machine as an aerial spotter but his tion flights around the city of at Ueno Park. This was the first any in April 1910 for pilottraining From Tokorozawa, the first
proposal fell upondeafears. Deject Tokyo that same year. In time, this glider flight inJapan.* and to purchase aircraft for each to cross-country flight was made by
ed, on leavingthe Army Ninomiya Japanese thinking about flight. In airship, having served its purpose, bring back toJapan. After learning Capt Tokugawa when on 9 June,
joinedapharmaceuticalcompanyin April 1909, the Englishman Benja was sold to China where it was to fly, Tokugawa brought from 1911, he flew with another officer
Provisional Military
the hope ofsaving enough to build min Hamilton went to Japan to flownonoccasionsovertheHankow France an Henri Farman biplane in the Henri Farman biplane to
his own man-carrying aircraft, but demonstrate his airship. In June of Wuchang area. Balloon Research with a 50hp Gnome engine, while Kawagoe and back in 35 minutes,
upon hearing of the success of the that year, at Tokyo's Ueno Park, Other early flights in Japan in Hino had acquired in Germany a covering 26 miles. On the same
Association
Wright brothers in 1903, he aban he made the first airship flight in cluded the glider flights of Navy Hans Grade monoplane, powered day, Tokugawa again left Tokoro
doned his efforts. Japan, and this strongly influenced LieutShiro Aihara. With theassist Demonstration flights by the by a 24hp Grade engine. zawa with the Blhiot monoplane
As time passed, Lt-Gen Gaishi Isaburo Yamada to design his own anceoftheFrenchMilitaryAttache, Wrights in the UnitedStates,and in In makeshift tents at the Yoyogi but crashed near Kawagoe, making
Nagaoka, former Chief of Staff of airship based on what he had seen 2-Lt Leprieur, who had witnessed France in particular, were being Parade Grounds in Tokyo, assem this the first aircraft accident in
the Ohshima Army Brigade during and learned from Hamilton. Aftera flights in France, they builtaglider publicized throughout the world. blyofthe two machines wasstarted Japan.
the Waf, and who was responsible yearand ahalf, the Yamada Airship using bamboo for thestructure,and A few air-minded people in Japan on 11 December, 1910. Inanticipa At this point in 1911, the Provi
for rejecting Ninomiya's plans, No.1 was completed. This airship made gliding tests with an auto were strongly influenced by these tion, 100,000 spectators flocked to sional Military Balloon Research
made him a public apology, and in had a capacity of 1,600cum mobile as a tug in December 1909 reports, among them General Seiki the parade grounds daily to be on Association(PMBRA) beganbuild
1925 he was officially commended (56,504cuft) and was powered by Terauchi, Minister of the Army. hand for the flights. On 14 ing a series ofheavier-than-air craft
by the Minister of Communica a 14hpautomobile engine. He established within the military December, Capt Hino accidentally oftheirown, thus marking thestart
The first gliding flights in japan wm
tions and awarded a medal ofmerit Duringatestflight on 8Septem structure the Rinji Gunyo Kikyu flew a distance of 100m at a height of the aircraft manufacturing effort
made by this bamboo-frame glider in
by the Teikoku Hiko Kyokai ber, 1910, in Tokyo, the Yamada Kenkyu Kai (Provisional Military of 2m when taxi-ing, but this was in Japan, although most were one
December /909 at Ueno Park, Tokyo, a
(Imperial Flying Association:)* as 0.1 Airship was forced to land at yearinadvanceofthefirst poweredflight Balloon Research Association)t on not recognized as an official flight. of-a-kind, hand-built machines.
Japan's aviation pioneer. In return, the Aoyama Military Parade injapan. 30July, 1909, under the leadership On the morning of 19 Decem The PMBRA did not totally
Ninomiya, who was by then an of Lt-Gen Gaishi Nagaoka. Mem ber, 1910, with a wet battery abandon lighter-than-air technol
executive in the pharmaceutical bers of that Association were strapped to his back for engineigni ogy. RecognizingYamada'ssuccess
company,establishedashrinededi selected from the Army, Navy, tion, Capt Tokugawa started taxi ful airships, they designed an
cated to the development of avi Tokyo Imperial University, and ing his Farman biplane at 7.55. airship and contracted Yamada to
ation inJapan. the Central Meteorological Obser After a run of 30m, the aeroplane fabricate the envelope, and the
Lighter-than-air development vatory, and there were fourteen took to the air, reaching a height of Hiraoka Iron Works to make the
had much to do with influencing members in all. They established 70m. Tokugawa made two circuits gondola. This became the Type I
their work at Tokorozawa, a city of the parade grounds and after Airship and was powered by a
18 miles northwest ofthe centre of about four minutes he landed safely
'TheTeikoku Hiko Kyokai (Imperial Flying
AssoCIatIOn) was formed inJanuary 1913 byCol Tokyo. amid thunderous applause. At 1.30 'AiharawasoneofthreeNavalofficersassignedto
theProvisionalMilitary BalloonResearch Associ
RIkeusreaarrochInAosuseocoiafttihoen.PTrohvisishioandableMenilpitraercyedBedallboyona Despite the name of this Associ that afternoon, Capt Hino flew his ation. Inthiscapacity,hewassenttoGermanyon
similar organization known as the Nihon Koku ation indicating its sole interest to Grade monoplane for one minute 19February,1910,tostudyaeronautics.Whileon
a training night on 4 January, 1911, he was
Kyokai(AviationSocietyofJapan)formedon25 bein lighter-than-airflight, muchof and twenty seconds,afteran engine
November, 1912, under the leadership ofretired its attention was in powered heav problem prevented his making a tlahnrodwinngafnrodmdiethdefraoemropinlajunreiedsufroiunrgdaanysemlateerrg.ency
t avy Lieut-Cdr Onokichi Isobe. To preclude
havlllg two associations devoted to the develop ier-than-air craft, and it was the morning flight as had Tokugawa.
mentofcivilaviation,theycombinedon23April, onlyJapaneseorganizationto direct Thus, that day marked the first tSomesources use the term Provisional Military
1913,.retalllll1g the one name, Imperial Flying BalloonResearchSociety,andotherwordcombin
its efforts towards this new means powered heavier-than-air flights,
Association. FIfSt chairman was Army Lt-Gen ations,innuencedbytheword Kaihavingaliteral
GaishiNagaoka. of flight. In addition, both the bringing modern aviation toJapan, translationofSocietyaswcllasAssociation.