Early Japanese aviation

[Willi Von Klugerman]

What was aviation like pre-WW1?

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour encore Willi!

The first flight by an heavier than air craft in Japan occurred on the 19th of Decmeber, 1910 when an Henri Farman was flown by Tokugawa [surname] Yoshitoshi at the Yoyogi Parade Grounds in Tokyo.

Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941 by Mikesh and Abe offers a brief but detailed history of efforts in Japan to build and fly aircraft prior to The Great War.

Kirk

[Sreiko]

I think that I have put some links much before and there was some very early designs in Japan. Also I have book, all in Japanese, where is presented each airplane type until WW2. If this is interesting I will take a look but to regret I have no scaner to provide previews.

[Willi Von Klugerman]

Actually Sreiko you did,it was a website in Japanese,I just found it.Reason I want to know is so I can have an image of an early Japanese bird and I can use it as a "model" for my new painting.I used the aircraft with the words "Otori" on it.The painting shows the aircraft flying over a Japanese country and a family watching on in curiosity,I also painted a preety sakura (cherry blossom tree) which was fun.I'll have to get a scanner and show this work to you guys.

[Sreiko]

Willy- you paint?! I would really like to see this

Cheers

[Willi Von Klugerman]

Well,yes but Im just a novice at it,starting with water colors.I've just have to get the scanner working and I'll be happy to share my paintings.Im done with my early Japan/aero painting,I think it is by far my best one,still trying to figure out what water color paints would be good for cloud shadows.

[Sreiko]

White with small drop of ochre and off course dash of blue and black very little, depend how dark they have to be.

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Originally Posted by Willi Von Klugerman

I used the aircraft with the words "Otori" on it.

Bonjour encore Willi!

Interesting aircraft ... I believe that there were two aircraft given the name Ōtori: the Narahara No.4 Ohtori-go and the Narahara No.5 Ohtori Nisei-go.

The name which adorned the aircraft was that of Ohtori-go who was a renowned sumo wrestler and was added at the behest of a sponsor of the project.

Narahara Sanji, born in 1876, was an aviation pioneer in Japan who designed and attempted to fly an aircraft in 1910, but, the machine, known as the Narahara No.1 was not sufficiently powered, utilizing a 25hp Anzani engine, and only achieved an altitude of 30cm ... The second aircraft designed, the Narahara No.2 Aeroplane made use of a 50hp Gnome engine and on the 5th of May, 1911, flew about 60m at 4m altitude ... thus being the first Japanese built aeroplane to fly. A third design, yes, the Narahara No.3 Aeroplane was successful as was the Narahara No.4 Aeroplane, the Ohtori-go.

Familial pressure induced Narahara to give up flying and ultimately to cease designing and building aircraft as well, however, not before the aviator was granted a special distinction by the Imperial House.

This information (and quite a bit more as well as two photographs of the Ohtori-go) may be found in the previously mentioned Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941 by Mikesh and Abe.

Salut!
Kirk

[Willi Von Klugerman]

Thanks Sreiko!Its about time I found out what colors to use for cloud shadows!

[Sreiko]

You are welcome Willi. Excellent info Kirk