R.Mikesh, A.Shorzoe Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 (Putnam)

Ozaki

   Yukiteru Ozaki was of the class of wealthy and influential Japanese who could devote his time and resources to aviation. Born the third son of Yukio 'Gakudo' Ozaki, a noted politician and a member of the Diet from Mie Prefecture, he was privileged in that he could train with and graduate from the Army's first pilot training class at the request of the Imperial Flying
Association.
   When Syun Wen, the leader of the revolutionary army of the Republic of China, purchased a Christofferson biplane from the United States, and requested the Imperial Flying Association to assemble it in Japan, Ozaki made the test flights at the Joto Military Grounds in Osaka. It was then delivered to the Chinese in August 1916.


Ozaki Tractor Biplane

   With this aviation experience and influence, Ozaki used a hangar of the PMBRA at Tokorozawa and designed and built a light private aeroplane under guidance of Army Lt Morikichi Sakamoto. The aeroplane was powered by an 80hp Shimazu-Le Rhone engine which Narazo Shimazu had just won as first prize at the Japanese-made aero-engine contest sponsored by the Imperial Flying Association. The building of this aeroplane was undertaken by the Association's chief engineer Toriumi almost in parallel with the Ozaki Soga-go Aeroplane yet to be described. Design work was begun in July 1916 and the aeroplane was completed in March 1917.
   To simplify the aeroplane's transport by rail, the fuselage could be separated at mid-point. As a two-seat aircraft, it was expected to be able to fly for 40mins, but with only a pilot, and added fuel in the front cockpit, it could fly for 3hr at a maximum speed estimated to be 66kt (76mph).
   In August 1917 when His Imperial Highness Prince Takehiko Yamashina visited Tokorozawa, Ozaki attempted to fl y the aeroplane for the first time, but a broken axle prevented take off. Seemingly, no further attempts were made, for the aeroplane was stored for a while at his father's home. It was later purchased by supporters of the anti-communist Russian Capt Semiyonov, who attempted to invade Siberia early in 1920. Ozaki accompanied the aeroplane to Siberia, but when the attempted invasion failed, he returned home with the engine only, which he sold to the Itoh Aeroplane Research Studio.

   Single-engine biplane trainer. Wooden frame structure with fabric covering. Wing with RAF 6 aerofoil. Instructor and pupil in single open cockpits.
   80hp Shimazu-Le Rhone nine cylinder air-cooled rotary engine, driving a two-bladed wooden propeller.
   Span, upper 10m (32ft 9 1/2in), lower 8m (26ft 3in); length 6.50m (21 ft 4in); wing area 27sq m (290.63sq ft).
   Loaded weight 570kg (1,256Ib).
   Maximum speed 66kt (76mph); climb to 2,000m (6,562ft) in 10min; normal endurance 40min, 3hr as single-seater with added fuel.
   One built in March 1917.