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

Takasou TN-6 Aeroplane

   The Hall-Scott engine, damaged while installed in the Takasou No.5 Aeroplane, was repaired by the Nakajima Machinery Manufacturing Works, managed by Ikusaburo Nakajima (no relation to the aeroplane manufacturer). After repairs, it was rated at 65hp and ran continuously for 8 hours in tests at the Oka Secondary School in Osaka.
   Takasou built a new biplane of a tractor design in which he installed this rebuilt engine. He called this the TN-6, using the T of his name and N for Nakajima. With the help of his assistants, Yonezawa and Fukuda, and apprentice Harada, the aeroplane was completed in the autumn of 1917. Using features found in Morane-Saulnier and Martin-Wright designs, the fuselage could be separated at midpoint by four bolts for ease of transport by rail.
   Takasou used this aeroplane for flying training at Osaka Joto Military Grounds but, because of a landing accident, this lasted only a month. After repairs, the aeroplane was sold to Soujiro Yasui of Kyoto in August 1918. Following this transaction, the aeroplane was frequently modified, so altering its appearance that it was renamed the Yasui TN-6 Kai Aeroplane. Takasou gave flying instruction to Yasui at Kagamigahara, after which Takasou returned to the United States, this time to buy automobiles and begin a new business venture. (see Yasui TN-6 Kai Aeroplane.)

   Single-engine tractor biplane. Wooden structure with fabric covering and metal engine cowling. Pilot in open cockpit.
   65hp Hall-Scott eight-cylinder vee water-cooled engine, driving a two-bladed wooden propeller.
   Span 11.20m (36ft 9in); length 7.90m (25ft 11in); wing area 28.5sq m (306.78sq ft).
   Empty weight 610kg (1,345Ib). Maximum speed 53kt (61mph).
   One built in 1917.


Yasui Flying Research Studio (Yasui Hiko Kenkyusho)

   Soujiro Yasui of Uonotana-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, was from a family famous for very high quality Nishijin Kimonos. He purchased the TN-6 Tractor from Takayuki Takasou in August 1918, and began flying training with his friend and assistant Fukuda, while using the aeroplane at Kagamigahara, north of Nagoya, being instructed by Takayuki Takasou, the builder of the aeroplane.


Yasui TN-6 Kai Aeroplane

   This was an attractive biplane but accidents were frequent with it to the point that with each repair changes were made to its design and appearance. Because of these changes which were generally innovated by Yasui, he renamed the aeroplane the Yasui TN-6 Kai Aeroplane (kai meaning modified).
   Major modifications included entirely new wings with equal span, the addition of a second seat, and a newly designed vertical fin. A sheet aluminium cowling enclosed the original 65hp Hall-Scott engine.
   For a civil aeroplane of the period, the TN-6 survived for a long time, mainly because of careful maintenance of the engine and airframe. On 3 January, 1920, Yasui made a New Year celebration flight over his home in Kyoto from the Fukakusa Military Parade Grounds, and over Osaka the following new year, both major events for those that watched. During these years he gave flying lessons to several students with this aeroplane as well as with the Yasui No.3 Aeroplane that he later built.

   Single-engine tractor biplane. Wooden structure with fabric covering. Pupil and instructor in open cockpits.
   65hp Hall-Scott eight-cylinder vee water-cooled engine, driving a two-bladed wooden propeller.
   Span 11.50m (37ft 8 1/4in); length 9.50m (31 ft 2in).
   Empty weight 590kg (1,300lb).
   One built in 1917, modified in 1918-1919.