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Takeo Doi (aircraft designer)
Encyclopedia
was a Japan
ese aircraft designer.
He designed many World War II
fighter
aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. His most important work was the , aka Kawasaki Ki-61
("flying swallow") or "Tony".
Also he was one of the chief designers of the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
(NAMC) YS-11
.
, Yamagata prefecture
, Japan in 1904.
He graduated from the Yamagata Higher School
in 1924, and Department of Aeronautics
, Faculty of Engineering
, Tokyo Imperial University in 1927
.
Jiro Horikoshi
and Hidemasa Kimura, who designed the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter and the Koken
(Tokyo Imperial University Aeronautical Research Institute) Long-range Research-plane, respectively, were his classmates at the department in the university.
In 1927, he started his career in Aircraft Department of Kawasaki Dockyard Company Limited (Kobe
, Japan), which later became Kawasaki Aircraft Company Limited in 1937. These are the predecessors of present Kawasaki Heavy Industries Aerospace Company
reorganized in 1969.
At that time, Dr. Richard Vogt
was also working for the Kawasaki Dockyard Company Limited, Kobe
(1923 - 1933). The company invited Vogt from Germany as a technical advisor to teach its engineers in the construction techniques of Dornier
aircraft which Kawasaki was building under license. As a chief designer, Vogt trained new-face engineer Doi to be his successor. They worked jointly on several aircraft projects, including the (KDA-5 Army Type 92 biplane fighter, KDA-2 Army Type 88 reconnaissance
biplane, KDA-3 single-seat fighter, and KDA-5 Army Type 92-I biplane fighter).
During this period, Doi was dispatched to Europe
, where he worked for one and a half years.
In Europe, he studied the art of aircraft engineering in the field of airplane industry.
When Doi was in the United Kingdom
, he paid attention to the technology of George Dowty
, founder of Dowty Aviation
.
As Dowty's technology in aviation hydraulic systems was state-of-the-art and met the requirement of the Japanese military, Doi chose his product as the landing gear
of Type 92-I biplane fighter.
This decision helped Dowty to develop his company, Dowty Aviation, and became a milestone for the expansion of the Dowty Equipment group thereafter.
By strange coincidence, Dowty Rotol
, descendant of the company, was the supplier of NAMC YS-11
propeller
.
After Vogt returned to Germany, Doi became the key person in the design bureau of Kawasaki Aircraft until the company ceased operations at the end of World War II
His most important and outstanding work was the design of Army Type 3 Fighter Kawasaki Ki-61
"Hien".
Ki-61 Hien demonstrated surprising performance that surpassed the famous Mitsubishi A6M Zero, World War II
fighter equipped by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
.
A total of 3,159 Ki-61 Hien and its variants were built.
As mentioned above, designer of A6M Zero was Jiro Horikoshi
, a classmate of Doi at university.
After WWII, Doi was forced to interrupt work on aircraft design until the Treaty of San Francisco
came into force in 1952. During this period, he worked as a day laborer, while continuing to have faith that he would eventually return to aviation field.
He continued to study the latest technology with Kimura who was fired the professor of University of Tokyo
.
Kimura was Doi's best friend.
When the treaty lifted the ban on designing and operating aircraft, Doi returned to his original work.
In 1956 the Ministry of International Trade and Industry
of Japan announced a domestic production plan of middle-sized commercial aircraft, i.e. the YS-11.
The consortium of companies, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
(NAMC), was established. NAMC included Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
, and Fuji Heavy Industries
, Shinmeiwa Manufacturing
, Japan Aircraft, Showa Aircraft, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries
(Kawasaki Aircraft). Doi was nominated the chief designer of equipment team.
Doi assumed the professor to Meijo University
after he retired Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
He also serve on a councilor of the Japan Society for Aeronautical Science, a trustee of Japan Aeronautic Association, and an advisor emeritus of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Details of his philosophy on aircraft design were written in his memoirs, regarding the designing policy, developmental history of the aviation technology, and his friends, published in Japan in 1989.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese aircraft designer.
He designed many World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. His most important work was the , aka Kawasaki Ki-61
Kawasaki Ki-61
The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien was a Japanese World War II fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force...
("flying swallow") or "Tony".
Also he was one of the chief designers of the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
The Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation , or NAMC, was the manufacturer of Japan's only successful civilian airliner, the YS-11.- History :...
(NAMC) YS-11
NAMC YS-11
The NAMC YS-11 is a turboprop airliner built by a Japanese consortium, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The program was initiated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1954, the aircraft was rolled out in 1962, and production ceased in 1974.-Development and design:In...
.
Biography
Takeo Doi was born in Yamagata cityYamagata, Yamagata
is the capital city of Yamagata Prefecture in Japan.As of July 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 253,951 with 97,457 households and a population density of 665.94 persons per km². The total area is 381.34 km². The city was founded on April 1, 1889.-Culture:The , one of Tōhoku's...
, Yamagata prefecture
Yamagata Prefecture
-Fruit:Yamagata Prefecture is the largest producer of cherries and pears in Japan. A large quantity of other kinds of fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches, melons, persimmons and watermelons are also produced.- Demographics :...
, Japan in 1904.
He graduated from the Yamagata Higher School
Yamagata University
is a national university located in the Japanese cities of Yamagata, Yonezawa and Tsuruoka in Yamagata Prefecture.The university was established in 1949 but its origin can be traced back to the , a public teacher-training institution, founded in 1878 in Yamagata City.The university also has other...
in 1924, and Department of Aeronautics
Aeronautics
Aeronautics is the science involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of airflight-capable machines, or the techniques of operating aircraft and rocketry within the atmosphere...
, Faculty of Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, Tokyo Imperial University in 1927
.
Jiro Horikoshi
Jiro Horikoshi
was the chief engineer behind many Japanese fighters of WWII. Most notable of such was the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter.He was born near the city of Fujioka, Gunma Prefecture, Japan....
and Hidemasa Kimura, who designed the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter and the Koken
Gasuden Koken
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Mikesh, Robert C. and Shorzoe Abe. Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-840-2.* Nakamura, Akemi. Retrieved 24 July 2009.-External links:*...
(Tokyo Imperial University Aeronautical Research Institute) Long-range Research-plane, respectively, were his classmates at the department in the university.
In 1927, he started his career in Aircraft Department of Kawasaki Dockyard Company Limited (Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, Japan), which later became Kawasaki Aircraft Company Limited in 1937. These are the predecessors of present Kawasaki Heavy Industries Aerospace Company
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Aerospace Company
is the aerospace division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It produces aircraft, space systems, simulators, jet engines, missiles, and electronic equipment.-Pre-war genesis:...
reorganized in 1969.
At that time, Dr. Richard Vogt
Richard Vogt (aircraft designer)
Richard Vogt was a German engineer and aircraft designer.He is well known as a designer of unique warplanes, including an asymmetrically-shaped reconnaissance aircraft and a nuclear-powered bomber, during and after World War II.- Biography :Richard Vogt was born in Schwäbisch Gmünd, a town in the...
was also working for the Kawasaki Dockyard Company Limited, Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
(1923 - 1933). The company invited Vogt from Germany as a technical advisor to teach its engineers in the construction techniques of Dornier
Dornier Flugzeugwerke
Dornier Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer founded in Friedrichshafen in 1914 by Claudius Dornier. Over the course of its long lifespan, the company produced many notable designs for both the civil and military markets.-History:...
aircraft which Kawasaki was building under license. As a chief designer, Vogt trained new-face engineer Doi to be his successor. They worked jointly on several aircraft projects, including the (KDA-5 Army Type 92 biplane fighter, KDA-2 Army Type 88 reconnaissance
Surveillance aircraft
A surveillance aircraft is an aircraft used for surveillance — collecting information over time. They are operated by military forces and other government agencies in roles such as intelligence gathering, battlefield surveillance, airspace surveillance, observation , border patrol and fishery...
biplane, KDA-3 single-seat fighter, and KDA-5 Army Type 92-I biplane fighter).
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, where he worked for one and a half years.
In Europe, he studied the art of aircraft engineering in the field of airplane industry.
When Doi was in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, he paid attention to the technology of George Dowty
George Dowty
-Early life:Dowty was born in Pershore, Worcestershire in 1901. He was sent to the Royal Grammar School Worcester after losing his right eye at the age of 12 playing around making a firework....
, founder of Dowty Aviation
Dowty Rotol
Dowty Rotol is a British engineering company based in Cheltenham specialised in the manufacture of propellers and propeller components. It is owned by General Electric, forming part of its GE Aviation Systems division.-History:...
.
As Dowty's technology in aviation hydraulic systems was state-of-the-art and met the requirement of the Japanese military, Doi chose his product as the landing gear
Landing Gear
Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
of Type 92-I biplane fighter.
This decision helped Dowty to develop his company, Dowty Aviation, and became a milestone for the expansion of the Dowty Equipment group thereafter.
By strange coincidence, Dowty Rotol
Dowty Rotol
Dowty Rotol is a British engineering company based in Cheltenham specialised in the manufacture of propellers and propeller components. It is owned by General Electric, forming part of its GE Aviation Systems division.-History:...
, descendant of the company, was the supplier of NAMC YS-11
NAMC YS-11
The NAMC YS-11 is a turboprop airliner built by a Japanese consortium, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The program was initiated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1954, the aircraft was rolled out in 1962, and production ceased in 1974.-Development and design:In...
propeller
Propeller (aircraft)
Aircraft propellers or airscrews convert rotary motion from piston engines or turboprops to provide propulsive force. They may be fixed or variable pitch. Early aircraft propellers were carved by hand from solid or laminated wood with later propellers being constructed from metal...
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
His most important and outstanding work was the design of Army Type 3 Fighter Kawasaki Ki-61
Kawasaki Ki-61
The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien was a Japanese World War II fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force...
"Hien".
Ki-61 Hien demonstrated surprising performance that surpassed the famous Mitsubishi A6M Zero, World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fighter equipped by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service was the air arm of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, the organization was responsible for the operation of naval aircraft and the conduct of aerial warfare in the Pacific War.It was controlled by the Navy Staff of the Imperial Japanese Navy and...
.
A total of 3,159 Ki-61 Hien and its variants were built.
As mentioned above, designer of A6M Zero was Jiro Horikoshi
Jiro Horikoshi
was the chief engineer behind many Japanese fighters of WWII. Most notable of such was the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter.He was born near the city of Fujioka, Gunma Prefecture, Japan....
, a classmate of Doi at university.
Treaty of San Francisco
The Treaty of Peace with Japan , between Japan and part of the Allied Powers, was officially signed by 48 nations on September 8, 1951, at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California...
came into force in 1952. During this period, he worked as a day laborer, while continuing to have faith that he would eventually return to aviation field.
He continued to study the latest technology with Kimura who was fired the professor of University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
.
Kimura was Doi's best friend.
When the treaty lifted the ban on designing and operating aircraft, Doi returned to his original work.
In 1956 the Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Ministry of International Trade and Industry
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry was one of the most powerful agencies of the Government of Japan. At the height of its influence, it effectively ran much of Japanese industrial policy, funding research and directing investment...
of Japan announced a domestic production plan of middle-sized commercial aircraft, i.e. the YS-11.
The consortium of companies, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
The Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation , or NAMC, was the manufacturer of Japan's only successful civilian airliner, the YS-11.- History :...
(NAMC), was established. NAMC included Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
, or MHI, is a Japanese company. It is one of the core companies of Mitsubishi Group.-History:In 1870 Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi took a lease of Government-owned Nagasaki Shipyard. He named it Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, and started the shipbuilding business on a full scale...
, and Fuji Heavy Industries
Fuji Heavy Industries
, or FHI, is a Japanese transportation conglomerate most known for being the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles. It traces its roots to the Nakajima Aircraft Company, a leading supplier of airplanes to the Japanese government during World War II...
, Shinmeiwa Manufacturing
Kawanishi Aircraft Company
was a Japanese aircraft manufacturer during World War II. It was founded as Kawanishi Engineering Works in 1920 in Hyōgo Prefecture as an outgrowth of the Kawanishi conglomerate, which had been funding the Nakajima Aircraft Company. Kawanishi Kokuki KK was founded in 1928, and took over all assets...
, Japan Aircraft, Showa Aircraft, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
(Kawasaki Aircraft). Doi was nominated the chief designer of equipment team.
Doi assumed the professor to Meijo University
Meijo University
is a private university in Japan. Its main campus is in Tempaku-ku, Nagoya, Aichi and it has a satellite campus in Kani, Gifu.- History :The name Meijō derives itself from the abbreviated kanji form of ....
after he retired Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
He also serve on a councilor of the Japan Society for Aeronautical Science, a trustee of Japan Aeronautic Association, and an advisor emeritus of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Details of his philosophy on aircraft design were written in his memoirs, regarding the designing policy, developmental history of the aviation technology, and his friends, published in Japan in 1989.
Aircraft of his design
- Kawasaki Ki-10Kawasaki Ki-10|-See also:-External links:* *...
(Army Type 95 Fighter) - Kawasaki Ki-45Kawasaki Ki-45The Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu was a two-seat, twin-engine fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. The army gave it the designation "Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter"; the Allied reporting name was "Nick"....
"Toryu" (Army Type 2 Two-seat Fighter) - Kawasaki Ki-48Kawasaki Ki-48The Kawasaki Ki-48, 九九式双発軽爆撃機 'Sokei', Army Type 99 Twin-engined Light Bomber, was a Japanese twin-engine light bomber that was used during World War II. Its Allied reporting name was "Lily".-Development:...
(Army Type 99 Bomber) - Kawasaki Ki-56Kawasaki Ki-56|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company, 1970 . ISBN 0-370-30251-6....
(Army Type 1 Transport Aircraft) - Kawasaki Ki-61Kawasaki Ki-61The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien was a Japanese World War II fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force...
"Hien" (Army Type 3 Fighter) - Kawasaki Ki-100Kawasaki Ki-100The Kawasaki Ki-100 was a fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. The Japanese Army designation was "Type 5 Fighter"...
(Army Type 5 Fighter) - NAMC YS-11NAMC YS-11The NAMC YS-11 is a turboprop airliner built by a Japanese consortium, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The program was initiated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1954, the aircraft was rolled out in 1962, and production ceased in 1974.-Development and design:In...
- Kawasaki P-2JKawasaki P-2J|-See also:-References:* Sullivan, Jim, P2V Neptune in action. Squadron/Signal Publications: Carrollton, TX, 1985.-External links:* * http://p2vneptune.com* http://www.maam.org/neptune/p2_1.html...
(customized LockheedLockheed CorporationThe Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
P-2 NeptuneP-2 NeptuneThe Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the Lockheed P-3 Orion...
, anti-submarine warfareAnti-submarine warfareAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
aircraft) - and more
Writings
- 航空機設計50年の回想 ("Fifty Years Recollections on Aircraft Design") by Takeo Doi (Kantosha, October 1989), ISBN 978-4873570143
- 軍用機開発物語 ("Story of Warplane Development") by Takeo Doi (Kojinsha, August 2007), ISBN 978-4769823346