Itoh Emi 14
| Industry | Aviation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
The Itoh Emi 14 was a Japanese biplane developed in 1920 specifically to compete in a long-distance race from Tokyo to Osaka and back, a contest it ultimately won. Later that summer, it also achieved success in another competition before experiencing structural failure during aerobatic maneuvers weeks afterward.
Design and development
Inspired by the 1920 reports of flights from Italy to Japan, the Imperial Flying Association initiated a long-distance contest for Japanese-built aircraft: a nonstop round trip between Tokyo and Osaka, covering over . Four manufacturers submitted designs; however, only the Nakajama Type 7 and the Itoh Emi 14 were fully prepared in time for the race.[1]
One critical design consideration was ensuring the aircraft could take off with a full fuel load from the short runway at Susaki. To reduce induced drag, Inagaki opted for wings with an unusually high aspect ratio of eight. Aside from this, the Emi 14 was a conventional two-bay biplane featuring rectangular wings supported by vertical, parallel interplane struts and two pairs of short cabane struts connecting the upper wing to the fuselage longerons. Only the upper wing carried overhung ailerons.[1]
The aircraft was powered by a Gorham engine enclosed in a tapered cowling that left the upper half exposed. Its radiator was flat, narrow, and mounted vertically behind the engine's port side. Initially designed with two open cockpits and flown from the rear seat, the forward cockpit was converted into additional fuel storage for extended flight duration. A small cut-out at the trailing edge enhanced upward visibility. The tailplane was positioned atop the fuselage, complemented by a triangular fin and a rounded rudder.[1]
The fixed undercarriage featured a single axle supported by V-struts attached to the lower fuselage longerons. During takeoff for the contest, instead of using a traditional tailskid, a wheeled dolly lifted the tail; this dolly was discarded once airborne.[1]
Operational history
By 21 April 1920—the designated date for the competition—the Emi 14 was completed and ready. Both it and the Nakajama Type 7, piloted by Kintaro Iinuma, successfully took off. However, Iinuma encountered dense fog, became disoriented, and crashed into Mount Tanzawa, sustaining serious injuries but surviving. Toyotaro Yamagata piloted the Emi 14 to complete the circuit in 6 hours and 43 minutes, achieving an average speed of . This accomplishment represented a major milestone in Japan’s aviation development. The Itoh Aeroplane Research Studio received a prize of 5000 yen, while Yamagata earned an equivalent sum plus an additional monthly stipend of 600 yen for three years; unfortunately, he did not survive long enough to benefit fully.[1]
On 2–3 August 1920, Yamagata flew the Emi 14 in another Imperial Flying Association event over a course between Funabashi and Chiba, approximately apart. The Emi 14 secured first prize for speed at and second prize for altitude at , accumulating total winnings of 8000 yen.[1]
At August’s end, during loop practice ahead of an exhibition, one wing detached from Yamagata’s Emi 14, resulting in a fatal accident. No additional units of the Emi 14 were manufactured.[1]