“Life in the Army” series, Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) parade field fly-over, c. 1914, by a flight of four Farman MF.7 biplanes and one Nieuport VI-M — the total IJAAS force.
See also:
First Airplane Flight in Japan, Yoyogi Parade Ground, Tokyo, 1910.
Nieuport IV at Tokorozawa Airfield, c. 1913.
“Life in the Navy” postcard series, c. 1930.
“When the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) was newly formed in 1912, its initial aircraft were limited to a handful of early imported models used exclusively for basic training of future flight instructors. The first aircraft were manufactured in and shipped from France, the global aviation leader at that time.
“The first squadron of the IJAAS was formed from a pair of Henri Farman biplanes, a basic pusher aircraft flown widely in Europe at the time, purchased by the Japanese government. Three Marice Farman biplanes marked subsequent purchases for the IJAAS. These aircraft were stationed at Japan’s sole air military field, Tokorozawa Airfield, Japan’s first airbase northwest of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, which became the center for all early pilot flight and reconnaissance training, and for aviation experimentation. A formal military flight school would be established at Tokorozawa in 1919.
“Japan gradually expanded this fleet as it began producing domestic versions and learning from international aviation advancements, especially from France. During World War I, in 1914, the IJAAS bombed the coastal German colony of Tsingtao for the Allies (by right of treaty with Great Britain).
“Parade ground of Kurume”, c. 1915. A Farman MF.11 biplane of the type the IJAAS would fly beginning in 1915.
“The Farman aircraft used in the conflict circled over Tsingtao, taking reconnaissance photos and gathering data on German fortifications for I.J.N. naval operations against the targets. The Japanese airmen also conducted light bombing raids, among the first attempts ever made in the war by any air arm, with some success. Tsingtao would be captured by the Imperial Japanese Army in November, 1914.
“After the war, Japan began working with European aviation firms and imported more advanced models. French influence remained strong, with aircraft like the Salmson 2 and later the Nieuport-Delage NiD 29 becoming central to Japan’s new aerial squadrons.
“Domestic manufacturers, Nakajima Aircraft Company and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, began producing licensed versions of these foreign designs — and reverse-engineering war trophy German aircraft — which not only significantly expanded Japan’s air fleet in number by the late 1920s but which also allowed Japanese designers and manufacturers, still being advised by British oyatoi [contract foreign adviser], to keep apace of technological advances.”
– Wikipedia
