05/31/2022. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The development of a high-performance medium passenger transport as a feeder liner was undertaken by Gasuden as a private venture in 1937. According to unofficial Japanese Aviation Bureau information, it was intended as a replacement for the Mitsubishi Hinazuru medium passenger transport that was developed from the Airspeed Envoy. This was the TR-1, TR standing for Chugata (Tyu-gata) Ryokaku-ki, meaning medium passenger transport. The company was able to produce this all-metal aircraft because it had gained experience with the manufacture of the Kokenki Long-range Research Aircraft, and Gasuden's chief designer Akira Murayama applied his Kokenki experience to the TR-1.

Design features were quite advanced for that period in Japanese aircraft development. Specifications for the new design were:

- Similar power and payload to that of the Airspeed Envoy, more than 186 mph (300 kmh) maximum speed, and
--------932 mls (1,500 kmh) range.
- Two 240 hp Gasuden Jimpu 5A nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, driving Sumitomo two-bladed fixed-pitch
--------metal propellers.
- All-metal construction with fabric covered control surfaces.
- Wing flaps of large area and simple operating mechanism. Ailerons were also to operate as flaps.
- Manually operated retractable landing gear to ensure reliability.
- Pneumatically operated flaps, wheel brakes and fuel dump valve.
- Narrow elliptical fuselage cross-section to reduce drag, hence the two pilots were seated in tandem with dual
--------control. Navigation and radio equipment were to be located in the rear co-pilot's position.
- Passenger seats were staggered to allow maximum seat width in the narrow fuselage. Standard seating was four,
--------increasable to six.
- Large windows to provide good cabin lighting and visibility for passengers. Lavatory located in the rear of the cabin.
- Cargo stowage in the nose (66 lb, 30 kg), under the wing center section of the fuselage and in the rear fuselage
--------(132 lb, 60kg each).
- Conversion capability to be offered for aerial survey/ observation, ambulance and crew training.

Registered J-DAAH, the eventually sole aircraft was flown by Uichi Suwa at Haneda on April 8, 1938. The aircraft was found to have stability and control problems but these were corrected by increasing the area of the vertical tail surfaces. While under test, an agreement was reached whereby this aircraft would be delivered to the Taiwan Kokubo Gikai (Taiwan National Defense Volunteer Association) and it was called Taiwan Giyu Gakko Niitatago, meaning Taiwan Volunteers School, Niitata (Niitata being the highest mountain in Taiwan).

While being flight tested by Hideo Muramatsu on June 22, 1938, the port landing gear failed to lower. After burning off fuel for about two hours, an emergency landing was made with the port landing gear still retracted. After repairs to the damaged structure, the aircraft was shipped from Kobe to Taiwan. While en route an accident on board the ship caused further damage and the aircraft was returned to the Gasuden Factory where it lingered indefinitely.

Gasuden TR-2 (J-DAAJ) (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

To replace the badly damaged TR-1, the almost similar TR-2 was built. Compared to the TR-1, its wing span was slightly longer, giving it greater wing area. The helmeted cowling used on the TR-1 was replaced by a smooth contoured NACA cowling. The mainwheels protruded slightly from the nacelle when retracted to permit a safer landing in the event of landing gear failure, as had happened with the TR-1. It was completed in October 1940, registered J-DAAJ, and named Taiwan Giyu Gakko No.2.

In late November 1940, the aircraft was fitted with ferry tanks, and flown from Haneda to Taiwan by Hideo Muramatsu for safe delivery. Although there were some shortcomings with the aircraft, it was considered a practical medium-size passenger transport. With increase in weight due to design changes, performance was somewhat inferior to that of the TR-1."