A trio of Yokosho I-go Ko-gata seaplanes of the Japan Air Transport Research Association (NKYK) on the shoreline at Sakai (Osaka) at the opening in 1922 of the Osaka - Tokushima route. From the left they are J-TOCI, J-TOFL and J-TOXB, formerly used as Naval seaplane trainers and known in civilian service as "Chidori-go" ("Plover").

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Yokosuka Navy Yokosho Igo-Kogata (I-Ko) - ЯпонияJapan - 1920

Yokosho I-go Ko-gata seaplane J-TURY of NKYK overturned and broken by a typhoon in March 1925, presumably at the company's base at Osaka.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Yokosuka Navy Yokosho Igo-Kogata (I-Ko) - ЯпонияJapan - 1920

Other results of the same typhoon on the NKYK fleet. The upper photo shows I-go Ko-gata J-TAOO which was also destroyed. In the lower photo another of the type, J-TOFL "Chidori No.2", lies beneath an overturned flying boat. This looks so much like the Itoh Emi 31 but with a military roundel, that we may have discovered the final fate of J-TIRU - but see also notes on J-TOUA.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Itoh Emi 31 - ЯпонияJapan - 1922Yokosuka Navy Yokosho Igo-Kogata (I-Ko) - ЯпонияJapan - 1920

An unidentified Yokosho Ro-go Kogata floatplane runs ashore. Several civil examples appear below in early airline use.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Yokosuka Navy Yokosho Ro-go Ko-gata Reconnaissance Seaplane - ЯпонияJapan - 1918

The Itoh Emi 24 "Akita-go" Long-Range Biplane J-TIPS as originally fitted with a 320 hp Maybach airship engine and side radiators. It was nose heavy and offered poor forward vision for the pilot, so the radiators were replaced by a single unit between the undercarriage legs. It would appear from the evidence of the Register entry that it was later re-engined with a 200 hp Hall-Scott and used as a private aeroplane.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Itoh Emi 24 Akita-Go - ЯпонияJapan - 1921

The revised radiator layout of the Itoh Emi 24 "Akita-go" clearly shows how the pilot's forward view would have been improved by placing the unit below the fuselage. The aircraft's name was in recognition of funding from sponsors in the Akita Prefecture of Japan.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Itoh Emi 24 Akita-Go - ЯпонияJapan - 1921

The Itoh Emi 22 J-TIQT was painted black with the name "Yamagata Kinen-go" along the fuselage. This name was applied in memory of the young pilot Toyotaro Yamagata who was killed in the crash of the Itoh Emi 14 on 27.8.20.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Itoh Emi 22 Yamagata Kinen-Go - ЯпонияJapan - 1922

The same aircraft from a more frontal viewpoint, emphasising the size of the 400hp Liberty engine, then the most powerful in Japan. To improve visibility the pilot's seat was on the port side of the large single cockpit with the second seat behind and to starboard.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Itoh Emi 22 Yamagata Kinen-Go - ЯпонияJapan - 1922

Based on the Curtiss Seagull hull, the Itoh Emi 31 three-passenger flying boat J-TIRU was intended for the NKYK - Japan Air Transport Research Association, of Osaka. This company, set up by Choichi Inoue, operated ex-Navy Yokosho seaplanes and the Itoh Emi 31 would have been a more realistic option for passenger services.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Itoh Emi 31 - ЯпонияJapan - 1922

A head-on view of the Itoh Emi 31 J-TIRU taxying. The engineer is standing in the cockpit with arms raised!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Itoh Emi 31 - ЯпонияJapan - 1922