The Hitachi TR.1 was a small airliner developed in Japan in 1938, produced in small numbers as the TR.2. It was a low-wing, cantilever monoplane with retractable tailwheel undercarriage and a fully enclosed cabin. The design strongly resembled the Airspeed Envoy that it was intended to replace in Japanese airline service. Testing of the TR.1 prototype commenced on 8 April 1938 at Haneda Airport, but it suffered a serious accident on 22 June due to a landing in which one of the main undercarriage units failed to extend.

The TR.2 was a revised and strengthened design with a larger wing area, and main undercarriage that only semi-retracted. Twelve examples were built in a small series, but performance was not as good as the TR.1, since the modifications to the design had added 260 kg (570 lb) to the aircraft.

Specifications (TR.1)

Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910–1941^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 6 passengers
• Length: 10.60 m (34 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 14.10 m (46 ft 3 in)
• Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) (to top of radio mast)
• Wing area: 24.5 m² (264 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,910 kg (4,211 lb)
• Gross weight: 3,000 kg (6,614 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Gasuden Jimpu 5A nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 180 kW (240 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 303 km/h (188 mph, 163 kn)
• Cruise speed: 251 km/h (156 mph, 136 kn)
• Range: 1,516 km (942 mi, 819 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 4,380 m (14,370 ft)
• Time to altitude: 14 min 47 s to 3,000 m (9,800 ft)

References

• Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft 1910–1941. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-840-2.
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing. p. 2174.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 511.