Author: Ann Lee (Writer & Historian)
Editor：Professor Fang Qiang
English Editor: Michelle X. Li
Abstract
While many people believe that Feng Ru was the father of modern Chinese aviation, there were many other people who had also made outstanding contributions to the aviation industry in China. Wong Tsu, for instance, was one of the talented students who had been sent by the Beiyang Government to MIT and was praised as “the first and best engineer” of the Boeing Company.
After returning back to China in 1917, he helped develop the first seaplane in China. Not only did he found the Chinese aircraft manufacturing plant, but he also established the Chinese Aviation Research Institute that was dedicated to the research and development of various aircraft components. These were some of the greatest contributions he made to the Chinese national aviation industry during the war against Japan.
Introduction
When one thinks about the pioneers of modern Chinese aviation, they would most likely think of Feng Ru, the “father of Chinese aviation”, who sent the first Chinese-made airplane to the sky (January 12, 1883-August 25, 1912).
However, in the history of modern Chinese aviation, there are some great pioneers who are also worthy of our eternal memory and admiration. For example, Zsu Wong and Yuzao Ba were overseas students from the Beiyang period. They both graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States. They had formed an “unbreakable bond” through flying games and aviation. After returning to China, they worked together to develop the first Chinese domestic seaplane.
Unfortunately, Yuzao Ba died young. However, Zsu Wong, who was praised as the “first and best engineer” of Boeing in the United States [9], not only founded the second aircraft manufacturing plant after Nanyuan, but also established the China Aviation Research Institute, and personally participated in the development of a variety of aircraft components, and made outstanding contributions to China’s fight against Japanese fascism.
Zsu Wong’s life, accompanied by the glorious history of the development of Chinese aviation, has been unknown by people for many years, enclosed in the relics of history…
Overseas students sent by the Beiyang Government
After World War I broke out in 1914, the military potential of aircrafts and submarines quickly became apparent. In order to enhance the strength of the Beiyang warlords, Shikai Yuan (September 16, 1859-June 6, 1916), the President of the Republic of China, instructed Guanxiong Liu (June 7, 1861-June 24, 1916), then chief of the Navy, to manage this matter.
In his early years, Guanxiong Liu was admitted to the Fuzhou Arsenal and Naval Academy established by Zuo Zongtang, a promoter of westernization in the late Qing Dynasty. After graduation, Liu went to the Royal Naval College (Greenwich) to study as a Beiyang naval officer. He knew that to build aircrafts and submarines, he must first start with attracting talented individuals. In 1915, the Navy sold a warship ordered in Italy and received more than 300,000 yuan as a training fund to recruit outstanding students to learn flying and submarine technology abroad. 【1】
“Adopt the advanced technology of Western countries to strengthen China” was a phrase many young Chinese eagerly chanted back then!
In August 1909, the first group of 9 students with excellent academic performance were selected to study modern shipbuilding technology in the United Kingdom. They traveled together with Minister Xun Zai of the Qing Government (March 6, 1849-August 16, 1871) and Zhenbing Sa ( March 30, 1859-April 10, 1952), who were going to survey and inspect foreign shipbuilding industries. These students were Yuzao Ba, Zsu Wong, Xiaofeng Wong, Yijing Zeng, Deji Ma, etc. 【2】
Wong, Zsu’s childhood
Source：https://xw.qq.com/partner/vivoscreen/20200704A0RF1W00?ADTAG=&vivoRcdMark=1
Zsu Wong, also known as Tsoo Wong and Yupeng (September 16, 1893-March 4, 1965), was born in Beiping. During the “Gengzi Rebellion” of 1900, the Taiping Rebellion was surging, and his family moved to Pujiqiao Village, Nangong County, Hebei Province. He entered the Nangong County Second Class Primary School. In 1908, Zsu Wong was admitted to Yantai Naval Academy. 【4】
Ba, Yuzao (July 17-1929, 1892)
Source：https://k.sina.com.cn/article_7399284064_1b9081d6000100p2j5.html?from=mil
Yuzao Ba (1892～1929), also known as Yunhua, was a native of Keshiketeng, Inner Mongolia, and his father, Huanting Ba, garrisoned the Eight Banners of Mongolia. Ba was born in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu and studied in Zhenjiang Baqi Middle School since his childhood. 【3】
In the summer of 1910, these students entered the University of Durham in Newcastle of England to study mechanical engineering at the Armstrong Technical College. They received their Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) on June 22, 1915.
In 1915, as World War I continued to spread in Europe, these students were transferred to the United States. Yuzao Ba, Zsu Wong, Weipu Lu, and Xiaofeng Wong entered the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to continue their studies. Yijing Zeng and others entered the “New London Electric Boat Company” to research submarines and engines.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was the first university in the United States (1914) to offer aeronautical engineering majors. Although the course load was very heavy, these diligent students completed all their classes in only nine months. Before graduation, these MIT students did their internships at “Curtiss Aeroplane & Motor Company, Ltd” in Buffalo, New York. In June of 1916, among the 2nd class of graduates from the aeronautical engineering department, four out of five of them were Chinese. 【4】
Zsu Wong was 23 and Yuzao Ba was 24 when they graduated from MIT. They co-authored a master thesis titled “The Air Resistance in Cylinder Combinations” (May 1916) using data obtained from wind tunnel experiments at MIT. 【7】
First Engineer of Boeing Company
They graduated at a politically turbulent time when the President of the Republic of China Shikai Yuan tried to overthrow the Republic and restore the monarchy. After the anti-Yuan’s government campaign led by General Cai, the struggling President Yuan suddenly died. As a result, the financial aid for these overseas students became unavailable. These graduates then tried to get temporary internship opportunities in the United States.
During World War I, the demand for airplanes increased greatly. “Curtis Aircraft and Engine Manufacturing Company” set a weekly production record of more than 100 airplanes, and became the largest airplane manufacturer in the world. After graduation, Yuzao Ba received a job offer from Curis and participated in the design and production of the improved model of Curtis NJ-4. After that, he went to work in General Electric for a period of time.
At the same time, Yuzao’s classmate Zsu Wong met a “Bo Le”, a good judge of talent according to a Chinese legend.
The “Bo Le”was Lieutenant George Westervelt (December 30, 1879-March 15, 1956), a graduate of the first class of Master of Aviation from MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology. George Westervelt and William Boeing (October 1, 1881-September 28, 1956) met at the University of Washington Club and became good friends. 【5】
Westervelt and William Boeing participated in the Los Angeles Flying Festival in January 1910
Source：https://m.k.sohu.com/d/488335019?channelId=1&page=1
The Boeing Company is the largest aircraft manufacturing company in the world, and is also a leader in the aerospace industry. In 1903, the founder, William Boeing, a student majoring in mechanics at Yale University, dropped out of college and took over his father’s timber business in Seattle. He built a hayloft on Lake Union in Seattle, and bought a “Red Barn” originally used to build ships on the Duwamish River. Since he saw a powered aircraft at the “Los Angeles Flying Festival” in California, he had developed a keen interest in the manned “Flying Bird”.
With an unique insight of the military personnel, Westerwirt had an in-depth understanding of the war development in Europe and the demand for pilots. He and Boeing immediately decided to purchase three aircrafts made by the Glenn L. Martin Company, and started a flight school to train pilots. However, the “Martin Airplanes” showed many problems during training. While complaining a lot about the issues, Westervelt also realized that the airplanes could be improved in many ways. Then, the two engineers transformed themselves from “playing airplanes” to “building airplanes.”
Lieutenant Westvelt took full advantage of being stationed in Seattle and jointly developed a copycat version of the “Martin airplane”, the “B&W” aircraft, with Boeing. It was a small dual-float and bi-wing seaplane trainer, using a Curtis OX-5 engine. The plan was named after the first letter of their names, it was also called “Blue Bill” (Bill is William Boeing’s nickname). However, after the prototype was built, the flight test results were still not satisfactory, and the Navy proposed more than 20 improvement suggestions.
The war in Europe was intensifying, in 1916, Lieutenant Westvelt was transferred to Philadelphia in the east coast of the United States to lead the Naval Aircraft Factory. The order for the aircraft had not yet been received, and his partner was leaving! All these put Mr. Boeing in a very desperate situation! He was in urgent need to find a replacement for his partner so that he could continue the development of “B&W”, because he knew that the Navy was expecting a large number of aircrafts to train pilots.
Before leaving, Westervelt recommended his fellow MIT alumnus Zsu Wong to William Boeing. In addition to a strong recommendation from his college supervisor, Professor Jerome Hunsaker, founder of the MIT Aviation Program, (August 26 1886 -September 10, 1984), Wong’s extensive aviation knowledge, his internship experience at “Curtis Aircraft and Engine Manufacturing Company”, and especially his research on aircraft simulation wind power convinced Westervelt that “no other candidate was more qualified than Wong!”
“Engage Chinaman” (call that Chinaman), this was Mr. Boeing’s response. 【5】
Nowadays, “Chinaman” is an insulting name for the Chinese. However, in those old days, it often appeared in daily conversations just like “Englishman” (British), “Frenchman” (French), and “Irishman” (Irishman).
No one will forget the “Chinese Exclusion Act” signed and passed in 1882 by the 21st President Chester Arthur (October 5, 1829 – November 18, 1886). Because of that, there was an anti-Chinese riot in Seattle in 1886. A group of white rioters with the assistance of the police led to the deportation of more than 200 Chinese. Although 20 years had passed since the riot in 1886, the Chinese still felt fearful about “Seattle”.
Before Wang Zhu agreed to work in the “notorious” city of Seattle, he repeatedly requested the company to “guarantee his safety”. Westvelt also specifically asked Boeing to “be kind” to his young fellow MIT alumnus. In June 1916, Zsu Wong, an overseas student selected by the Chinese Beiyang government to the United States, moved to Seattle from Boston and took on the important task as the company’s 1st aeronautical engineer. According to the accounts of the “Boeing Company” at the time, Mr. William Boeing personally promised Wong’s employment contract for one year. 【5】
On July 15, 1916, William Boeing officially established the “Pacific Aviation Products Company” at a price of $100,000. Today’s “Boeing Company” celebrates its establishment on this day as well. “Red Barn” became the birthplace of Boeing aircraft. 【8】
The “Red Barn” where Boeing’s first factory was established in 1916 has now become part of the Seattle Flight Museum.
Source：https://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2005/july/i_history.html
In the early 20th century, the American Wright brothers invented the world’s first powered flying vehicle, which motivated many people to pursue sky exploration. However, as far as the development of the aviation industry, it was still in its infancy. For Zus Wong and Yuzao Ba, “Boeing” and “Curtis Aircraft and Engine Manufacturing Company” provided an excellent platform for them to apply what they had learned in school into real products.
At that time, the “Pacific Aviation Products Company” had just 20+ employees. Zsu Wong was the only one who had a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Therefore, all aeronautical engineering and technical related issues were handled by him.
Once Zsu Wong figured out the design weakness of the original “B&W” aircraft, he proposed a series of improvement ideas. The re-designed aircraft was given a new name “Model C”. He abandoned the original configuration of the “Martin” aircraft and designed a new layout with the upper and lower wings staggered longitudinally, thereby increasing the lifting power. He also eliminated the horizontal stabilizer and replaced it with an integral elevator, thus solving the stability problem with the aircraft control.
The technical improvement proposed by Zsu Wong could build an excellent aircraft that was much superior to the Wright brothers: while flying, if one of the three axes was deflected, the aircraft could still automatically adjust to a stable state. 【5】
After many trials and adjustments, on November 23, 1916, “Model C” reached a maximum speed of 117 kilometers per hour, a cruising speed of about 105 kilometers per hour, a flying altitude of 1981 meters, and a maximum range of 322 kilometers.
The test flight was a great success!
“B&W” Seaplane Replica
Source：http://www.promotex.ca/articles/cawthon/2004/2004-08-23_article.html
On April 26, 1917, William Boeing changed his company name from “Pacific Aviation Products Company” to “Boeing Aircraft Company”.
On July 17, 1917, “Boeing Aircraft Company” won its first order since starting-up!
The U.S. Navy decided to order 50 aircrafts, paying a total of 575,000 U.S. dollars. This amount was simply an astronomical figure for the “Boeing Aircraft Company” that was started less than two years ago. It was also the very first pot of gold that the company needed for continuous development. According to the historical records of “Boeing Aircraft Company”, a total of 56 “Model C” aircrafts were produced. The Navy purchased 50 dual-float and 1 single-float trainer aircrafts, the Army purchased 2, and Boeing kept 1 C-700 for company use along with 2 test prototypes.
The ambitious William Boeing immediately expanded his aircraft manufacturing operation, painting the company’s new name with huge white letters on the roof of the “Red Barn”. The “Boeing Aircraft Company” gained a strong footing and grew steadily, establishing a solid foundation for becoming the world’s most powerful aircraft manufacturing company in the future.
In this regard, Tsu Wong, the first Chinese engineer of the “Boeing Aircraft Company”, deserved all the credits!
Tsu Wong with Boeing C-type seaplane at Union Lake
Source：https://secure.boeingimages.com/archive/Boeing-Model-C-on-Lake-Union-2F3XC5YUT20.html
Some people question Wong’s “Chief Engineer” title and consider him only as “wage earner” in “Boeing Aircraft Company”. After research and verification, Tsu Wong himself also used “Chief Engineer” in the resume. At the beginning of “Boeing Aircraft Company” when there were about 20 employees, Wong was the only aerospace engineering professional in the process of aircraft design and manufacturing. He was fully in charge of all issues related to engineering and technology. 【4】
The stock shares issued by the “Boeing Aircraft Company”
Source：https://m.k.sohu.com/d/488335019?channelId=1&page=1
On March 3, 1919, “Boeing Aircraft Company” featured a very meaningful picture on their publicly issued stock securities. The picture of Mr. William Boeing and pilot Eddie Hubbard was taken after they flew the “Model C-700” seaplane to fetch 60 letters from Vancouver, making it the first transnational air mail delivery in world history. 【19】
It’s hard to tell if Tsu Wong met a “Bo Le” or “Boeing” met an “excellent engineer”?
In the annals of “Boeing Aircraft Company”, there is an article introducing Tsu Wong with the title “The First… and the Best”. In the article, Wong, the designer of “Model C”, was highly praised: 【9】
Chinese-born Tsu Wong was The Boeing Company’s first engineer and helped put the company on a sound footing.
Photographs of Tsu Wong in Seattle when he was the first aeronautical engineer of Boeing Aircraft Company from 1916 to 1917.
Source：https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20160426005268-260405?chdtv
After “Model C” came out, in June 1917, two young graduates from the engineering department of Washington University joined the “Boeing Aircraft Company”. They were Claire Egtvedt and Philip Johnson, who became the CEO of “Boeing Aircraft Company” in later years and took Boeing’s advanced aviation technology into the space age.
They heard China’s Calling
After more than hundred years of development, the American “Boeing Aircraft Company” has become the most dominant player in areas of military and civilian passenger planes, satellites or even rockets, and is known as the world leading aircraft manufacturing industry.
It would have been quite logical that Tsu Wong stayed at the “Boeing Aircraft Company” to continue his favorite research and development of aircrafts and expand to the field of aircraft manufacturing. As a veteran in charge of engineering technology, he could also accumulate a lot of wealth。 In one word, he could have had a very promising future in the United States.
However, as a matter of fact, in July 1917 when the Navy signed a contract with the “Boeing Aircraft Company”, the first engineer Tsu Wong had already left the company (July 1916-April 1917).
Many people didn’t understand why Wong went back to China after he was famed as the 1st engineer at Boeing. Some reports mentioned that his decision to return to China was to protest against “racial discrimination”, such as “the military did not allow him to approach the aircraft…” 【6】
In order to fairly record the modern Chinese aviation history and those aviation pioneers, many people with vision and insight have done a lot of meticulous work, by researching and sorting out historical materials. This work has shown the world a real Tsu Wong.
Among those people there were two great contributors. The first one is Mr. Key Donn, a Chinese-American and a senior computer engineer of Boeing. He was once the president of the Boeing Asian Association, and also an accomplished and responsible aviation engineer. In addition to his own work, he has been tirelessly researching for decades the historical facts and contributions that Tsu Wong had made to the “Boeing Aircraft Company”. He put a lot of effort into promoting the Boeing company and the U.S. local government to recognize Wong’s important role. Another one is Mr. Qinghui Chu, a professor at National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. Over the years, he has devoted tremendous time and passion to compile “Tsu Wong Biography”, which truthfully records the life and achievements of Tsu Wong.
Through their extensive researches, they discovered the true reasons why the first MIT-China aeronautical engineering graduates, such as Tsu Wong and Yuzao Ba, returned to China: These students were passionate about saving the country and eager to serve the country, no money or any other benefits could have kept them staying in the United States.
According to the records verified by Mr. Key Donn, Tsu Wong left Boeing in April 1917 and moved to San Francisco where he worked in a company producing Curtis OX-5 engine for some time to expand his knowledge and acquire new skills. At the same time, he waited for the opportunity to return to China. While he was working on the research and development of Boeing “Model C”, under the direction of the Boeing company he designed aeronautical engineering-related courses for the University of Washington, referencing materials and data of “B&W” and “Model C”. He also built an experimental wind tunnel for the school (the wind tunnel still exists today). From a different aspect, all such work strongly demonstrated Wong’s professional expertise and his contribution to the early aviation education in the United States. 【5】
The bronze statue of Mr. Wong, Tsu in the Boeing Company Museum
Source：https://m.k.sohu.com/d/488335019?channelId=1&page=1
Thanks to Mr. Donn’s unremitting efforts, the “Boeing Company” recognized Tsu Wong’s historical contributions toward the “Model C” aircraft. In the company museum, a special exhibition area was set up for Tsu Wong. The lower part of his memorial bronze statue is engraved with two lines:
Boeing’s Very First Engineer（1916）Designer of Model C（First Boeing Production Airplane）
In 1917, the situation in China was improved and somewhat stable. At that time, General Guanxiong Liu, the commander of the navy who selected the students to study abroad, suggested that the government create a naval aviation force and make its own aircraft and submarines. Yuzao Ba, Tsu Wong, Xiaofeng Wong, Yijing Zeng, and a few more classmates returned to China together in November 1917 after they were notified about the plan. 【5】
Mr. Tsu Wong once wrote: “When we entered the factory, we had a good opportunity…, so in 1917, we felt that we could go back and start up. The idea of building a factory during this period became materialized.” 【6】
The first Chinese-made Seaplane
Mawei is located at the intersection of Wulong River, Bailong River and Qin River on the southeast coast of China. The Westernization Movement in the late Qing Dynasty utilized all national power to develop the military industry. In a short period of time, many military factories were built up, such as Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, Fuzhou Shipbuilding Bureau, Anqing Nei Ordnance Factory, and supporting industries such as Hanyang Iron Factory.
At the beginning of 1918, the Navy Department of the Beiyang Government opened the “Navy Aircraft Engineering Office”, China’s second aircraft manufacturing plant after Beijing Nanyuan, in the Mawei Shipyard of the Fuzhou Ship Administration Bureau. Those overseas students were assigned important roles: Yuzao Ba was appointed as the director, and Tsu Wong, Xiaofeng Wong, and Yijing Zeng served as the deputy director.
The factory had a lot of struggles in its early days, despite that, these young designers, such as Yuzao Ba and Tsu Wong, demonstrated outstanding management and technical skills in the manufacture of seaplanes and the training of aviation engineers. Yuzao Ba and Tsue Wong were in charge of the design and manufacture of the airframe, while Yijing Zeng was responsible for the power of the aircraft. Yijing Zeng was a native of Fuzhou who once worked on aircraft engines at “Curtis Company”, he was also an early aerodynamic expert.
They worked tirelessly in selecting the best technicians and providing them with professional training, screening domestic materials and testing physical properties, and manufacturing aircraft parts using machines from the Bureau of Shipping. Under extremely poor conditions, the Chinese first self-made seaplane “Type A No. 1” was finally completed in August of 1919.
In 1919, Chinese first seaplane (Type A No. 1 water trainer) model
Source：http://blog.sciencenet.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=39356&do=blog&id=27286
“Type A No. 1” had finally come out, then who would fly the first domestically-made aircraft?
In February 1920, Sen Yet Young (September 6, 1893-September 20, 1923), the commander-in-chief of Guangdong Air Force and the director of the Aviation Bureau set up by Sun Yat-sen, stepped forward and successfully conducted the first flight test. However, this U.S. Curtis flight license holder gave a poor evaluation of the aircraft’s performance: “The flying altitude was under thousand feet, and the operation was difficult.” After improvements were made, Sen Yet Young recommended an overseas Chinese pilot Sidu Cai (1884-1970) to perform the 2nd test flight. However, the aircraft unexpectedly fell into the water and the fuselage was damaged due to an operation error. Fortunately, there was no serious injury to the pilot. Yijing Zeng repaired the engine, and all people in the Engineering department worked together and built another plane. The 3rd test flight was successful. 【11】
In 1922, Yuzao Ba and Tsu Wong designed and manufactured the first floating hangar for seaplanes in the world. With the “Floating Dock”, the seaplane parking and repairing problems were solved. The aircraft no longer suffered from wind and rain and it was also protected from sea water. Built upon their earlier success, they later developed a series of new aircrafts such as trainer aircraft, coastal patrol aircraft, and fish bombers. 【12】
In 1922, the ‘Type B No.1″ double submerged water bomber;
In 1924, the “Type D No.1″ dual-wing coastal patrol aircraft with torpedo bombers;
In 1926, the “Type S No.1” dual-float seaplane trainer;
In 1930, the “Type Y No. 1” dual-wing and dual-float seaplane trainer;
In 1931, the Type G No.1″ dual-wing amphibious reconnaissance trainer;
In 1932, the dual-wing amphibious folding trainer;
In 1932, The Jiangyu trainer;
In 1934, the “Type X No. 1” carrier-based dual-layer folding-wing reconnaissance aircraft;
In 1935, the Morse-type amphibious trainer.
Mawei is not only one of the birthplaces of the modern Chinese shipbuilding industry, but also the cradle of its aviation industry. The “Flight and Diving School” established by Yuzao Ba, Tsu Wong and others had trained many talents in aviation design and flying airplanes for China.
In 1929, Yuzao Ba and his long time close friend Tsu Wong visited many countries in Europe to understand the aviation industry there. Traveling during the day while working on the monoplane at night was quite exhausting. After returning home, Ba suddenly fell ill, and the doctor initially thought it was enteritis. However, he was later diagnosed as brain poisoning and unfortunately died at a very young age of 37.
In the 1930s, especially after the “Mukden Incident”on September 18 of 1931, war became imminent to the Chinese people, like a “Sword of Damocles” hanging over their heads. During such turmoil time, the funding for the aircraft design and development was very tight. As a result, these seaplanes designed by the Mawei plant were never put into mass production, and further development was interrupted…
Aviation Experts in the War Time
In September 1928, Tsu Wong was transferred to Shanghai and served as Director of the Aircraft Division of the Kuomintang Naval Command. In September of the following year, he was recalled to Fuzhou Mawei and served as director of the Navy Aircraft Manufacturing Division. In January 1931, the engineering office moved to Shanghai and merged with Jiangnan Shipyard.
This year, Tsu Wong had a new opportunity. Lieutenant George Westvelt, the “Bo Le” who introduced him to Boeing, retired from the US Navy and became the vice president of “Curtis Aircraft and Engine Manufacturing Company”. He knew very well about Wong’s expertise and experience in the aviation manufacturing industry. In addition, they had a lot in common, they were both MIT graduates and both served in the military. Similar to his own career path, Westervelt recommended Wong to become an engineer in “China National Aviation Corporation”.
“China National Aviation Corporation” (CNAC) was abbreviated as “China Airlines”. It was the first Sino-US joint venture airline (the Chinese Ministry of Transportation holds 55% and the American Pan American Airlines holds 45%). It was founded when the world aviation industry was in a booming era, from 1929 to the end of 1949. The chairman of the board was served by the minister or deputy minister of Chinese Ministry of Transportation, while the actual management and operation was run by the American vice chairman. Although “CANC” had only a short history of 20 years, it had accompanied the Republic of China through the most difficult and darkest 14-year of the War of Resistance Against the Japanese, from the day it was established on April 15.【10】
In order to actively prepare to fight against the Japanese invasion, the National Government put the development of China’s military aviation manufacturing industry on its agenda, and it was in urgent need of talents with expertise in aviation. In 1934, Tsu Wong was promoted to the Colonel’s Counselor by the Aviation Administration of the Ministry of Military and Political Affairs. He also served as the supervisor of the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company (CAMCO), a Sino-US joint venture, the highest position on the Chinese side.
The “Central Hangzhou Aircraft Factory”, the “Republic of China Aviation School” known to be the cradle of the Chinese Air Force, and the Jianqiao Air Force Airport, were all located nearby. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, many famous brave Chinese men were from there.
In 1935, Colonel Tsu Wong was sent to Italy to survey and study aviation there, along with Air Force Captain Zhihang Gao, Xi Tian, and Tonggang Sun. In 1938, he went to Moscow to discuss a plan to establish a of China-Russia joint aircraft factory in Xinjiang.
Zsu Wong was in the office of Central Hangzhou Aircraft Factory
Source：https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%8E%8B%E5%8A%A9#/media/File:Jianqiao-camco_Wangzhu.jpg
From the beginning of 1933, the “Central Hangzhou Aircraft Factory” assembled 111 Hawk II and Hawk III fighter-bombers, which became the main fighter jets of the Chinese Air Force in the early days of the War of Resistance Against Japan (1937-1941). On August 14, 1937, the 2nd day of the Battle of Songhu, the Japanese used their air superiority to bomb Hangzhou Jianqiao Air Force Base. The “Zhonghang Factory” was also in great danger, so it’s moved to Wuchang Nanhu Airport on September 3, and then moved to Hankou. In 1938, it finally settled in Loiwing near the border between China and Myanmar, and was renamed “Leiyun Aircraft Factory”. 【14】
This factory was the largest, most advanced, and most productive aircraft manufacturer in China during the war time. It was funded by the Chongqing Kuomintang government. Before it was destroyed by Japanese bombing, from July 1939 to October 1940, in addition to repairing aircrafts damaged in the war, this factory assembled a total of 3 Hawker III biplane fighters, 30 Hawker 75 fighters, 30 Rhine trainers, 5 CW-21 fighters, 29 P-40 fighters, and 3 DC-3 transport aircrafts, 8 modified Branka trainers, 4 Bikraft coast patrol aircrafts, and 1 Sikorsky amphibious aircraft. These aircrafts all served in the frontline of the battlefields in China and Myanmar. Also, a temporary assembly workshop in Yangon assembled P-40 fighters for the Flying Tigers. 【14】
In 1934, after graduating from Shanghai Jiaotong University (December 11, 1911-October 31, 2009), Xuesen Qian was admitted to Tsinghua University’s “Boxer Indemnity Scholarship Program” as one of the 20 public-sponsored students studying in the United States. Every student in this program was required to study under an advisor assigned by the school for one year. Professor Qisun Ye (July 16, 1898-January 13, 1977) appointed three advisors, Changzuo Qian,Tsu Wong, and Shizhuo Wang for Xuesen Qian. All three advisors were graduates of MIT’s Department of Aeronautics, and they were also all Chinese Aviation experts.
Changzuo Qian (1901-1988), the president of the Chinese Society of Aeronautical Engineering, arranged internship opportunities for Xuesen Qian at Hangzhou, Nanjing and Nanchang airports and aircraft repair shops. Later Xuesen Qian returned to Tsinghua University in Beijing to study under professor Shizhuo Wang.
It was said that Xuesen Qian had two “firsts” at the “Central Hangzhou Aircraft Factory”: the first time he saw an aircraft; and the first time he met the famous aircraft designer Colonel Tsu Wong. In Qian’s memoirs, he mentioned 17 seniors who had influenced him profoundly. Among them, “Preparing to study in the United States: Tsu Wong – Experience Design” reminded people of that period again. 【15】
In September 1935, Xuesen Qian went to the United States and studied in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the alma mater of his three advisors in Tsinghua. Qian later became a famous scientist in aerodynamics and systems in China. 【16】
Wong, Tsu and Qian, Xuesen, the “中” at the back of this photo is the “CPAC” symbol
Source：https://xw.qq.com/partner/vivoscreen/20200704A0RF1W00?ADTAG=&vivoRcdMark=1
Due to special needs during the war time, Colonel Tsu Wong made a record of three ins and outs at “CNAC”. He served as an engineer in 1931; as a deputy director of the aviation team in 1945, and then the secretary to the general manager until the company was dissolved in 1950. Later, Changzuo Qian, the Executive Deputy Chief of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, recommended Tsu Wong to Maobai Zhou of Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation, and Wong became Zhou’s consultant. 【4】
Mr. and Mrs. Wong in front of “CNAC”
图源：http://www.cnac.org/wongtsu01.htm
On the “CNAC” historical memorial website, the following message was found:【17】
Col. Wong Tsu was CNAC’s CEO and in the absence of Managing Director P.Y. Wong Col Tsu would assume the position of Managing Director. Also, according to Bond’s book Col. Tsu was also CNAC’s Chief Engineer. See Wings for an Embattled China by W. Langhorne Bond, pages 59 and 175.
On July 7, 1939, the “Aviation Committee” of the National Government established the “China Aviation Research Institute” in Chengdu. The #1 priority of this new organization was to realize the localization of manufacturing aviation components and equipment as soon as possible, which played an unique and important role in the history of modern Chinese science and technology and the history of the War of Resistance Against Japan. [18] Guangrui Huang, deputy director of the “Aviation Commission” (June 5, 1898-August 1985) concurrently served as the director of the new research institute. Although Tsu Wong was the deputy director, he was actually the person in charge. At that time, he was already one of the highest-ranking officials in Chinese aviation manufacturing industry, but he was still always immensely involved in aircraft design. His office did not have a desk, only a long drawing table covered with drawings every day.
During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Japanese army completely blocked the coastal and railway transportation lines in China. All types of material were in short supply. It was extremely difficult to import steel, aluminum and other raw materials and equipment needed for building aircrafts. Because of the material shortage, the Aviation Research Institute re-designed or improved a variety of aviation instruments and equipment. Based on the study of the physical and mechanical properties of various bamboo and wood materials in Southwest China, Wong creatively designed a gliding transport aircraft using a new composite material of bamboo and wood. Except for the landing gear and instruments, all other aircraft components were made of this composite material. It was very light in weight, but could still carry more than 30 fully armed paratroopers and 2 pilots. At that time, Germany had a light assault glider (DFS230) called “Trojan Horse in the Air”, which could only carry up to 9 light armed soldiers and one pilot.
In the “Chinese Academy of Aviation Research”, Tsu Wong won many awards: in 1944 he was awarded the sixth-class Yunhui Medal and the Loyalty Medal; in 1945 he received the A-class Gancheng Medal of the first class, and the A-class Guanghua Medal of the first class; and the fourth class in 1946…Unfortunately, the composite aircraft he designed was not officially put into production. In December 1948, Wong left the mainland for Taiwan. 【4】
On November 9, 1949, the “Two Airlines Incident” occurred, and shocked the international community. The crew members of “China National Aviation Corp.” and “Central Airlines” led by two general managers took 12 passenger and cargo planes to fly north. More than 2,000 employees in overseas offices also announced their loyalty to the Chinese communist government and returned to the mainland one after another. At that time, there were still 71 aircrafts left in Hong Kong from the two airlines. The ROC government urgently ordered Tsu Wong in Taiwan to take over the position of “CNAC” general manager Jingyi Liu (1897～1973), and handle the aftermath… 【13】
Became an Educator
In December 1955, Tsu Wong retired from his government position and became a professor at the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University. He taught a “Aeronautical Engineering I/II” course for senior college students. He was a very low-key person, always walking to school to deliver his lecture. He was well respected by his colleagues and students.
During the nearly ten years of teaching at Chenggong University, Professor Wong published many books, such as “Aircraft Design Manual”, “V-Suffix of Aircraft”, “Aviator’s Weight and Height”, lecture notes on “Engineering Aerodynamics” etc. For many years, he often stayed up late at night for class preparation and academic research, and finally became sick from overwork, and his health gradually deteriorated. On March 4, 1965, Mr. Tsu Wong died of liver disease in Tainan at the age of 73. 【2】
In retrospect, Tsu Wong, Yuzao Ba and other young students went abroad with an ambitious goal of “saving the country by aviation”. They gave up the good life in the United States and returned to the motherland. They were eager to use their accumulated experience to develop Chinese aviation industry, overcoming the poor conditions in China and all the hardships during the war time.
From the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, to the the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, then to his late teaching career in a peaceful time, Mr. Tsu Wong had lived an extraordinary life and made great contributions to the aviation development in both China and the United States. He was one of the important founders of Chinese modern aviation industry.
After years of hard push and strong recommendation by the Chinese Society of Aeronautical Engineers (SCAAE) and the Boeing Association of Asian Pacific Americans (BAAPA), Tsu Wong’s life story was finally introduced into the Seattle “Flight Museum”.
Once placed at Seattle Airport, the Boeing poster “Boeing’s First Engineer”
Provided by Mr. Donn, Key
On January 25, 2016, the 100th anniversary of “Boeing”, the Washington State Assembly passed a Resolution 8693 unanimously in recognition of the first Chinese aeronautical engineer Tsu Wong of “Boeing Aircraft Company”. In the resolution, Wong’s life story was briefly introduced, and the importance of Wong’s “Model C” to Boeing’s great success was also mentioned.
On January 25, 2016, the Washington State Senate passed Resolution 8693. Mr. Donn Key (middle) took a group photo with Senator Bob Hasegawa and representatives of Boeing
Source：https://m.k.sohu.com/d/488335019?channelId=1&page=1
On April 6, 2016, the Washington State Assembly of the United States gifted this resolution to National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.
Once upon a time, he was at the forefront of the world’s aircraft manufacturing industry…
Index
【1】“马尾设厂造飞机的来由”https://kknews.cc/military/6l5mvyp.html
【2】“上海地方志：第一节人物传略*王助” http://www.shtong.gov.cn/dfz_web/DFZ/Info?idnode=68529&tableName=userobject1a&id=66113
【3】“巴玉藻”https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%B7%B4%E7%8E%89%E8%97%BB
【4】漫谈“我国航空先驱–王助”，作者：成功大学机械系褚晴晖教授http://www.me.ncku.edu.tw/tw/sites/default/files/20150907-2.pdf
【5】“帮助波音公司赚取第一桶金的中国人：C型机总工程师王助” https://www.sohu.com/a/424290823_332162
【6】“波音公司首任工程师王助在美行事考” https://share.america.gov/zh-hans/wong/
【7】“China comes to MIT—Aviation Pioneer Tsoo Wong”http://chinacomestomit.org/student-profiles-2#/wong-tsoo/
【8】“Where it all began: Discover Boeing history at an exhibit in the Red Barn” https://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2005/july/i_history.html
【9】“the First … and the Best”
https://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2006/december/ts_sf12.pdf
【10】《王助传记》作者：褚晴辉教授
【11】“关于第一架水上飞机–甲型一号的试飞时间 ”http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4abf844e0100irwc.html
【12】“中国水上飞机发展历程” 同济大学航空与力学学院教授，同济大学飞行器工程研究所所长，博士生导师沈海军博客
http://blog.sciencenet.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=39356&do=blog&id=27286
【13】“两航事件”https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%85%A9%E8%88%AA%E4%BA%8B%E4%BB%B6
【14】“中央杭州飞机制造厂”https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E6%9D%AD%E5%B7%9E%E9%A3%9E%E6%9C%BA%E5%88%B6%E9%80%A0%E5%8E%82
【15】“钱学森：深刻影响我一生的17人，12位是老师” https://new.qq.com/omn/20190910/20190910A0397K00.html
【16】“王助事略（1893-1965）与身后遗德（1991-2009）”
http://www.me.ncku.edu.tw/tw/sites/default/files/20150907-1.pdf
【17】“WONG TSU (1893 – 1965)”http://www.cnac.org/wongtsu01.htm
【18】“抗战时期空军航空研究院科研工作之研究”作者：傅海辉博士 https://xueshu.baidu.com/usercenter/paper/show?paperid=f6682d78f7299f69dd56948fa2005c54
【19】事实上，美籍华裔飞行家谭根于1913年就开启了在夏威夷群岛之间的航空邮件传递。参见“Tom Gunn Chinese American Aviator by Pacific Aviation” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52GqNQbggzA
