Author: Ann Lee (Writer & Historian)
Editor：Professor Fang Qiang
English Editor: Michelle X. Li
Abstract
In the history of aviation development in the early-20th century, Tom Gunn was one of the greatest Chinese aviation pioneers. He was the very first Chinese individual who achieved the “FAI – Fédération Aéronautique Internationale” license. He not only created a new type of hydroaeroplane, but also won the international award.
In order to revitalize Chinese aviation industry, American-born Tom Gunn crossed a long journey to China to follow Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolution to overthrow the feudal warlords.
Introduction
In the history of Sino-American aviation development during the early 20th century, there were several Chinese aviation pioneers who were as famous as aviator Ru Feng, and Tom Gunn was one of them.
He was the first Chinese to obtain an international aviation flight license and participated in many flight shows in the United States. Regarding the “Curtis” aircraft, he not only designed several new structure seaplanes, but also represented China in the “1910 International Aviation Meet” held at Los Angeles, earning the name of the “Wright of China.”
In order to revitalize Chinese aviation industry, the American-born Tom Gunn traveled to China and held several flight demonstrations in Guangdong and Southeast Asia. Following the revolutionist Dr. Sun Yat-sen, he fought bravely in the fight to overthrow the feudal warlords, and was appointed Captain of the Guangdong Air Force. Unfortunately, he died of internal bleeding caused by a traffic accident…
First Chinese built the Seaplane
Tom Gunn, formerly known as Degen Tan, was born on October 13, 1890 in San Francisco, California, as a 2nd generation of Chinese Americans. His family came from Daxiang Township, Kaiping, Guangdong. Like most people of his father’s generation, those Chinese laborers were attracted to California by brokers for gold rush or building railways. Tom Gunn grew up in a poor family.
When Tom Gunn was five years old, he was shocked, just like the entire world, by the great news: The Wright Brothers successfully flew into the sky!
Tom Gunn was a very smart boy and loved to learn. He was full of curiosity about many things in his childhood. He enjoyed the Chinese legends about Chang’e flying to the moon, Kuafu chasing the sun, etc. The news that the Wright Brothers finally flew into the sky made him extremely excited!
Tom yearned to fly. He entered the California Oakland Institute of Technology (also known as Central High School) to study mechanics. He was energetic, eloquent, and witty, and worked tirelessly to study flight technology. He also went to several machinery factories as an apprentice. After work, he studied aviation theory and aircraft manufacturing methodology by himself. At the same high school, he and Fuyuan Lin, who later became a pioneer in aviation, met and became like-minded friends.
When Tom got to know that Ru Feng, a compatriot from Guangdong, was studying and developing aircraft in Oakland, he immediately realized: “This is an excellent opportunity to learn aircraft manufacturing.” Thus, two young people with a keen interest in aviation got in touch, and he humbly asked Feng for advice. 【1】
In 1909, in Piedmont (CA), a small city near Oakland, Ru Feng piloted the “Ru Feng No. 1”, a powered aircraft he made himself, and finally succeeded in his test flight!
That year, Tom Gunn was twenty years old.
The development of aircraft progressed very rapidly, and just like the Wright brothers predicted: “the era of an aircraft has come! “【2】
During this time, the public’s enthusiasm on aircraft was just as great as people’s enthusiasm today on the launch of the recoverable and reusable rockets created by the science and technology genius Elon Musk.
Tom Gunn couldn’t sit still and wait anymore!
In his youth, Gunn Tom had great ambitions
Source：https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120812934/duck-gunn-tom
In 1910, he began to work as an assistant to an American pilot. After being recommended and receiving some funding from relatives and friends, Tom went to Eaton’s aerospace labs in Los Angeles to study aviation theory and aircraft construction technology. Within only seven weeks, Tom completed the training on systemic aviation theory and aircraft construction technology, forming a solid foundation for future manufacturing of seaplanes and improving flight reliability. Tom Gunn was the school’s 10th diploma recipient. 【4】
During the early days of the aircraft era, the biplane could only travel a short distance and had many issues. It was almost impossible to fly over the vast ocean. Therefore, an aircraft that could take off and land on water was a viable option. Tom Gunn was deeply influenced by the famous American aviation pioneer and aircraft designer Glenn Curtis. The novel seaplane was very attractive to him. With the support of overseas Chinese, Tom tried to design and build seaplanes by himself.
The so-called Hydro-Aeroplane (aka Seaplane) is an aircraft that can take off, land and park on the water. Some amphibious aircraft can also take off and land at the airports. According to the shape of the fuselage, seaplanes are divided into float planes and flying boats. Two slender pontoons are installed on the lower part of the pontoon fuselage. The pontoons are the “landing gear” of the seaplane. The fuselage above the pontoons is not much different from that of a conventional aircraft. And there are usually pontoons under the wing of the hull type to maintain the lateral stability on the water surface. But the outstanding feature of the hull seaplane is that the fuselage is designed into a “boat shape”, which is convenient for surface take-off and landing, mooring, and buoyancy. 【5】
In July 1910, Tom Gunn successfully built a seaplane with a new structure based on the Curtis F model: the engine was installed on the airnose. This plane won a medal at the “1910 International Aviation Meet” held in Los Angeles. At that time, only the United States, Britain, France and Germany were able to invent and make airplanes, but Tom’s self-made seaplane won the competition. The media exclaimed him as the “Chinese Wright” and “the first Chinese to design seaplanes.” 【3】
Tom Guun Seaplane Reference Data:
Type: Biplane single-engine piston seaplane
Crew: 2
Dimensions: Wingspan 13.80 meters, aircraft length 8.50 meters, aircraft height 3.65 meters
Weight: The maximum take-off weight was about 798 kg
Powerplant: Hall Scott (Hall Scott), power about 80 horsepower
Performance: The maximum speed was 90 km/h, the climbing height was 360 meters
In 1910, Chen Duxiu reported in his “New Youth” magazine:
“At the ‘1910 International Aviation Meet’, the attendees included Britain, France, Germany and the United States. The representative for Asia was Tom Gunn of China. He took his self-made seaplane to the competition and won first place. At that time, among those powerful countries, only Britain, France, Germany, and the United States could invent the seaplane. But Tom Gunn won 1st place. European and American newspapers said that Tom Gunn was the first person in Chinese aviation and should be the leader of this field.” 【27】
At the end of 1911, Tom Gunn enrolled at the Glenn Curtiss School of Aviation in San Diego to continue flying. Seven months later, he graduated and received his pilot’s license on June 19, 1912 (International Aviation Federation No. 131 Pilot License and California Flight Association No. 15 License).
Tom Gunn, the first Chinese-American to obtain an international pilot’s license in the United States.
Source：https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Tom_Gunn.jpg/470px-Tom_Gunn.jpg
Tom Gunn was not only the second Chinese to make an aircraft fly in the United States after Ru Feng, but also the first Chinese to obtain an American aviation pilot’s license. 【6】
The postcard issued for the Tom, Gunn Air Show
Source：http://warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/tom-gunn-exhibit-pacific-aviation-museum.html
On February 19, 1912, Emeryville, a city near Berkeley, California, was holding a grand flying competition. Participants came from all over the United States. Some notable participants included “Birdman”, the aviation stunt pilot Lincoln Beachey; the “youngest licensed pilot” Farnum Fish who received aerial photography at the age of 15; and several pilots trained by the Wright brothers, such as Philip Parmelee, who won several world aviation “first” records prior to this competition.
Tom Gunn was the only person of Chinese descent among the 12 participants, and this was also his first time participating in such a large-scale flying competition. Some of the well-known pilots who participated in the competition had also instructed him. 【8】
Thousands of spectators flocked to the scene from everywhere to watch this exciting air show. There were nearly two thousand Chinese from the cities around San Francisco in attendance. Drummers played loudly, creating a very lively atmosphere.
Even when facing such strong competitors, the young Tom Gunn was not afraid. Amidst the cheers, he flew into the blue sky… Suddenly, a violent gust of wind hit him, and the huge wings were swayed by the wind. He relied on his superb courage and piloting skills to hover in the air for 6 minutes and finally landed safely, winning cheers from everyone.
On the 4th day of the competition, an unexpected accident occurred. The engine of Tom Gunn’s plane suddenly stalled in the air and fell to the ground from a height of 150 feet. The rudder hit the fence on the side of the competition field and was severely damaged. Tom Gunn was rushed to the Oakland Central Hospital. Fortunately, the doctors were able to save his life, but he suffered multiple bruises, dislocated jaw and bruised eyes.
The “San Francisco Reviewer” reported: “Tom Gunn fell from a height of more than a hundred feet and did not die. It was incredible!” 【10】
In April of that same year, he signed up to participate in an air show held in San Diego. The participants of this air show were even more skilled with distinct qualifications. They were world leaders in the aviation field, and their aircraft performance was also better. Tom Gunn flew 3 to 4 thousand feet into the air, defeating the best. He exhibited various flying maneuvers in the air, until the fuel almost ran out, and then he calmly flew to a safe landing. Because of his stellar performance, he was awarded a silver trophy by Curtis. 【11】
Tom Gunn with famous American aircraft builders and pilots Curtis
Source: https://www.sohu.com/a/212148121_115926
The “San Francisco Call” and other newspapers from the United States reported that Tom Gunn successfully flew his own plane seven times above the Alameda Airport on August 4, 1912. During one of the seven trips, he was accompanied by General Tienwei Lan, the expatriate governor of the Republic of China. General Lan highly praised Tom’s superb flying skills at more than 300 public shows, and offered to invite Tom to China to build a flying team. 【14】
Alameda, August 4. General Tienwei Lan of the Republic of China became the first military personnel who ventured into the air. This afternoon, at a local airport, he boarded a biplane. Tom Gunn, who skillfully controlled the aircraft, was a fearless Chinese birdman who had won many flying competitions. The flight lasted for 10 minutes in the air. During this time, Tom took his passenger circling above the airport multiple times, extending westward to Webster Street.
That same day, the three children of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the leader of China’s “1911 Revolution”, also came to watch. 【13】
For Tom Gunn, who was born in the United States and spoke fluent English, this was an excellent opportunity for him to chase his dreams and realize his ambition: fly for freedom. He was eager to introduce airplanes and aviation technology to China.
San Francisco Born Chinese to Be Constructor Of Airships for New Republic
Source：“Signal Honor For Flyer”，《The San Francisco Call》， 2 December 1912.
In 1913, Tom was invited to design an aircraft for the “China Spaceship Company” established by the American General Branch of the China League in Honolulu. Not only did he successfully test flights, he also trained pilots. 【12】
From the start of designing his first seaplane to 1913, in just a few years, Tom Gunn had built six different types of aircrafts. He had carried out more than 800 flights between the Hawaiian Islands and carried more than 300 passengers. For the residents of Hawaii, it was really an unprecedented event. 【19】
The reporter asked Tom after the show: “Why do you like to fly a plane made by yourself?”
His answer was simple: “I know better about the machines I made.” 【7】
From then on, Tom had become really famous and established his pivotal position in the field of seaplane manufacture and aviation in the United States.
The Choice between “Love” and “Mission”
In May 1913, Tom and Miss Lily Tong, the daughter of a wealthy businessman in Oakland, were engaged in Honolulu. She grew up in the United States and met Tom at Oakland Polytechnic High School six years ago. She was also the sister of Qiongchang Tang, a former Chinese congressman. Her beauty and wealth attracted many young men, however, only the aviator Tom Gunn won her love at first sight. 【20】
Tom had held several flight shows at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu and had been famous for quite some time. In the morning of their engagement ceremony, his friends fantasized how unique an aeroplane wedding would be if Tom took his bride to the sky.
Aeroplane Wedding Suggested: Tom to Take Bride to Sky
Source：https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29533388/aeroplane-wedding-suggested-tom-gunn/
Even the love between the newly-engaged couple couldn’t stop Tom Gunn’s yearning for the sky, and the revolutionary upsurge on the other side of the ocean attracted him even more. One month after his engagement, he went to China alone at the invitation of the Chinese government to open an aviation school there. 【9】
On June 25, 1913, many newspapers and magazines in the United States published a report titled “Chinese Airman Gives Up Love for Duty; To Return, THO, For Lilly Tong”:
San Francisco, June 25 – Tom D. Gunn, the Chinese aviator, has sailed away for Shanghai, leaving his heart behind him in the possession of Miss Lilly Tong, one of the belles of the local Chinese colony.
With Gunn it was the old story of standing between love and duty. He hated to leave Lilly, but the Republic of China had asked him to establish in Shanghai a government military flying school. So he sailed away, promising his bride-to-be that he would return and claim her at the end of eight months.
Surrounded by a group of beautiful girls, Tom boarded the “Liner Wilhelmina” destined for Shanghai. With the sound of the sirens, he turned and waved goodbye to everyone. Tom was the idol of his time and was admired by his country-women, and Miss Lili Tong became the most envied girl in Chinatown.
Chinese Airman Gives Up Love for Duty
Source：https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29533388/aeroplane-wedding-suggested-tom-gunn/
“I have no fear concerning Tom,” the pretty Lili told reporters, although her eyes were full of tears, “I am confident that he will do well because I know what he can do. And someday I hope I will fly with him in the air.”
Before heading to the land of his parents, Tom passionately told reporters, “I am bringing with me a biplane, a flying boat and a military tractor.” His goal was to establish a government-sponsored flight school in China. Since the new republic had already intended to go into aviation, Tom believed that China would soon be ranked with other countries in aviation.
Unfortunately, his grand vision was disillusioned when the ocean liner arrived in Honolulu! Tom Guun received a telegram from the revolutionary army, instructing him to stay at Honolulu for a while because of the domestic turmoil in China. 【11】
With the support of the American General Branch of the Chinese League, on July 13, 1913, at the Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Tom once again demonstrated his extraordinary aerial control ability as a “birdman”. Amid the cheers of more than 7,000 spectators, he not only flew several times, but also took a few passengers into the sky.
Tom Gunn won the award at the 1910 Los Angeles International Aviation Performance, holding his trophy and national flags of China and US.
Source：“Aviation Meet Will be Magnet for thousands”,《Maui News》, Sat., Oct. 18, 1913 p.1
A hundred years ago, thousands of spectators in Hawaii were impressed by his calm demeanor and superb flying skills. They considered Tom as an outstanding pilot, and his flight performance represented the growing aviation industry.
In the following days, Tom transported his seaplane to the waters near the Port of Honolulu. After the test flight on October 2, Tom announced that he would fly passengers at a price of $25 per person. Mrs. Newman, a local resident of Honolulu, volunteered to participate. Hovering over the port for 15 minutes, she became the first paying passenger in Hawaii. 【19】
This flight started commercial air travel in Hawaii. In addition, Tom Gunn hoped that the pilots he trained would go to China in the future to be instructors at Chinese aviation schools.
News Report on Tom Gunn holding another flight show in Maui
Source：《Maui News》, Sat. January 3, 1914 p.1
Then Tom Gunn came to Maui. Amidst the enthusiastic cheers of more than 4,000 spectators, Tom calmly flew into the air. Among those intensively looking up at the sky, this was their first time seeing such a legendary airplane for more than 99% of the people, not to mention all the aerial stunts. It was not an exaggeration to say that “the whole town came to watch the air show, leaving all the alleys empty”. Sponsored by the Hawaiian “Nippu Jiji” and the Chinese Sports Federation, in January 1914, Tom held another air show at Pearl Harbor. Before the performance, he also emphatically explained to the audience how to control the aircraft on the water and in the air. 【22】
Tom Gunn planned to finalize his seaplane and took it to the Hawaiian Islands as soon as possible. Flights from Honolulu to Maui and Kahului were also ready, as such, the travel time between the islands was only about an hour.
Aerial postcard invented by Tom Ggunn
Source：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52GqNQbggzA
“Garden Island”, established in 1902, was a widely circulated newspaper in the Hawaiian Islands. On January 6, 1914, it used a large amount of space reporting in detail the famous “Chinese Birdman” Tom Gunn in the American aviation industry. It also announced that the thrilling flying boat carnival would be held on the Koloa Plain on Kauai next to Honolulu and an event site accommodating about 10,000 spectators was under construction. The article also specifically mentioned that “Tom is the only Chinese member in the American Aviation Club that only accepts outstanding pilots… In San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other cities, Tom also gave some of the most famous flight shows. He held an important position in the air shows, and always won praise from the audiences.” 【23】
Joining the Revolutionary Army for Chinese Revitalization
After the air show of Hawaiian Islands, Tom Guun finally arrived in China. However, the political situation in China had completely “changed”!
Sun Yat-sen, the leader of the “Revolution of 1911”, launched his “Second Revolution” against Yuan Shikai after Yuan banned Kuomintang and dissolved the National Assembly. However, the “Second Revolution” failed and Sun was forced to flee to Japan.
Worried that Tom Gunn might lead the air force to bomb the Presidential Palace in Beijing, Yuan Shikai, as it was rumored, offered a reward of 5,000 yuan for Tom’s head. However, Tom was not scared at all, instead, he sneered: “This reward is too little for my head.” 【20】
The turmoil of the Chinese political situation forced Tom Gunn to put aside his plan of establishing a flight school in China. He moved to the Philippines and held lucrative air shows there. He also introduced the concept of air mail, built a new plane in Manila, and started the first flight school in the Far East. 【21】
Afterward, he went to Tokyo to meet Sun Yat-sen and proposed a series of ideas and suggestions about flying teams. Dr. Sun appreciated Tom’s inputs greatly and considered him the much-needed talent for the future development of the Revolutionary Army. Then, Dr. Sun urged him to serve as the captain of the Chinese Revolutionary Army’s once they returned to China.
On November 8th, the third year of the Republic of China (1914), the founding father Sun Yat-sen posted in a group photo when establishing the aviation school in Tokyo, Japan. From the left, Tom Gunn, Chuanxian Dai (Jitao Dai), Sun Yat-sen, Chongmin Xia, Yingshi Chen (Qimei Chen ) (photographed by Maruki Photo Studio, in Shibazakura, Tokyo)
Source：1947《Chinese Air Force》 Vol. 105 cover
In the next year, aviator Tom Gunn was invited to hold flight demonstrations in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. On August 3, 1915, Hong Kong’s “Hua Zi Daily” published such news:
“Tom Gunn is a pioneer in Chinese aviation, and also a great aviator in the world. It is indeed the first time that a Chinese will fly an airplane in Hong Kong…He brings glory to the motherland and the Chinese people… From now on, more Chinese people will be interested in studying aviation, which will have a profound impact on the future of civilization…”
In 1915, Guangzhou was hit hard by the worst flood in two hundred years. Heavy rains fell continuously in the Pearl River area and many victims were displaced. To raise funds for disaster relief, Tom held a special flying stunt in Hong Kong. Almost all the gentlemen and ladies in Hong Kong came to watch the air show, some brave female fans even flew with him up to the sky. At that time, it was only a decade or so after the emergence of airplanes. Tom’s flight performances were a huge attraction to many people, and donations were poured in enthusiastically. Chinese American Tom Gunn became a “hero” and praised by everyone. 【15】
At the beginning of November 1915, Tom performed the first flight show in Shazhou Guangdong. The “Military Affairs Magazine” (1915 Volume 12: “Mr. Tom Gunn Flying Skills”), “Zhejiang Military Affairs Magazine” (1916 31st Issue: “Chinese aviator Mr. Tom Gunn performing seaplanes in Zhaoqing”), and “Tongwenbao” (August 29, 1916: “Chinese Pilots’ Trivia”) all reported on his air shows. Earlier, from August 7th to 8th, he held an air show at Sha Tin Lulu, New Territories, Hong Kong. Through his exhibition air shows, the Hong Kong English newspaper “China Mail” even foresaw the dawn of air travel:
“Tom Gunn’s flight performance showed us the great potential of traveling by plane.”
At the end of 1915, the President of the Republic of China, Yuan Shikai, publicly restored the monarchy. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, following General Cai E who started the National Protection Movement in Yunnan, issued the “Declaration of War Against Yuan.” Dr. Sun was also actively preparing for an aviation school and invited Tom to serve on the school administration. Dr. Sun also wanted Tom Gunn to hold air shows in Nanyang and raise funds there.
At that time, Tom had already accepted the invitation from the Guangdong warlord Long Jiguang to serve as the director of the flight department of the “Guangdong Aviation School” preparatory office. The plan to go to Nanyang had to be temporarily paused. There were also articles mentioning that the warlord Long Jiguang was following Yuan Shikai’s instructions to invite Tom to carry on assassination plans after he took office, but Tom discovered this plot. 【11】
Guangdong declared its independence in 1916. Tom was appointed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen as the captain of the “Guangdong National Defenders”. He also made a special trip to purchase two pieces of aircraft expansion equipment from the Philippines. Then, he joined the war against the Guangdong warlord Long Jiguang and participated in the battle attacking Hainan Island.
The American-born Chinese aviator Tom Gunn appeared in “Youth Magazine” on February 15, 1916, and became the magazine’s sixth cover figure. His flight performance not only caused a sensation throughout the world, but also had a huge influence on the press. 【15】
Finally in 1916, Tom Gunn’s fiancée Lili Tong arrived in Hong Kong from San Francisco. At 4 pm on May 16, 1916, the young couple who had been separated by the revolution for many years held a grand wedding at St. Paul’s Church in Hong Kong. Two lovers finally married with the promise of pursuing happiness together. Fuyuan Lin, the trapeze man who went to China with Tom Gunn, was one of his best men. 【24】
Inspired by Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s mantra of “save the country with aviation”, Guangdong had successively established an aviation bureau and an aviation school. In 1920, in order to expand the military, Tom was sent to the United States to purchase aircrafts and parts. In the article “The Chinese Air Force is on its way to buy aircrafts in the United States,” ” The Honolulu Star” reported that 27-year-old Tom, the general manager of the aviation department of Guangzhou, accompanied by his wife, took a Japanese liner to the United States. This article also disclosed that the Guangdong Government had recently allocated US $250,000 in gold to purchase aviation auxiliary equipment for Guangzhou Airport. The young airman would meet and negotiate with American aircraft manufacturers, especially the Curtis Aircraft Manufacturing Company. 【16】
Tom Gunn urged the U.S. government and business community to put aside their arrogance, establish friendly trade relations with China, and truly understand the needs of the Chinese aviation industry. He also warned that the business opportunities might be seized by the United Kingdom or Japan if the US didn’t act. Prior to the Republic, the British “Vickers-Maxim” company signed a $10,000,00 aviation contract with the Beiyang government. But Tom Gunn and Fuyuan Lin discovered that those British airplanes were simply piles of waste that were not only shoddy, but also assembled using outdated airplanes that were already eliminated in World War I. Thanks to their persistent request, the contract was eventually cancelled, which taught the unethical British businessmen a lesson. 【17】
In the 1920s, flight was still in its early stages in China. In order to protect their own interests, following the footsteps of Northeast and Guangdong provinces, regional warlords in Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and even Hunan all established their own flight teams.
However, in the beginning of the 20th century, Chinese domestic politics were very unpredictable with frequent regime changes. Since he set his feet on Chinese land, the American-born Tom Gunn had witnessed bureaucratic corruption, rampant banditry, and felt a sentiment of loss. Warlords and civil unrest stagnated the development of commercial aviation, and it became increasingly difficult for him to achieve his aviation dream. He gradually drifted away from politics and turned to business…
While in the United States for more than four months, Tom visited many places and showed great business sense and capability of handling various issues. In July of 1920, he brought back to China 18 new airplanes with support and maintenance services, 8 American aviation experts, 6 Kentucky pure-bred horses, and 4 well-trained police dogs… He was still looking forward to creating a commercial airline in China. 【18】
Since 1910, Tom had set a record of 2,668 flights. He also injured himself several times. One of his most severe injuries occurred when he was performing an air show in Guangdong in 1916, resulting in several broken ribs. Since then, he had been bothered by the pain. 【18】
Regarding his unexpected death, there are many divergent suspicions and explanations, but no way to confirm their authenticity.
Many articles mentioned that he died in a strange rickshaw accident in Shanghai on January 13, 1925. It was even speculated that his death might have been a premeditated assassination, because for many years he had been the target of many forces who were waiting for an opportunity to assassinate him. 【11】
However, when the author was writing this article about Tom Gunn, Mr. Zhongze Li from Dartmouth College of the United States got hold of Ms. Rebecca Peterson while assisting in researching historical materials about Tom Gunn. Ms. Peterson enthusiastically provided a lot of materials about Tom Gunn, including his death certificate issued by the US Consulate General in Shanghai.
Date of Birth: October 13, 1890
Date/Time of Death: 11:30 PM, January 13, 1925
Cause of death:
Primary: Aneuriema aortal abdominals;
Secondary: inflammation of the surrounding rupture
Accompanied by relatives or friends as follows: Lilian Ethel Tom Gunn (wife), and Tom D. Sunn (brother).
Burial location: Shanghai Jing’an Temple Road Cemetery, also known as “Bubbling Well Cemetery” 【25】
(Note by the author: In the twenty-fourth year of Guangxu, 1898, the Public Concession Bureau of Industry built this cemetery, commonly known as the “foreign cemetery”. In the 1950s, the cemetery was destroyed and turned into Jing’an Park.)
It can be determined that Tom Gunn did not die of murder, but rather, the impact of a traffic accident caused a potential aneurysm to rupture and hemorrhage, which may be related to his injuries in multiple flight accidents. At the memorial service held at the Wanguo Funeral Home, his good friends Fuyuan Lin and his wife appeared on the list of flower contributors. Many people mourned the death of a talented young Chinese pilot.
In this photo from the American Pacific Aviation Museum exhibits, the aviation pioneer Tom Gunn is holding the Chinese and American flags.
Source：http://warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/tom-gunn-exhibit-pacific-aviation-museum.html
In 2013, the exhibition commemorating the life of Pacific Aviation Pioneer and Chinese American Tom Gunn was grandly opened at the Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor. In addition to Tom’s relatives, there were guests from all over the world. The participants deeply cherished the memory of this well-deserved aviation legend. 【26】
Tom Gunn, born in the United States and a descendant of a young Chinese immigrant from a poor Chinese family, had always dreamed of flying. Through unremitting efforts, he became a pioneer in the aviation industry in China, the United States and Southeast Asia. He made outstanding contributions to the aviation industry, especially to the early development of seaplanes. His achievements not only made him a pioneer in controlling aircraft, but also opened the most magnificent chapter in the early development of human aviation.
From the day that he began to transport passengers between the Hawaiian Islands and deliver airmail services, his relentless efforts and explorations triggered a wave of world air travel and airmail. The development of passenger seaplanes opened up long-range routes one after another, as people flew over mountains and vast oceans, connecting the world together.
Tom Gunn was also a brave warrior who participated in the revolution that overthrew the feudal warlord’s authoritarian regime. As a pioneer of the Chinese aviation industry, he served as the captain of the aircraft team of the Chinese Revolutionary Army, prepared to build the Guangdong Aviation School, fought bravely against feudal remnants, and trained many pilots for the development of the Republic of China. He soared in the sky for the realization of a generation’s ideal democratic republic.
Acknowledgement
Many thanks to Mr. Zhongze Li from Dartmouth College of the United States for providing a large number of historical newspapers and photos and for participating in the review of this article! At the same time, thank you to Ms. Rebecca Peterson for providing relevant historical materials. According to the copyright law of the United States, there are no copyright restrictions on the public publications before 1925.
Index
【1】“谭根水上飞机”https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E8%B0%AD%E6%A0%B9%E6%B0%B4%E4%B8%8A%E9%A3%9E%E6%9C%BA
【2】“Aviation in the Pioneer Era” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_in_the_pioneer_era
【3】1916《青年杂志》第1卷第6期68-69页 大飞行家谭根（附照片）
【4】中国近代航空工业史（1909-1949）“谭根”， 中国航空工业史编修办公室
【5】“Seaplane”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaplane
【6】“Tom Gunn Chinese American Aviator by Pacific Aviation” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52GqNQbggzA
【7】“Beachy Makes Dazzling Flights With Hands Removed From Wheel” The San Francisco Examiner. 19 February 1912.
【8】“Birdmen in Spectacular Flights” San Francisco Chronicle. 19 February 1912.
【9】“Tom Gunn Will Take Bride On Return Home” Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 20 June 1913.
【10】“Chinese Aviator Smashes His Plane Into Building”. “The San Francisco Examiner”， 23 February 1912. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
【11】《时光飞逝》“Time Flies: The Biography of Art Lym”,加拿大女作家 Patti Gully著，张朝阳译
【12】“容嵩光：最早的同盟会会员” http://www.xhgmw.com/html/xiezhen/renwu/2014/0716/1893.html
【13】“Chinese General Rides In Airship”，“The San Francisco Call”，5 August 1912. Retrieved 13 April 2019 – via newspapers.com.
【14】1912 趙秉鈞 段祺瑞 “政府公报” 第223期9-10页 临时稽勋局局长冯自由呈大总统请调飞行家谭根回国文
【15】《新青年》1916 年 2 月 1 卷 6 期 “大飞行家谭根”(封面附肖像)
http://image.sciencenet.cn/olddata/kexue.com.cn/upload/blog/file/2010/9/20109715546583552.pdf
【16】“Chinese Airman on Way to U.S. to Buy Planes”, “Honolulu Star-Bulletin”, Mon. Nov. 26, 1917 p.7
【17】“U. S. WARNED TO HUSTLE AFTER TRADE IN CHINA”,“San Francisco Chronicle”, 22 Mar 1920, page 3
【18】“Tom Gunn Returning With Horses, Dogs, and Aeroplanes”, “The Canton Times”, Guangzhou, China, 30 June 1920, page 8
【19】 “Hawaii Aviation: An Archive of Historic Photos and Facts” https://aviation.hawaii.gov/aviation-pioneers/tom-gunn/
【20】“Chinese Beauty To Marry”，“The Copper Era” 2019-04-14 pp.7
【21】“FLYING GUNN”, “The Shanghai Times”, Shanghai, 30 June 1914, page 2
【22】“First Maui Aviation Meet Was Big Success”，“Maui News”, Sat., November 1,1913, Vol.XX
【23】“Grand Airship Carnival on Plains Near Koloa”, “The Garden Island”, Tue., January 6, 1914, p.3
【24】“谭根合婚志盛”，1916年香港圣保罗教会公报第六十八页
【25】“Report of the Death of an American Citizen”, Consult General Instruction No.338 when executing this form (See also General Instruction No.475), Shanghai, China, January 20, 1925,
【26】“2013 pacific aviation pioneers: Tom Gunn”https://www.flickr.com/photos/pacificaviationmuseum/albums/72157634630710718/
【27】“中国飞机制造从水上飞机起步”，中国航空新闻网 http://www.cannews.com.cn/2017/0524/164458.shtml
