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CONSTRUCTION AERONAUTIQUE in FRANCE
EXCELLENT MECHANICIAN from ORIENT

(1889-1959)

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　 　 　 Last update: 17, Jan. 2004

Tomiji Kudo was born in Ominato village,northern Japan　 Aomori prefecture in 1889.　Both his father and grand father were craftsman of constructing ship, so he was very interested about making something in his childhood.
After he graduated primary school in 1902, he worked at navy factory. Japanese navy was very busy to prepare war against Russia then. Kudo was still young, but he proclaimed his tallent, it was said. He improved his skill there.
In 1908 he retired Navy, and then he tried to do his own buisiness. He married in those days, but their living was not easy. What was worse his parents were dead, and they had no money.
In 1914 World War �Tbroke out in Europe. Japan's trade with Russia had increased then. Russia was looking for mechanicians of aeroplane.	Tomiji Kudo(left) with Emile Dewoitine
In 1916 Kudo decided to go Russia to get money, in spite that he knew nothing about aeroplane. He took Siberian Railway, crossing continent and reached to Odessa.
He was introduced a French man, Emile Dewoitine. This man was originator of Aerospatial factory Toulouse, famous company in the world now.(You know CONCORD and AIRBUS.)
Kudo and Dewoitine worked together at Simferopol(Crimea peninsula) to run the factory.	DEWOITINE type C1D1, Kudo(center)
In 1917 Russian revolution broke out. Dewoitine decided to escape at once. Kudo prefered to stay more. They promised to meet again in France. The road to France was very hard. Headed to north, Scandinavia, across the north sea to England and France at last. It might be 4 years later they met again.
In 1920 Dewoitine established his own company(Construction Aeronautiques Emile Dewoitine) in Toulouse, southern France.
In 1922 Dewoitine developed new aeroplane, type C1D1. Its body was all metal(duralmin). In those days aeroplanes were usually made of woods and cloths, so that was epoch making innovation to modern aeroplane. It is certain that there were Kudo's contribution. Kudo teached how to construct aeroplane in Italy and Swizerland.	"DEWOITINE" staff, Kudo(first line center)
In 1930 Dewoitine developed a long distance flight plane type D33 named "Trait d'Union". Kudo devoted himself to construct this plane.
June 1931 "Trait d'Union" established a world record of long distance flight, 10372km, piloted by Joseph Le Brix, Marcel Doret and Mesmin.
July 1931 they tried non-stop Paris -Tokyo flight. Kudo was dispatched to Tokyo to fix the plane. They planned to fly across the Pacific Ocean.　But they made a emergency landing in front of Lake Baikal.
In september they tried again, but this time they crashed at Mountain Ural. Le Brix and Mesmin were killed by this accident. Only Marcel Doret could escape by using parachute. At last this project was unsuccessful.	DEWOITINE type D33"Trait d'Union", Kudo (left)
	I　am looking for information about Tomiji Kudo, Emile Dewoitin, Marcel Doret and so on. Please contact to Kazuhiko Kudo
In 1932 Kudo retired "Dewoitine" and returned to Japan after 16 years.
In 1934 Tokyo Imperial University Aeroplane Reseach Institute planned to develope long distanceplane. Kudo played a very important part in this project. This aeroplane was named "KOKENKI" and established a world record of long distance flight 11651km in 1938. It is said that "KOKENKI" and "Trait d'Union" had a resemblance as if they were sisters. "KOKENKI" is only plane made in Japan that established a world record.
In 1945 Japan was　　　 defeated on World War �U and was prohibited from making aeroplane. Kudo never construct aeroplane again. He lived his last years in his home town Ominato and passed away in 1959.	Kazuhiko Kudo, (My grand fasther's uncle is Tomiji Kudo) ADRESS:40-3-3 Ominato-hamacho Mutsu-city Aomori-ken,JAPAN TEL.&FAX.: 81-175-24-6228 E-mail : kazz910@jomon.ne.jp