[Joseon Images] Aviation history made at Yongsan

Ohtori 4 in Korea in April 1913 / Robert Neff collection courtesy of Rick Linstead

By Robert Neff

At 1:30 p.m. on April 3, 1913, aviation history was made on the Japanese military base in Yongsan. Before a huge crowd of people _ including Sunjong, former emperor of the Korean Empire _ the Ohtori 4, an aircraft built by Japanese Lt. Sanji Narahara, raced down an impromptu 35-meter-long runway and soared into the air reaching the astounding height of 30 meters off the ground. For nearly 30 minutes it circled the amazed crowd who responded to the pilot's daring feat with loud applause. The plane landed safely and was refueled before it rolled out at 3:30 for its second flight.

This second flight was not as successful. As the plane lifted into the air it was struck by a strong wind and the pilot momentarily lost control of the plane but regained control saving the aircraft from crashing into a nearby cycling track. The flight lasted less than 10 minutes.

The plane had two more flights _ one at 4:30 and the other at 5:30. The third flight was the most successful. The plane soared into the air 70 meters and appeared as a "dot-like figure" as it circled over the special and first-class seats.

The aerial exposition was a smashing success. One spectator gushed that he had never in his life seen such a large audience. "It was almost a terrifying sight," he declared and speculated that "maybe the entire population of Seoul went out to see the spectacle."

His observation wasn't overly exaggerated. Only 17,000 people had been expected but more than 60,000 attended. This is an amazing number when one considers Seoul's population at the time was only about 200,000 people.

Additional exhibitions were held at Yongsan on April 4 and witnessed by 45,000 spectators and on April 5 near Dongdaemun _ this one was cut short due to heavy rain but still attracted 30,000 people.

The tickets weren't cheap. The cost of admission was 2 yen for special seating, 1 yen for first class, 50 sen for second-class and 30 sen for third class. Children under eight and students were given a 50 percent discount and military were allowed in for free.

Some people made great sacrifices to witness what was described as "almost a miracle." One man traveled from Yongcheong (near the Yalu River) to Seoul to see the exhibit leaving his very pregnant wife behind. Shortly after witnessing the flight he received a telegram from his wife announcing the birth of his son. He promptly answered her telegram but said nothing about the birth of his son, merely raving about the airplane.

Another man, who lived in Itaewon, had his home burglarized while he was at the exhibit. Fortunately for him, his neighbor caught the burglar red-handed and, after a sound thrashing, tied him up to await the owner's return. Much to the neighbor's surprise, the owner was in such a good mood that he promptly released the burglar and didn't even report the incident to the police.

To celebrate Narahara's achievement, a banquet _ complete with a dozen gisaeng and 80 guests _ was held at one of the most popular restaurants in Seoul. It is claimed he was the first person to fly in Korea but was he really?

History seems to have forgotten that the Ohtori 4 was a two-seater aircraft and that there was another pilot, Narahara's student, Einosuke Shirato. Due to pressure from his family, Narahara gave up flying _ the exact date isn't known but it may have been as early as April 1912. We know in May 1912, the initial flight from Japan's first civilian airfield (located in Chiba and designed by Narahara) was by the Ohtori 4. It was Shirato and not Narahara who flew the plane!

There is the possibility that the true pioneer of aviation history in Korea was not the master but the forgotten student.

My appreciation to Suk Jihoon for his valuable assistance.

Robert Neff is a historian and columnist for The Korea Times. He can be reached at robertneff103@gmail.com

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