Subaru Corporation
T-1 Hatsutaka
The T‑1 Hatsutaka, developed by Subaru Corporation in the early 1970s, was the company's first venture into fixed‑wing aircraft after decades of success with automotive engines. Conceived as a light utility transport for remote islands and mountainous regions of Japan, the prototype first flew on 12 March 1974 from Nagoya Airfield. Powered by Subaru’s newly designed horizontally opposed four‑cylinder boxer engine, the airframe featured all‑metal construction, a high‑wing configuration for short‑runway performance, and reinforced undercarriage capable of handling unpaved strips. Seating for five crew and cargo, combined with a generous 1,200‑kilogram payload, made the T‑1 popular with local governments for medical evacuation, survey missions, and disaster relief.
Key technological highlights included a variable‑pitch propeller, corrosion‑resistant aluminum‑lithium alloy skins, and an integrated avionics suite that introduced digital flight‑director displays to the class. Although only 48 units were built before production ceased in 1982, the Hatsutaka demonstrated Subaru’s ability to transfer automotive reliability to aviation, influencing later Japanese light‑aircraft designs. Its legacy endures in regional bush‑flying operations and as a benchmark for multidisciplinary engineering within the corporation. The aircraft also served as a trainer for the Japan Air Self‑Defense Force, and export trials to Southeast Asia showcased its adaptability to tropical climates.
Key technological highlights included a variable‑pitch propeller, corrosion‑resistant aluminum‑lithium alloy skins, and an integrated avionics suite that introduced digital flight‑director displays to the class. Although only 48 units were built before production ceased in 1982, the Hatsutaka demonstrated Subaru’s ability to transfer automotive reliability to aviation, influencing later Japanese light‑aircraft designs. Its legacy endures in regional bush‑flying operations and as a benchmark for multidisciplinary engineering within the corporation. The aircraft also served as a trainer for the Japan Air Self‑Defense Force, and export trials to Southeast Asia showcased its adaptability to tropical climates.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 12.12 metre
Performance
- Maximum Speed
- 925 kilometre per hour
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 66
- First Flight
- 1958
- Service Entry
- 1950