Histoire résumée | The two-place Mita-2 sailplane designed by Kiro Honjo and Asahi Miyahara of the Nippon Japan Glider Club of Tokyo. The Nippon Glider Club was formed in 1951 when the wartime ban on private flying was lifted. There are now 60 members, five of whom were charter members, including Miss Mitiko Hyuga, the president, who is also one of the instructors. At one time or another, 30 Americans have been members. including Ed Butts and Lt. Col. Robert R. Renfro, USAF, who submitted the photo and information about the club. The club's first ship was a Grunau Baby, after which, in 1954, it got a two-place NAITO trainer which served until the Mita 2 was finished last year. Launching is mostly by auto-tow but occasionally winch or aerotow is used. The club is unique in Japan in that it is governed by a Board of directors elected annually. |