The history of Turkish aeronautical industry (1912-1959)

The start of Turkish aviation encounters in the last ten years of Ottoman Empire. The first initiative of aviation industry is a 5 March 1912 dated memorandum in which the proposal - made by a nonmuslim Ottoman citizen - of uprising an aviation school and a factory is appraised. On the same date a French company offers to meditate a school and a factory. Ayastefanos Aviation School starts education in the establishments that was constructed in the same year. This "school is the center of Turkish aviation till the last period of Ottoman Empire. After the World War Turkish aviation will almost vanish. War of Independence was won with a great renunciation by flying one or two aircrafts possessed despite the lack of glue, which is used on the wing canvas. This difficult situation was because of not having even a small workshop in the country. After foundation of republic, Turkish folk have donated 250 aircraft to the Turkish army by the aids made to the Turkish Aeronautical Association in the period of ten years between 1925 and 1935. TOMTAŞ initiative is established by the common multiple of German Company, Junkers. Factories in Kayseri and Eskişehir were constructed. The process was accomplished in Kayseri. But because of the faulty steps made by both sides of common multiple, rescindation of community was announced. After that, the factory continued production with the name " Kayseri Aircraft Factory". In 1936, Turkish Aeronautical Association has started to construct gliders in workshops placed in Ankara/ Akköprü. In 1937 businessmen Nuri DEMİRDA?, started construction of gliders in his workshop placed in Beşiktaş Hayrettin Seaport. In a very short period of time he has upgraded his workshop to a factory. After that he set up Gök Flight School facility in Yeşilköy, where now Atatürk Airport stands. In 1939 Demirdağ was having financial problems due to the rejection of his aircrafts by THK for the second time. Though; till 1944 he has continued construction of aircrafts and flight school education activities, government's decision of legal expropriation for airport construction has stopped his activities. With the start of World War II in 1940 the construction of an aircraft factory in Etimesgut by Turkish Aeronautical Association was decided.IV After the construction of the factory, THK Gazi Aircraft Engine Factory started service in 1948 and Ankara Wind Tunnel in 1950. In April of 1948, in the name of Truman Aid; USA has delivered 540 aircrafts which were more modern than TSK had so the factories in the country have lost their importance. From than indigenous industry initiatives were looked down. In 18 June 1952 they were sold to MKEK. MKEK renamed the works of Turkish Aeronautical Association on prototypes, improved them and went on production until 1959. Because of the constancy in lack of demand and hinders of government on processes; MKEK has ended its aircraft construction.