The First Construction Attempt of Turkish Republic’s Aircraft Factory Turkish Motor and Aircraft Corporation (TOMTAŞ) and Kayseri Aircraft Factory

Abstract

Eight months after the establishment of the Turkish Aviation Society, a clear directive was given by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for the establishment of an aircraft factory in Kayseri , Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was against to purchase technologies which were seen old and obsolete in developed countries and he regarded it as a waste of money. When it was compared with Turkey's budget, it was clear that the amount was higher.On August 15, 1926, there was an agreement with junkers and it was agreed to establish a small facility and a plant in order to do repair procedures. On October 6, 1926 the factory was opened by a ceremony which was held by the state. In 1927, the maintenance, repair and overhaul procedures of the Aircrafts A-20, F-13 and G-23 which were in the inventory of the Turkish Air Force, were started. The factory went bankrupt in a short time and was closed as a result of this negative developments. Kayseri Aircraft Factory was re-opened in 1931 with the same name again. Approximately, 200 aircraft were produced until 1939. One of the planes produced here was given as a present to Iran by the order of Atatürk. The factory has been operating its maintenance and repair procedures since 1939 . It is a factory that is affiliated to Air Force Command Air Logistics.