Wu Daguan

Wu Daguan (November 13, 1916 - March 18, 2009) was a Chinese aeronautical engineer who founded China's aero-engine industry. Daguan established the first aero-engine design organization in the country, led the development of China's initial jet engine model, and presided over the compilation of China's first general specification for aircraft engine development. For his significant contribution to the field, he was widely recognized as "the Father of China's Aircraft Engine".

These pioneering works not only opened the pave way for new scientific research during his time but also established the foundation for the success of future Chinese engines.

Early life and education
Wu was born as Wu Weisheng (吴蔚升) in 1916 in Jiangdu, Jiangsu province.

He was recommended to attend the National Southwest Associated University in Changsha in 1937, and he moved with the school to Kunming to continue his studies. During his time at the university, he witnessed the bombing of Japanese planes during World War II and decided to dedicate himself to "save his country through aviation". As a result, after he completed his third year in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, he transferred to the Department of Aviation.

Career
Wu graduated from college in 1942. In 1944, he was selected and sent to an aero engine factory in the United States for further study. During the study period in the factory, it took him only half a year to master the whole design of a reciprocating engine. He then studied at Pratt & Whitney. During his time there, he observed the manufacturing of jet engines in the workshop, which aroused his interest.

In 1946, he joined the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in the United States and began his study of jet technology, which laid the foundation for his future career in aircraft engine design. In March 1947, Wu Daguan returned to China. He only brought back two boxes filled with books and technical materials. Upon his return to China, he was assigned to the Aviation Engine Factory in Guangzhou for the establishment of the factory. However, after witnessing the corruption within the Nanjing Nationalist Party at that time, he realized that the government would not continue to promote the development of aircraft engines. As a result, he decided to resign. In 1948, Wu went to Beiping (now Beijing), and he became a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Peking University. He was teaching new courses on aero-engine design, gear design, and manufacturing, which were well received by the students.

In the same year, Daguan met with a prominent Chinese Communist military leader, Nie Rong Zhen, who encouraged him to contribute to the aviation industry. From then on, he followed through with his commitment to saving the country through aviation.

In December 1948, Wu Daguan worked at a Mining and Metallurgy Research Institute.

In December 1949, he became the chief of the Aviation Preparation Group of the Ministry of Industry.

Research and Development
The Civil Aviation Administration of China was established in 1951, and Wu Daguan participated in engine production. He and others studied new Soviet jet engine production techniques and gathered advanced factory production management examples with the  Soviet Union's help. In 1956, he was sent to Shenyang to establish China's first jet engine design department. After discussions between Daguan and the vice director of the design department regarding favorable conditions and potential challenges, they decided to use the new Soviet engine (BK-1) as the baseline engine. They applied similar principles to design the 1A turbojet engine, which is used in the Shenyang JJ-1.

This approach utilizes the existing resources available at the 410 factory, eliminating the need for additional new materials. It allows for the production of a new engine without increasing costs significantly. This method is economical, low-risk, has a shorter development cycle, and requires less expenditure. Wu worked tirelessly with others for 210 days. Following a rigorous 20-hour endurance test, the first batch of four engines was successfully developed.

On August 1, 958, these four engines were installed on the newly designed JJ-1 aircraft and successfully conducted a test flight, marking the victorious birth of the 1A engine.

Contributions
Over the past few decades, under the leadership of Daguan, China has established an increasingly perfect research and development system and cultivated a highly skilled team of scientific research personnel. It has successively organized the development of Jufa-1A, Hongqi-2, Wopen-7A, Woshan-5, Woshan-6 engines, as well as the patent production of the Spey engine. It has also compiled general specifications for engines.

Death
On March 18, 2009, Daguan died due to illness at the age of 93.