Zhu Binhou (Chinese: 朱斌侯; pinyin: Zhū Bīnhóu; Wade–Giles: Chu Pin-hou; 4 December 1885 – 1940?), also known as Etienne Tsu, was an early Chinese aviator. Born in Shanghai, Zhu was a son of the prominent banker Zhu Zhiyao (朱志尧, a.k.a. Nicolas Tsu). He left for France to study mechanical engineering at the Université Lille 1, graduating in 1903.[1][2] As he was fascinated with the design and operation of automobiles and ships, 1903 also brought about the revolutionary advent of the controlled, sustained, and powered heavier-than-air machines, which had driven Zhu Binhou into this new frontier of human flight.[3]
Zhu Binhou | |
|---|---|
| Native name | 朱斌侯 |
| Born | (1885-12-04)4 December 1885 Shanghai, Qing dynasty |
| Died | 1940 (unconfirmed) |
| Allegiance | France |
| Service/ | French Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 |
| Unit | Escadrille SPA.37 |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Relations | Zhu Zhiyao (father) |
Zhu Binhou gained his aviator's license, issued by the Aero Club de France, in 1914 at the beginning of World War I, and joined, as part of the French Foreign Legion, Escadrille SPA.37 of the French Air Service in 1915; he is credited with downing five German aircraft and observation balloons, and four probables between 10 July 1916 and 7 January 1917.[4][5][6]
Demobilized in 1919, he returned to China where he took part in the creation of the Chinese Flying school which was equipped with French machines. A Colonel in 1925, he died in Shanghai in 1940.