Some of these pictures will also appear in an extensive tripreport in Scramble 380.
The air show at Hamamatsu was a real treat for T-4 lovers. No less than 49 were visible on the airfield. T-4 86-5609 of 31 Kyoiku Hikotai was one of twelve local aircraft is the flying display. On the intake special markings for 10000hours are visible. Left and right more T-4s are visible who were parked on the far side for the day.
Many moons ago Fuji Heavy industries licensed produced the T-34A trainer. Fuji developed this nimble trainer further into the LM-1 four seat liaison and LM-2 2-seat trainer aircraft. Both were acquired by the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. The LM-1 received a bigger engine and was named KM in civil service. The KM-2 was a two seat version of the KM and 60 were purchased by the Japanese Navy. It did not stop here, as a further development of the KM-2 was named KM-2B and 50 were bought by the air force as T-3. The below T-7 is a further development of the original T-7 and entered service in 2002. This 56-5928 is seen on the ramp of Shizuhama with a couple of its colleagues of 11 Hiko Kyoikudan.
Still the backbone of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force antic-tank element is the fleet of AH-1S attack helicopters. This 73492 VATH belongs to the 5 Taisensha Herikoputatai at Akeno.
This OH-1 is far from home. It was seen at Akeno, but according to the unit markings (1ATH) it belongs to the 1 Taisensha Herikoputatai at Obihoro on the northern island Hokkaido. Thirty have been delivered so far.
With its mean looks and tough exterior this Black hawk should be everyone’s favourite! Deliveries are going slow with not even 30 helicopters delivered in over ten years. This UH-60JA 43115 is seen here at homebase Akeno and operates with the Akeno Honko.
Tokushima is one of those places where one can get very close to the ramp. The aircraft will taxi right by you and during take off decent pictures can be made. Looking in the hangars is a bit of a problem from there. But driving to the far side of the field helps out. TC-90 6826 of 202 Kyoiku Kokutai was done for the day. The Beech was hooked up to the squadron car and towed inside the hangar.
One of many TC-90s that day escaping the hectic ramp and heading for the Tokushima skies. The base is located on the north eastern tip of Shikoku Island.
Since the opening of the new runway at MCAS Iwakuni spotting and photographing has become a bit more difficult. The only decent pictures can be taken late afternoon and the ramps are far away, so aircraft difficult to read. We were told lots of US aircraft had deployed to Okinawa because of the tension with China at the time. This resident 81 Kokutai EP-3 took off in the morning and I still had to make a picture of it.
Many ramps of Japanese bases, whether they are air force, army or navy, look almost like a beehive. Lots of activity; towing, maintenance, cleaning, all on a small space. The same goes for nay training base Ozuki on the southern tip of Honshu.
The Fuji T-5 is the navy successor to the KM-2. The aircraft is manufactured at Utsonomiya, where we noted the three latest examples. The pictured 6325 of 201 Kyoiku Kokutai has just lifted of the Ozuki runway for yet another training mission.
Looking at aircraft is a treat at Tsuiki. At the western end is a little hill with benches, toilets and vending machines, but you are looking into the sun all day. On the eastern end are no luxuries, just several great spots for take off and landing. 304 Hikotai F-15J 42-835 has just left the tarmac.
Don’t mess with the JASDF! The day before our visit to Tsuiki, the Japanase Coast Guard apprehended a Chinese fishing boat getting to close to Japanese waters. Tension between both countries rose. At Tsuiki mobile air defence systems were erected, but the aircraft stayed in the hangars. A little later than usual the aircraft were towed to the flightlines, including six 6 Hikotai F-2As, each equipped with four large anti ship missiles. Two are seen here, with 33-8523 taken up much of the frame.
Morning madness at Kanoya! It is not even 09.00AM and both training helicopters, the OH-6DA and TH-135 are about to take off. The SH-60J, on the left, is being prepared for flight, while the Orion, on the right, is getting a wash after his flight. UH-60J 8977 is the only aircraft doing nothing. Both Air Force C-130s have spend the night and are gearing up for departure. The Huey, together with another one had just arrived and the crews are probably enjoying a late breakfast.
The helicopter ramp at Kanoya is separated from the public road by a fence on top of a small embankment. From here you have an excellent view on the various ramps. This shot was taken with 200mm and hardly cropped. OH-6DA 8781 is seen hover taxiing to the runway for departure with several P-3Cs and EP-3 9174 in the background.
Even though this was a ‘numbers only’-trip, there were plenty of photo opportunities. The resident F-4s and aggressor Eagles were not flying at Nyutabaru, but the 23 Hikotai made up for that. With the trademark aerodynamic braking of the Eagle, this F-15DJ 32-8083 will soon come to a full stop.
The show at Metabaru was a bit of a disappointment. There was no static and in the early afternoon a couple of helicopters would perform an aerial demonstration. We did not have time to stick around for that as we were heading for Gifu. We did find several helicopters on the flightline and were able to take a couple of pictures. This OH-6A 31292/WH of the resident Seibu Homen Herikoputatai and big brother UH-1J 41851/WH of the same unit are having a rest in the morning sun.
Unfortunately the weather was not good this Monday morning, but it did not bother the JASDF. Before 08.00AM, twelve F-15s and a couple of visiting F-2s from Misawa were lined up to take-off. This F-15 line consist of three 306 Hikotai F-15Js in the front, followed by two of their F-15DJs and a visiting aggressor F-15DJ of the Hiko Kyodotai.
The Japanese armed forces have a very extensive rescue network. Almost all air force bases have UH-60J and U-125A aircraft assigned. Many navy bases also have UH-60J helicopters assigned to assist in times of emergencies. A couple of air force bases have a bit bigger equipment. Fukuoka, Iruma, Naha and Misawa have a couple of CH-47Js in their inventory. This 47-4490 belongs to the latter Misawa Herikoputa Kuyutai.
The Japanese E-2C is a rare catch. There are not many around and because of the nature of their mission they do not hang around the airfield all day. Our visit to Misawa proved differently however. From the new tower at the museum no less than nine Hawkeyes were seen on the ramps, ten if you talk to some of the guys in the group…. And a couple went out for a mission. So a very successful Hawkeye day! Their unit used to be called 601 Hikotai, but this changed into Hiko Keikai Kanshitai some time ago. 34-3451 is seen waiting for approval to go on the runway and take off.
On this picture are three 402 Hikotai C-1 transport aircraft visible. Most obvious is 48-1004, with 78-1024 to the left and behind that 18-1031 in the hangar. This picture was taken at Iruma, but we saw 48-1004 also at Misawa only two days before. The successor of this homebuilt transport is in the making. So be quick if you want to see one!
This YS-11EA is one of two ECM/EW trainers with the air force. It belongs to Denshisen Shientai at Iruma, but was photographed at nearby Atsugi on 29 October 2010.
I Went twice to Japan, never caught one. Indeed, a good catch.
on both the captions and the photo variety! Arigato, mate. 
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