Curtiss C-46D

The JASDF received 36 C-46Ds (serial # 51-1101 to 71-1131) under MDAP between January 1955 and October 1957 to equip the Air Transport Wing. Twelve additional machines (C-46As #137-139 and #141-146, and C-46Ds #140, #147 and #148) were acquired from the Chinese Nationalist Air Force in 1959. Several C-46s were modified in service. 51-1119 became a 22-seat VIP machine, and 61-1129 was similar but had 24 seats; 91-1139 became a navigational trainer - these three for Air Transport Wing use. All of the C-46Ds operated by the Air Transport Wing were retired by 1977.
91-1140, 91-1143 and 91-1145 were converted to ECM trainers for the HQ Squadron's ECM Training Flight. 71-1133 became a radar test aircraft with the Air Proving Group. The Flight Check Group had 51-1101, 51-1108, 51-1114, 91-1138 and 91-1146 as navaids calibration aircraft. The last batch of non-transport C-46 (#138/143/145) were retired on 11MAR78.

日本のマニアの皆様にとっては良くご存知のC-46Dですので、日本語での解説文は割愛させていただきます。個人的には一番好きな自衛隊の輸送機でした。

Air Transport Wing (401st/402nd Sqdn) 輸送航空団

Tachikawa Provisional Air Group was formed at Tachikawa in Tokyo on 01FEB55 with several C-46Ds; it became Tachikawa Air Transport Group on 01MAR55. Moved to Miho on 06JUN55 as Miho Provisional Air Group. This became the Air Transport Wing on 01OCT58 with two C-46-equipped squadrons - the 401st Sqdn. at Miho and the 402nd Sqdn. at Kisarazu. The 402nd Sqdn moved to Iruma on 01JUN68 with C-46D and YS-11. None of the C-46Ds operated by the ATW carried tail-markings at all, so you cannot distinguish its squadron from the external appearance.
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C-46D
91-1142
@ Ashiya
MAR73

C-46D
51-1106
@ Shimofusa
JUN76

C-46D
51-1106
@ Shimofusa
JUN76

(above three photos)
The top photo was taken at Ashiya in March 1973. It was my last trip to JSDF airfields before graduation of my school/university days. The remaining two photos were taken at JMSDF's air station Shimofusa in June 1976. You can find a couple of JMSDF P-2 Neptunes in the background of the bottom photo.
(上3枚)最上段の写真は1973年3月に芦屋基地で写しました。小生が社会人として某会社に入社する直前に、学生時代最後の旅行として九州の自衛隊基地を巡りましたが、その時に写した 想い出深い写真です。前年からコダクロームII/25(KM)を既に使い始めていました。中段と下段の2枚は1976年の下総航空祭で写しました。あの当時は早く基地内に入ると、少し遠慮がちに 歩き回って基地内に駐機中の機体を標準レンズで撮影出来ました。最下段の写真の背景にはP2V-7とP-2Jが写っています。
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Flight Check Group 飛行点検隊

Flight Check Group was formed at Miho on 01OCT58 with specially-equipped C-46 navaids calibration aircraft. They moved to Kisarazu on 01JUN59 and moved again to Iruma on 31MAY68. The C-46 was gradually replaced by the YS-11FC (delivered 25FEB71) and the Mitsubishi MU-2J (delivered from 1975), and the last C-46 of the FCG was retired on 11MAR78. The tail-marking of the unit is red/white checker.
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C-46D
91-1146
@ Iruma
DEC72

C-46D
91-1146
@ Iruma
MAY75

(above two photos)
Both photos were taken at Iruma, the home of the Flight Check Group, in 1972 (top) and in 1975 (bottom).
(上2枚)いずれも飛行点検隊のホームベースである入間で撮影しました。上段の写真は1972年末、また下段の写真は1975年5月の撮影です。とにかく派手なマーキングで是非プラモデルを 作りたいです。
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C-46D
51-1101
@ Komaki
10AUG77

C-46D
51-1101
@ Komaki
10AUG77

C-46D
51-1101
@ Komaki
10AUG77

(above three photos)
I took these photos at Komaki in August 1977. I did not expect any C-46s at all when I visited Komaki at that time, because most of the JASDF's C-46s had already been retired by that time. So, I was so lucky and so excited with the FCG's C-46D.
(上3枚)いずれも1977年8月に小牧で写しました。その時点でまだ生き残っているC-46は三機ぐらいに減っていたので、小牧で偶然めぐり逢った飛点隊のC-46には大いに興奮しました。 ちょうど小牧で撮影中にエンジンを始動して離陸して行きました。
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ADC's HQ Squadron ECM Training Flight 航空総隊、電子訓練隊

ECM Training Flight was formed on 22MAR64 at Kisarazu within the ADC's HQ Sqdn with two converted (E)C-46Ds. They moved to Iruma on 31MAY68. The unit received the third (E)C-46 on 13NOV70. They received the first YS-11E on 03FEB77 in order to replace the aging (E)C-46Ds. The last (E)C-46D retired from service on 11MAR78.
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(E)C-46D
91-1145
@ Iruma
MAY75

(E)C-46D
91-1145
@ Iruma
MAY75

(E)C-46D
91-1140
@ Iruma
MAY75

(above three photos)
I took these photos at Iruma in May 1975. #145 (top & middle) and #140 (bottom) had different antenna/radome configuration as shown on the above photos.
(上3枚)いずれも1975年5月に入間で写しました。145号機(最上段と中段の写真)と140号機(最下段)を見比べると、アンテナやレドームの配置や形状が異なっています。
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NAMC YS-11

The JASDF received a total of 13 YS-11s between March 1965 and July 1971. The first four were YS-11P personnel transport (#151-154), followed by a YS-11PC personnel/cargo transport (#155), four YS-11C freighters (#156-159)- of which the first one was converted to YS-11NT navigational trainer on 28MAR77, a YS-11FC flight check aircraft (#160), and finally another three YS-11C (161-163), - of which the last two were converted to YS-11E ECM training aircraft for use by the HQ Sqdn.'s ECM Training Flight (#163 in 1976 & #163 in 1979). A YS-11C (#161) was also converted to YS-11EL ELINT aircraft in 1982 for use by the ADC's HQ Sqdn. After 1984 some other YS-11s were converted to non-transport types, and they were YS-11FC flight check aircraft (#151 in 1992 & #154 in 1990), YS-11EL ELINT aircraft (#157) and lastly YS-11EB ELINT aircraft (#155 in 1995 & #159 in 1996) which was powered by new turbo-prop engine (T64-IHI-10J) with three-bladed propeller. YS-11E ECM trainer #162/#163 were also re-engined later with T64-IHI-10J and re-desiganted as YS-11EA. YS-11EL #161 and #157 were also re-engined with T64-IHI-10J in 1997 and in 1998 respectively and they were re-desiganted as YS-11EB.
The color scheme of the transport type is silver with white roof and a solid blue stripe along the windows. The color scheme of the YS-11FC is similar, but it has a solid red stripe along the windows. The color scheme of the YS-11E ECM training aircraft is similar to the transport one. YS-11EA/EB/EL are currently camouglaged with dark grey on upper surfaces and light grey undersides.

日本のマニアの皆様にとっては良くご存知の国産YS-11ですので、日本語での解説文は割愛させていただきます。1990年以降小生はほとんど自衛隊機を撮影する機会が無かったため、YS-11EA/EBなどは コダクロームで写真を撮ったことが有りません。

401st Squadron 輸送航空団 第401飛行隊

The 401st Sqdn was formed on 01OCT58 at Miho with C-46D under newly formed Air Trasnport Wing. The unit received the first YS-11 in 1965. On 31MAR78, the 401st Sqdn. was re-organized and re-numbered as 403rd Sqdn at Miho undertaking the crew-training for the Air Transport Wing. The NEW 401st Squadron was formed at Komaki on 31MAR78 as part of the 1st Tactical Airlift Group (TAG) with C-1 and YS-11. All C-1s and YS-11s of the 401st were transferred to the 402nd/403rd Squadron by 1989 and the unit then became a pure C-130 squadron. The 401st is currently in active service with C/KC-130H at Komaki.
Tail-marking of the Miho-based 401st Sqdn was a white cherry blossom on the red disc, which was used between 1975 and 1978 only on the YS-11. Tail-marking of the Komaki-based "NEW" 401st Squadron (actually 1st TAG) was a red "Shachihoki", or a killer whale, of the Nagoya Castle on the blue background of a figure "1", which represented the "1"st Tactical Airlift Group commanding the 401st Squadron.
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YS-11C
92-1157
@ Tsuiki
NOV76

(above photo) I took the above photo at Tsuiki airshow in November 1976. The YS-11 #157 was taxing to the runway to return to Miho, the home base of the 401st. Please note a flight line of the F-86F/T-33A of the 6th Sqdn seen in the background.
(上写真)この赤いディスクの桜マークが本当に第401飛行隊の部隊マークなのかどうか、正直言って確信は有りません。もし間違っていればメールで教えて下さい。その場合は至急訂正致します。当時 輸送航空団飛行教育隊の尾翼マークだと聞いたこともあります。いずれにしても、この写真は1976年の築城航空祭で写しました。航空祭を終えて美保に帰投するところです。背景には第六飛行隊の F-86FとT-33Aが並んでいます。
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YS-11P
62-1154
@ Komaki
13AUG80

(above photo) I took the above photo at Komaki, the home of the 401st Sqdn., in August 1980. The YS-11P #154 was converted to YS-11FC navaids calibration aircraft in 1990.
(上写真)第401飛行隊のホームベースである小牧基地に翼を休めるYS-11Pの154号機です。当機は1990年にYS-11FC飛行点検機に改造されました。
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402nd Squadron 輸送航空団 第402飛行隊

The 402nd Sqdn was originally formed at Kisarazu with C-46 on 01OCT58 under newly formed Air Transport Wing. Recieved the first YS-11 in 1965. Moved to Iruma on 01JUN68. The 402nd began receiving Kawasaki C-1 in 1973. The unit was re-organized on 31MAR78 as part of the newly formed 2nd Tactical Airlift Group at Iruma with C-1 and YS-11.
The first tail marking of the 401st Sqdn was a white cherry blossom on the blue disc, which was used between 1972 and 1978 only on the YS-11. They changed their tail marking in 1978 and it was a bird marking in yellow outlined in green, which stylized "2" meaning the "2"nd Tactical Airlift Group commanding the 402nd Sqdn. In 1988, they adopted their new tail marking, which was an emblem of the 2nd Tactical Airlift Group.
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YS-11C
92-1157
@ Iruma
MAY75

YS-11P
52-1152
@ Iruma
MAY75

YS-11C
12-1162
@ Iruma
AUG76

(above three photos)
I took the above photos at Iruma, the home of the 402nd Sqdn., in 1975-76. The YS-11C #157 on the top photo was converted to YS-11EL in April 1991 and converted (re-engined) to YS-11EB in 1998. The YS-11C #162 on the bottom photo was converted to YS-11E ECM trainer in February 1979 (Please refer to a photo shown down below).
(上3枚)いずれも第402飛行隊のホームベースである入間で1975〜1976年に撮影しました。最上段のYS-11C、157号機はAPR91にYS-11EL、ELINTタイプに改造され、そして1998年にはエンジンを 換装してYS-11EBとなりました。最下段の162号機はFEB79にYS-11E、ECM訓練機に改造されました。改造後の写真もこのページの下方に貼り付けました。
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YS-11C
02-1158
@ Hyakuri
28JUL85

YS-11P
52-1151
@ Hyakuri
26JUL85

YS-11P
62-1154
@ Misawa
13SEP87

(above three photos)
In 1978 they changed their tail marking, and the new marking was a yellow bird outlined in green. It stylized "2" meaning the "2"nd Tactical Airlift Group commanding the 402nd. This bird marking had been used during 1978-1988. The top photo shows YS-11C #158 displayed at Hyakuri airshow in July 1985. The middle and the bottom photos show YS-11P personnel transport (#151 & #154 respectively), and both of them were later converted to YS-11FC flight check aircraft in 1992 and 1990 respectively. The bottom photo (#154) was taken at Misawa airshow held in September 1987.
(上3枚)1978年に同隊は尾翼マークを新しくしました。新マークは黄色に緑の縁取りを施した鳥ですが、形状が第二輸送航空隊の"2"を模したデザインとなっています。最上段の写真は 85年の百里航空祭で地上展示されたYS-11C(#158)カーゴタイプ機です。中段(#151)と最下段(#154)の写真はYS-11P人員輸送機ですが、両機とも各々1992年と1990年にYS-11FC飛行点検機 に改造されました。
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YS-11C
02-1159
@ Hyakuri
JUL94

(above photo) In 1988 they adopted their new tail marking, which was an emblem of the 2nd TAG. It shows a YS-11C #159 cargo transport which was displayed at Hyakuri airshow in July 1994. This aircraft was painted in special solor scheme celebrating the 40th anniversary of the JASDF, which was established in 1954. This #159 was later converted to YS-11EB ELINT aircraft in 1996.
(上写真)1988年に同隊は新たな尾翼マークを採用しました。それは第二輸送航空隊のエンブレムで現在でも同隊の尾翼マークとして使われています。 上写真は94年の百里航空祭で地上展示されたYS-11C(#159)カーゴタイプ機で、空自40周年記念塗装をしていました。同機は1996年にYS-11EB ELINT機に改造されました。
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403rd Squadron 輸送航空団 第403飛行隊

The 403rd Sqdn was formed on 31MAR78 at Miho as part of newly formed 3rd Tactical Airlift Group, under Air Transport Wing control, with C-1 and YS-11. The unit is currently in active with C-1 and YS-11 undertaking the crew-training for the Air Transport Wing.
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YS-11PC
82-1155
@ Miho
29MAY88

(above photo) It is a YS-11PC #155 personnel/cargo transport which was displayed at Miho airshow in May 1988. #155 was the only YS-11"PC" delivered to JASDF and please note a large cargo door seen on the port side of the forward fuselage, which is the unique external feature of the "PC" model. The #155 was later convered to YS-11EB ELINT aircraft in 1995. The tail marking of the 403rd at that time was a blue cherry flower whose various petals are formed into the highly stylized letters "ATW" meaning Air Transport Wing. The number "3" in white in the middle of the marking represents the "3"rd Tactical Airlift Group.
(上写真)この155号機は唯一のYS-11"PC"人員/貨物混載機で、外観上の特徴は前部胴体左側に大きなカーゴドアを設けてあります。本機はその後1995年にYS-11EB ELINT機に改造されています。 この写真は1988年の美保航空祭に展示された機体です。この当時の同隊の尾翼マークは青色の桜花ですが、真ん中の数字"3"は勿論第三輸送航空隊を意味しています。
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ADC's HQ Sqdn. ECM Training Flight 航空総隊、電子訓練隊

ECM Training Flight was formed on 22MAR64 at Kisarazu within the ADC's HQ Sqdn with two converted (E)C-46Ds. They moved to Iruma on 31MAY68. The unit received the third (E)C-46 on 13NOV70. They received the first YS-11E (#163) in 1977 and the second YS-11E (#162) in 1979 in order to replace the aging (E)C-46Ds.
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YS-11E
12-1162
@ Misawa
06SEP81

YS-11E
12-1162
@ Tsuiki
03AUG83

YS-11E
12-1163
@ Komatsu
07JUN82

(above three photos)
Top photo shows a YS-11E #162 which was displayed at Misawa airshow in September 1981. I took the middle photo (YS-11E, #162) at Tsuiki in 1983. The #162 on the photo was taxing to the runway #25 for another mission. The bottom photo (YS-11E, #163) was taken at Komatsu in June 1982 during the JASDF's annual Fighter Meet, and the #163 was participated in the Fighter Meet to undertake the ECM mission. Both #162 & #163 were later re-engined and converted to YS-11EA and adopted the grey camouflage.
(上3枚)最上段の写真(YS-11E, #162号機)は81年の三沢航空祭に地上展示された機体です。中段の写真も同じ163号機ですが、1983年8月に築城でミッションを繰り返していました。 最下段のYS-11E、163号機は1982年6月の戦競に参加した機体ですが、ミッションを終えて小松に着陸するところです。その後162/163号機はいずれもエンジンを換装してYS-11EAに改造され グレー迷彩を施すことになりました。
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Lockheed C-130H

JASDF received a total of 16 Lockhhed-built C-130Hs (#071-#086) between 1983 and 1998. One of the C-130Hs, serial # 85-1080, was converted to KC-130H and delivered to JASDF (401st Sqdn) on 25FEB10. All of the C-130s has been operated by the 401st Sqdn at Komaki under the 1st Tactical Airlift Group. There were two variations of the camouflage scheme applied on the C-130 at the beginning. One was the USAF's SEA (Viet-nam) camouflage only on the #075/076, and the other one was the USAF's European 1 camouflage on all the remaining machines. However, the #075/#076 were re-painted in the European 1 camouflage several years later.
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C-130H
75-1076
@ Komaki
19AUG87

C-130H
75-1076
@ Miho
29MAY88

(above two photos)
Only two of the C-130Hs were camouflaged in Viet-nam (SEA) scheme, and the #076 shown on above two photos was one of the two in the SEA camouflage. The photo immediate above was taken at Miho airshow on 29MAY88. The SEA camouflage disappeared only after several years and they were re-painted in European 1 scheme.
(上2枚)C-130H導入当初、わずか2機の機体(075/076号機)にはいわゆるベトナム迷彩が施されました。しかし数年後には(IRAN時)他と同じユーロピアン1迷彩に塗り直されました。 マニア的には残念です。上の写真はいずれもベトナム迷彩の076号機ですが、下段の写真は1988年の美保航空祭で写しました。
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C-130H
35-1071
@ Iruma
03NOV85

C-130H
45-1074
@ Komaki
01SEP86

C-130H
75-1075
@ Komaki
19NOV95

(photos above and at left)
European 1 camouflage was a standard paint scheme for the C-130H. Dark green portion of the European 1 camouflage had became a little lighter in the 90's. Please compare the dark green portion on the top (#071) and the second (#074) photo with the dark green of the photo immediate above (#075) and at left (#083). The former is clearly darker than the latter. Please note a red kangaroo marking (silhouette) seen on the photo at left.
(上3枚と左)一部のベトナム迷彩機は塗り直されて(直ぐ上の写真の075号機はベトナム迷彩で納入された)C-130の迷彩塗装はユーロピアン1に統一されました。しかし、濃緑色の色味は途中で変化が有ったように 思われます。上の写真で比較すると、最上段と2枚目の写真(071/074号機)の濃緑色を、3枚目と左写真(075/083号機)の濃緑色と比較すると、明らかに前者(071/074号機)の方が暗い (黒っぽい)です。理由はわかりませんが、昔(80年代)の迷彩色の濃緑色はかなり濃くて、ライトグリーンとの色味の違いが際立っていたように思います。左写真の矢印部分には赤いカンガルーのマーク が付いています。
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inserted by FC2 system
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