JASDF's other fixed-wing aircraft


Mitsubishi MU-2S/J

Two versions of the successful Mitsubishi MU-2 twin-turboprop light transport entered JASDF service: the MU-2S search and rescue model (factory designation MU-2E) and the navaids calibration MU-2J. A total of 29 MU-2Ss (#201-229) were delivered to JASDF between 1967 and 1987 to replace the aging T-34A in search & rescue role. All of the MU-2Ss had been operated by the Air Rescue Wing and the last surviving MU-2S retired from service in October 2008. Raytheon U-125A gradually took over the SAR role of the MU-2S from 1995. Color scheme of the MU-2S was a high-visibility yellow and white scheme overall.
A total of four MU-2Js (#271-#274) had been delivered to the JASDF between 1975 and 1979 and they all had been operated from Iruma within the Flight Check Group. Raytheon U-125 (BAe125-800) navaids calibration aircraft was replaced with the MU-2J during 1993-1994 and the last surviving MU-2J retired from service in 1995. Color-scheme of the MU-2J was high-visibility red and white overall.

MU-2S
73-3202
@ Matsushima
18APR75

MU-2S
63-3221
@ Tsuiki
06NOV83

MU-2S
73-3229
@ Misawa
04JUN89

(above three photos)
Top photo shows a MU-2S #202 of Air Rescue Wing Det.Matsushima photographed at Matsushima in April 1975. I took the middle photo (#221) at Tsuiki airshow in November 1983. The bottom photo was taken at Misawa airshow in June 1989. Please note a long blade antenna added above the cockpit and a rectangular-shaped antenna added on the fin. The Air Rescue Wing badge was carried on the fin together with the base name "CHITOSE" in small black letters immediately below the badge.
(上3枚)最上段の写真は松島救難隊のMU-2S、202号機で1975年4月に松島で撮影しました。中段の写真は1983年の築城航空祭で地上展示された221号機です。最下段の写真は1989年の三沢航空祭 で地上展示された千歳救難隊の229号機です。操縦席の上あたりにブレードアンテナが、また垂直尾翼両面には水平方向に角形アンテナが追加されています。またこの頃からでしょうか、 垂直尾翼に航空救難団のバッジが描かれて、その下に所属基地名を小さな黒のローマ字で記入され始めました。
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MU-2J
93-3274
@ Iruma
03NOV82

MU-2J
73-3272
@ Hyakuri
13NOV84

(above two photos)
Top photo shows a MU-2J #274 displayed on the static line at Iruma airshow in November 1982. The bottom photo shows a MU-2J #272 taxing at Hyakuri for another mission in November 1984.
(上2枚)上段の写真は1982年の入間航空祭に展示されていた274号機です。下の写真は13NOV84に百里の『くノ一』で撮影しました。
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Grumman E-2C Hawkeye

The JASDF received a total of 13 E-2Cs between 1983 and 1994. They all were built by Grumman and imported to Japan. All of the first four E-2Cs were initially operated by the Air Proving Wing for operational testing. The first E-2C unit, Provisional Airborne Early Warning Group, was formed at Misawa on 15NOV83 with four E-2Cs. The unit was re-named as "Airborne Early Warning Group" on 05APR86, and the 601st Squadron was newly formed with E-2Cs under the AEW Group at the same time. The 601st was again re-named as "Airborn Early Warning Squadron" on 31MAR05. All of the E-2Cs are currently operated by the AEW.Sqdn. at Misawa. Color scheme is light grey on upper surfaces and white undersides.
A photo at left shows the unit marking carried on the E-2C of the 601st Squadron. (Later re-named as AEW.Squadron.)

E-2C
54-3457
@ Komatsu
25JUL86

E-2C
54-3455
@ Komaki
09NOV86

E-2C
54-3458
@ Hachinohe
10MAY87

E-2C
54-3457
@ Misawa
04JUN89

(above four photos)
Top photo shows a E-2C #457 of the 601st Squadron displayed on the static line at Komatsu airshow in July 1986. The second photo shows another E-2C #455 displayed at Komaki airshow in November 1986. I took the third photo at Hachinohe airshow in May 1987. The bottom photo was taken at Misawa airshow in June 1989.
(上4枚)いずれも1980年代後半に各地の航空祭で撮影した地上展示機のE-2Cです。部隊マークも含めて20年近く塗装やマーキングは全然変化が無いですね。
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Beechcraft B-65 Queen Air

Five Queen Air A65 (JASDF's designation "B-65") were transferred from the JMSDF to the JASDF HQ Squadron as liaison and utility aircraft on 04MAR80. The serial numbers of these five machines were 03-3091/095, and their previous serials with JMSDF were 6720/21/22/27/28 respectively. Two of the five B-65s were transferred from the HQ Sqdn to Naha/Okinawa-based Southwestern Composite Air Division, Headquarters & Support Flight in late 1980. The last surviving B-65 was withdrawn from the Southwestern Composite Air Division on 01MAR99. Color scheme was high-visibility red and white overall.

B-65 Queen Air
03-3093
@ Misawa
04JUN89

B-65 Queen Air
03-3093
@ Iruma
03NOV94

(above two photos)
Top photo shows a B-65 #093 of the ADC's Headquarters Squadron taken at Misawa airshow in June 1989. The bottom photo shows the same #093 of the same HQ Sqdn, which was displayed on the static line at Iruma airshow in November 1994. The aircraft carried the special paint scheme celebrating the 40th anniversary of the JASDF.
(上2枚)上段の写真は1989年の三沢航空祭で撮影した093号機です。航空総隊司令部飛行隊は04MAR80に海自から返還された5機のB-65を当初運用していたようですが、1980年秋頃には 内2機が南西支援飛行班に配属されました。下段の写真は1994年の入間航空祭で写しました。自衛隊創設40周年の記念塗装が施されています。同隊のB-65は1998年に退役しました。

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B-65 Queen Air
03-3092
@ Tsuiki
06NOV83

B-65 Queen Air
03-3094
@ Naha
17AUG89

(photos above and at left)
Top photo shows a B-65 #092 of the Southwestern Composite Air Division, Headquarters & Support Flight which was displayed at Tsuiki airshow in November 1983. The unit shared the same tail marking as the 207th Sqdn's marking carried on their F-104J at the beginning. In October 1984, they adopted their own (unique) marking as shown on the photo at left. This is a Okinawa's lion-dog statue, placed as talisman against evil at entrances and on roofs. The photo immediate above is a B-65 #094 with the new tail marking taken at Naha/Okinawa, the home of the unit, in August 1989.
(上2枚と左)最上段の写真は1983年の築城航空祭で撮影した092号機です。所属は南西支援飛行班ですが、B-65が配備された当初(1980年秋頃から?)は同じ那覇をベースとする第207飛行隊 と同じ尾翼マークを付けていました。同隊は1984年10月頃に新しい(同隊独自の)尾翼マークを採用しましたが、それが左写真のシーサーです。直ぐ上の写真はシーサーの尾翼マークを付けた 094号機ですが、1989年8月に当時まだ10歳だった長女を引き連れて那覇基地を訪問した際に撮影しました。同隊には2機のB-65が配備されていましたが、それらは1999年3月までに用廃となったようです。

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Raytheon T-400 (Jayhawk)

T-400
41-5055
@ Hamamatsu
03DEC95

(above photo) JASDF purchased a total of 13 Raytheon/Beech T-400 (#051-#063) for use as crew trainers of transport and SAR planes, and the first one was delivered in 1994. On 01JUN94, Provisional 41st Training Squadron was formed at Miho under the 3rd Tactical Airlift Group to operate the T-400. On 01JUN94, the provisional unit became the 41st Training Squadron. The T-400 #055 shown on the above photo carried the tail marking of the 41st Traning Sqdn on the tail. I plan to upload the close-up photo of their tail-marking when I capture one in future.
(上写真)1995年12月の浜松航空祭で撮影した第41教育飛行隊のT-400です。


Raytheon U-125/-125A

Two versions of the BAe125-800 business jet entered JASDF service during the first half of the 1990's under the JASDF designations U-125 and U-125A. The U-125 is an navaides calibration aircraft for the Flight Check Group, which replaced with the MU-2J of the FCG. The U-125A is a search and rescue model for the Air Rescue Wing, which replaced with the MU-2S in the rescue role. A total of three U-125 (#041-#043) were delivered to JASDF during 1992-1994 and they are currently operated by the Flight Check Group based at Iruma. JASDF(ARW) has received a total of 28 U-125A SAR planes (#001-#028) so far since 1995 and they are currently operated by the ARW's ten rescue detachments at Chitose/Akita/Matsushima/Niigata/Komatsu/Hyakuri/Hamamatsu/Ashiya/Nyutabaru/Naha and the Air Rescue Training Squadron at Komaki.

U-125
29-3041
@ Kanoya
13MAY95

(above photo) This U-125 #041 was displayed at Kanoya airshow in May 1995. The Flight Check Group badge appears in the forward fuselage.
(上写真)1995年5月の鹿屋航空祭で撮影した飛行点検隊の041号機です。

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U-125A
22-3019
@ Hyakuri
08SEP13

(above photo) This U-125A #019 of the Air Rescue Wing Det.Hyakuri was displayed at Hyakuri airshow in September 2013. The Air Rescue Wing badge appears in the forward fuselage.
(上と左写真)2013年9月の百里航空祭で撮影したU-125Aの019号機です。小生にとってはこれがU-125Aとの最初の出会いでした。水色の迷彩も気に入ったし、なかなかカッコイイ飛行機でした。

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inserted by FC2 system
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