Page 28 - AirForces - Monthly (February 2020)

NEWS Special

Phantom

farewell at Hyakuri

As Japan prepares he base at Hyakuri with the Teisatsu Kokutai programme, the simulated and arrived by air in Japan on
to bid farewell to T is home to the last (Reconnaissance Air Group) air-to-ground gunnery was July 25, 1971; the remainder
two F-4 Phantom II
its last Phantoms, squadrons within the Japan and its famous 501 Hikotai, particularly impressive. were completed under
The JASDF selected the
.
licence by Mitsubishi Heavy
flying ‘recce Rhinos’
enthusiasts had a Air Self-Defense Force Around 70,000 people McDonnell Douglas F-4 Industries. F-4EJ 17-8440,
final chance to see (JASDF). Under 7 Kokudan flocked to the base over the Phantom II in 1968. Based completed by Mitsubishi on
(7 Air Wing), 301 Hikotai (301
weekend of November 30/
on the F-4E, a total of 140
May 21, 1981, was the last of
the type in action Squadron) flies the F-4EJ December 1, for a last chance F-4EJs were delivered. Only the 5,195 Phantoms built. The
at an air festival at Kai and the Kawasaki T-4, to see the Phantom on public the first two aircraft were F-4EJs eventually equipped
Hyakuri Air Base sharing the base’s facilities display. Within the flying built in St Louis, Missouri a total of six squadrons.
In 1982, the JASDF
at the end of last announced a programme
year. Benoît Denet to modernise its F-4EJ to
F-4EJ Kai standard. This
was at Hyakuri, 50 included an additional 2,000
miles (80km) north hours of flight time for the
airframe, installation of a
of Tokyo, home to new AN/APG-66J radar
Japan’s final F-4s. derived from that used in
the F-16A and an AN/ASN-
Right: One of the last RF-4EJs 141 inertial navigation system
leads a pair of RF-4Es and (INS) similar to that found
three F-4EJ Kais during the in the F-15J. The aircraft
airshow. Below: An RF-4EJ had its bombing computer
(note the standard F-4E nose) improved and other new
leads out a pair of RF-4Es at systems installed included
Hyakuri in November. hands on throttle and stick
All images Benoît Denet (HOTAS) controls, head-

28 // February 2020 #383 www.Key.Aero

03/01/2020 09:15:15
28-29 Hyakuri AFM Feb2020.indd 28 03/01/2020 09:15:15
28-29 Hyakuri AFM Feb2020.indd 28