Additions to JASDF Hamamatsu Air Park
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Hamamatsu Air Base Museum or Air Park has plans for additional aircraft to be put up for display in 2021. According to floor-plans made public today, the museum is planning to include an F-4EJ Phantom and the Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin (formerly known as the ATD-X).
We do not know the exact type of Phantom which will be added to the collection. There could still be one Phantom present at Hamamatsu, RF-4EJ 47-6347 joined the 1st Technical School in September 2006 and is/was in use for instructional purposes, however it was last seen in October 2007.
Perhaps more appropriate contestants would be the first Phantom delivered to the JASDF (17-8301) or one of the former 301 or 302 Hikotai Phantoms in the special colours.
UPDATE 1 December 2020:
In the end the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) decided otherwise in their quest for an iconic F-4EJ Phantom to be included in the Hamamatsu Museum. Today, 1 December 2020, F-4EJ Kai 17-8440 was ferried from Hyakuri to Hamamatsu and was welcomed by the firebrigade upon entering the platform.
This Phantom was the last Mitsubishi built F-4EJ to be delivered to the JASDF on 20 May 1981, also making this the last built Phantom ever worldwide. It was delivered to Komatsu based 306 Hikotai where it served upto April 1990. During 1990-91 it had the ‘Kai’ modification and was re-delivered to 306 Hikotai. After the introduction of the F-15 Eagle this Phantom alternatively operated with 301 and 302 Hikotai, ending its operational career at Hyakuri with 301 Hikotai.
Mitsubishi X-2 51-0001 was transported from Gifu to Hamamatsu in August 2020. Flown for the first time in April 2016, it was withdrawn already in November 2017 after serving as a testbed for the research into stealth development .
In order to add these aircraft to the collection in the main exhibition hall, several other aircraft and helicopters have to be removed from the hall. According to documents, they will be stored in the open, on a small apron just west of the E-767 platform. The storage plan for these aircraft shows seven aircraft and two helicopers, it probably involves these types; DH115 Vampire, Beech 65, Fuji T-1A, T-6, T-33A, H-19C and S-62J.
Photos and images: Hamamatsu Air Park