First Visit to Tokyo, Japan - April 2015 - Part I

[Heal1979]

Hello,

Between the 12th and 18th of April this year Jon Haylock and I visited Japan for the first time. In particular, we visited the Tokyo area which plays host to the airbases Hyakuri, Atsugi and Iruma. All are within a reasonable distance of each other (well, a 3-hour drive anyway).

Having seen many images (mostly from this forum) on Hyakuri we simply had to go get some Phantom! We planned to be at Hyakuri for the week but if weather and time allowed, a trip to Astugi and/or Iruma would be in order.

The images below represent part one of the trip at Hyakuri. Before we left the UK we knew that Monday and Tuesday would be difficult, with heavy rain forecast for each day. This provided different opportunities photographically, but we crossed our fingers for good weather from Wednesday onwards...

1.
RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 47-6901, 501 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
2.
RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 47-6901, 501 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
3.
F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 07-8435, 302 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
4.
F-15J Eagle, 62-8870, 305th Sqn by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
5.
F-15J Eagle, 'when will it end?' by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
6.
F-15J Eagle, 62-8870, 305th Sqn by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
7.
F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 47-6901, 302 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
8.
RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 57-6907, 501 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
9.
RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 57-6907, 501 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
10.
Kawasaki T-4 26-5688, 06-5630 by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
11.
F-15J Eagle, 42-8831, 305th Sqn by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
12.
U-125A, (BAe.125), 12-3018, Hyakuri Rescue Wing by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
13.
F-15J Eagle, 62-8870, 305th Sqn by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
14.
RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 57-6912, 501 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
15.
RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 47-6901, 501 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
16.
Kawasaki T-4 by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
17.
RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 57-6909, 501 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
18.
F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 67-8378, 302 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
19.
Tornado Eagle, 32-8060, 305th Sqn by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
20.
F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 67-8378, 302 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
21.
F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 07-8434, 302 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
22.
F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 67-8378, 302 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
23.
U-125A, (BAe.125), 72-3006, Hyakuri Rescue Wing by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
24.
F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 302 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr
25.
RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II, 47-6901, 501 Hikotai by www.chphotography.co.uk, on Flickr

Thanks to Jon for the company and banter; Ryo (buffalo79/flickr) for all his advice, meeting us at Hyakuri and buying us dinner; Junji Sato of the Japan Spotters Association for booking us in at the Peace Gate; and Steve Cooke for allowing me to borrow his 5DIII as a back-up camera! Finally, thanks to all the guys on here that responded to my questions about Japan making the planning easy going - it all made for a simply awesome trip!

If it's on your mind to go, my advice is stop thinking about it and board that plane

If you're interested keep an eye out for part II... much more to come...

Thanks for looking,

Cheers,
Chris

[duran212]

Wonderful shots !!!

[Paultojo]

Phablous

[Jazz]

Killer shots, 8&9 especially
Big inspiation to get back there

[KINROTATE]

Nice jets.

[Ross Forsyth]

Excellent set of images Chris,been looking forward to your trip images.

Hopefully meet up with Ryo in just over a week now,sounds like my trip is very similar to your own.
Personally think the weather has given something very different from the normal shots here and some great processing by you.

Ross

[nightwatch]

Stunning ! Also very informative, and food for thought for anyone who has an historical interest in the USAF, and it's influence after WW2. A great showcase of some so-called Cold War jets in full and effective use. Lovely photos.

Jes.

[lardyboy999]

Did you hear that thump?

That was my jaw hitting the floor.

Enough said, eh?

[Ridge Runner]

Excellent! No.19 for me!

[CookyBoy]

Lovely mate, i'll sort out the rental charge for the 5D3 when i next see you! Lol

[Ridge Runner]

I take back my earlier comment ..... They are ALL excellent! The rainy conditions add some great atmosphere and drama.

Martin

[The Phantom]

Phantastic post

[james.25]

Stunning!

I'm not jealous at all!......

[lars]

Awsome pictures, only for Hyakuri I think it was worth while the journey !

[Velvet Glove]

F-4’s in camo. Love ‘em!!!

[david14]

Great post - looking forward to pt 2

[powerslave]

Great shots,am thinking of maybe doing the trip one day,i'm interested in all the planning it took you yo get there.
Things like where did you stay while you was round there,what's it like driving there.How to find and then contact the old lady,things like that.

Ian

[paddyboy]

Phwooaarrgghh Chris

Ol' Dubly Ugly still rules

Superb shots of the old beast

The rest ain't shabby, either, whatever they were

Best regards and thanks for making me drool

Paddyboy

[IanH]

A fine set indeed sir. Looks like a super trip. You did the subject matter much justice. Very well shot.

Best wishes, Ian

[LTFT5]

Awesome post Chris
Certainly convinced me that a week in the area is well worth it.
Stunning images but must say the shots in the rain are special.

All the best
Andy