FighterControl

Well while I was heading over to Japan for a 2 week wildlife photography trip I planned to arrive a week ahead of the main trip to spend a few days at Hyakuri aswell
as a few days wandering around Tokyo.
Weather extremely unseasonal with me even getting some sunburn due to some lovely weather for the middle of February!
There was a good reason for my planning to visit Hyakuri on this trip,partly because it would be the last time that the base would be home to the F-15`s of 305 Hikotai
before they relocate to Nyutabaru with 301 Hikotai arriving in their place,also I was gambling on another TDY taking place that has happened for the last few years in February...could I time it right???

1/Blue Toom


2/An RF-4E devoid of markings heads off for servicing...another example would arrive back in its place later that day


3/F-4EJ of 302 Hikotai on departure


4/RF-4E of 501 Hikotai on departure,unfortunately just after the glorious morning sun had been hidden behind clouds


5/RF-4EJ pair recover


6/RF-4E touch n go


7/305 Hikotai F-15J departure


8/


9/


10/visiting UH-1


11/Visiting Iruma based CH-47 against a cracking sky


Then the main event and I found out the day before I was due to fly from my Japanese friend that these guys were arriving the day after I landed in Japan :Yahoo!:

12/


13/Hiko Kyodogun or Aggressor`s Eagles!


14/


15/


16/


17/Nightime sortie


18/


19/


20/


21/


22/


23/A few toggers


Aplologies for the number of images !

Ross

Hi Ross,

Number 11 is absolutely cracking. Those colours are incredible. Got to love the colour schemes in the F15's too.

Great upload, thanks for sharing.

Dave

11 and 13 stunning

Great shots.
You just gotta love the Japanese planes.

Some Cracking Stuff Ross , Once Again You Excell , Keep Em Coming My Friend!!!!


Cheers "GAZZA"

What a stunning post of awesome jets - thanks for posting

Nice seeing some colourful F-15's and looks VERY photographer friendly.

A great post
Andy

Wow!

Cracking set. The standard on this site is scarily high.

Wow! Staggering set..love the Japanese colour schemes! Those Phantoms though..phooooaaarrrrrr......

Absolutely stunning, I love the Blue Toom !!

Great and razorsharp images Ross! I just can't choose a favourite!

That was what you call a spotting trip phantastic

Superb - love the Phantoms

Stunning selection of images, all beautifully sharp. The aggressor Eagles and those Blue Phantoms are awesome

My pick is 19, the green Eagle against that backdrop is perfect

Seriously great post

Tooms have it by a mile, IMHO

Thanks for sharing real aircraft

Paddyboy

Outstanding!!! Thanks for sharing.

Ross there's something wrong with your pictures, some of them are not Phantoms. Lovely set of photos.

Wow these are brilliant, I could look at these for hours

Phantoms & Eagles are my favourite aircraft

Thanks for sharing

Cheers

Martin

These pics are so cool that I have to leave a second comment!

I went to Japan in '99 with Touchdown and it has to be one of the best countries to do civil and mil but compared to these my pics look like they were taken with an instamatic.