Jasdf Hawker-mitsubishi 'ryoushi'

[AeroplaneDriver]

Since we're getting into the last day of this incarnation of the Forum, I'm not going to worry about keeping this in the build thread.  You guys know where to find it.

So, her it is, my first model of 2008.

I'll get more pics up on the new forum next weekend (I hope!)

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When all F-104 deliveries were temporarily suspended  during the investigation of  a rash of inflight breakups in August 1962, Japan issued an urgent requirement for a stopgap fighter.  

The British proposal to immediately lease 24 RAF Hunter FGA.9s, with an option to  license Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to  build a further 88 was selected in November 1962.

The first of the ex-RAF FGA.9s arrived two months later in January 1963.  The type proved popular with the JASDF, and the option to license build was exercised in December 1963, with the original 24 RAF machines being purchased outright at the end of their lease in 1965.  The Hunter was seen as an ideal aircraft by the JSDF.  It was rugged and simple, had room for local improvements, and at a time when public opinion in Japan was strongly against any armed forces at all, the graceful, subsonic Hunter presented a better public image than the Flaming Tubes of Death being offered by Dassault, Lockheed, English Electric, McDonnell, and Convair.

The Hunter was known in JASDF service as the 'Ryoushi', a direct translation of 'Hunter'.   The JASDF took delivery of a total of 111 Hunters, including the original 24 from Britain.  The FGA.9 was optimized for offensive ground attack operations, but to comply with the strict constraints of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution the only weapons fitted initially were the ADEN cannon and the US AIM-9B Sidewinder AAM.  As these restrictions eased through the life of the Ryoushi other weapons were added to the inventory, and by the end of its service life in 1984 the Ryoushi was capable of carrying bombs unguided rockets, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles in the anti-shipping role.

This Ryoushi, one of the original RAF FGA.9s was the eighth example delivered in 1963.  It is shown in late 1965 wearing the new pattern camouflage and the markings of 4th Sqn, 6th Air Wing.  It has been upgraded with Japanese avionics.  This aircraft served until May 1975 when it was lost over the Sea of Japan due to a catastrophic engine failure.  The pilot ejected safely, and was rescued by a fishing vessel.





Excuse the crude attempt to remove the stand in this pic!!

[AeroplaneDriver]

One more pic.



The blue on the upper surface is much bluer in real life than these pics.  Hopefully I can take some better ones that convey that (the color is USN Intermediate Blue).

As much as I ranted about being frustrated by this kit, it wasnt that bad.  I kinda enjoyed it really, and looking at the end result, I cant wait to add another to the stash.  If I had built it on the heels of something like a Monogram F-100 or an old Airfix I would be ranting about how it is the pinnacle of styrene engineering.  The detail is very nice, and the fit is excellent in a lot of areas.  It's just that coming at this two weeks after a Revell 1/72 Hunter showed the kit's weaknesses.  Still, now that I know those areas, I'll enjoy the next one much more.

[Maverick]

Sweet Hunter AD, really looks Sharp!

Mav

[BlackOps]

What model stand?  

Really nice work AD, I enjoyed the how to for the paint too

[AeroplaneDriver]

:jawdrop: Me Likey Jeff!!

[bluntie]

Well done that man!! :salute:
Honestly AD, that is THE nicest Hunter i have ever seen.
And a pretty tidy backstory to boot
Keep 'em commin'  

[NARSES2]

Beautiful job    

[Mike Wren]

another stunner!    

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Any more Hunter's from you Mr Driver and I'm gonna have to relinquish my handle !

Superb, Nick, simply superb..... and quick too !

Ian

[Scooterman]

That ROCKS!
 


'nuff said.

[Rafael]

Simplicity is Elegance and Beauty, embodied in this awesome build

Great model!!!  

Rafa

[John Howling Mouse]

Gorgeous.  And, Jeff, that photographic treatment is the icing on the cake!

   

[noxioux]

Wow.  There's just something cool about that giant meatball on the side.  Very well done!

[Mossie]

This is one different Hunter! Even though the Hunter served with a plethora of nations, most tended to keep the standard British paint schemes, almost the F-16 of it's day (how DARE I!!! ).  It's great to see any Hunters in schemes off the norm.

[Dork the kit slayer]

another nice build....gets my vote.