Hobby Master Archive

In 1973 the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) began receiving the first of 154 F-4EJ Phantoms. 138 of these aircraft were manufactured under license by Mitsubishi who produced the last F-4 Phantom II. In 1984 an F-4EJ modernization program labeled “KAI” was begun. The J.A.S.D.F 8th SQ “Black Panthers”, 3rd AW is one of 2 squadrons stationed at Misawa Air Base. In 2003 the Air Combat Meet held at Misawa was won by F-4EJ Kai 57-8354 from the 8th Squadron. The ACM is similar to the NATO Tiger meet.