Hobby Master Archive

The Mitsubishi T-2 is a two-engined two-seat jet trainer manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and was operated by the Japan Air Self Defense Force from 1975 - 2006. The flight instructor sat behind the student in a raised seat that allowed him to visually monitor the student’s actions. There was a windblast screen between them that created separate clamshell canopies for each person.

The base at Nyutabaru is home to the JASDF Air Training Command, Air Basic Training Wing and Flying Training Squadron. The Mitsubishi T-2 was introduced in 1975 and by 2006 all but a few aircraft had been retired. Eventually some T-2s were used as Aggressors and given a special paint scheme that consisted of a fake canopy being painted on the under side of the fuselage as well as the white around the red Hinomarus were painted over. The Hinomarus themselves were over sprayed a bit to make them less visible. The 2 digit nose numbers were painted in red to simulate those on the Soviet Union aircraft during the Cold War. The T- 2s had some bad spin characteristics leading to an excessively high rate of accidents. It was at this point that it was decided to replace the 8 T-2 Aggressors with the F-15DJ. Aircraft 69- 5127 “Red 27” has been preserved with its Hiko Kyodotai (Tactical Fighter Training Squadron) Aggressor paint scheme at the Nyutabaru Air Base.

Specifications for the Mitsubishi T-2 First Flight - 20th July 1971 Variants T-2A - Two-seat advanced jet trainer aircraft (59 delivered to the ASDF training squadron in 1975) T-2B - Two-seat armed weapons training aircraft. Total Production - 90 Presently out of production Crew - 2 Performance Power Plant - 2 x Turbofan Ishikawajima Harima TF-40-IHI-801A (Rolls- Royce/Turbomeca Ad each producing 32.5 kN 7306 lbf Speed - 1,700 km/h (918 kts / 1,056 mph) Service Ceiling - 15,200 m (49,869 ft) Range - 2,589 km (1,398 nm / 1,609 mi)

Weight Empty - 6,307 kg (13,905 lbs) Maximum Takeoff - 12,900 kg (28,440 lbs)

Dimensions Length - 17.86 m (58.6 ft) Wing Span - 7.88 m (25.9 ft) Height - 4.39 m (14.4 ft)

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3405 Japan T-2 “69-5127” Red 27, Aggressor Sqn., JASDF, 1988

Die-cast metal. Superb detailing in 1/72 scale. Pre-painted with pad applied markings. Fully assembled. Weapons that are not permanently attached. Comes with crew figures Display stand included. Option to display model with wheels up or down. Minimum use of plastic.