Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3906
Japan T-4 Trainer 66-5744, 31st TSQ, 1st AW, JASDF
 
General Background
The Kawasaki T-4 is a subsonic intermediate jet trainer used by the JASDF. In November 1981 Kawasaki was awarded the contract to produce 220 T-4s with the actual final production number being 208. The aircraft was designed to replace the Lockheed T-33 and Fuji T-1. The first prototype flew on July 29, 1985 with the first production aircraft flying in June 1988 and delivery of the first T-4 to the 31st and 32nd Flying Training Squadrons, 1st Air Wing 3 months later.
 
The Aircraft
Kawasaki T-4 Trainer 66-5744 “Hawk 60”, of 31st TSQ, 1st AW, JASDF. The T-4 was designed as a replacement for the aging Lockheed T-33. In 1988 the first squadron to receive the new trainers was the 31st Training Squadron (Kikotai) of the 1st Air Wing (Kokudan) based at the Hamamatsu Air Base. The 31st TSQ is named “Blue Dolphin” while the second training squadron the 32nd is named “Red Dolphin”. Hamamatsu Air Base was originally established in 1925. In 1952 it became a flight training school.