Hi Guys, as promised, the delights of the Gifu Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum. This museum is by far the best aviation museum in Japan, with the broadest collection arc, from pioneer aircraft through to space hardware, with a wide range of eras represented in between. Its primary focus is aircraft associated with Gifu Airport itself, a major aerospace industry airport in Japan, with aviation giants Kawasaki and Mitsubishi having factories there over the years.
Kawasaki V-107A licence-built CH-46 at Gifu.
NAMC YS-11.
Shinmaywa US-1A.
Kawasaki P-2J Neptune licence-built P2V7 at Gifu and powered by two Ishikawajima-Harima T-64 turboprops and two Ishikawajima-Harima J-3 turbojet engines.
Wright 1903 Flyer replica.
Army Otsu-1 replica, which was a licence-built Salmson 2A2, which were built at Gifu.
The remains of an original Gifu-built Otsu-1.
Replica Hans Grade Monoplane, reputedly of the type that made the first unofficial flight by an aeroplane in Japan, five days before the first official flight by Army officers at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo.
Replica prototype of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, which made its first flight at Gifu on 1 April 1939.
Kawasaki Ki-61 II Kai, which I've posted already.
The Star of the Show at this museum for me.
Mitsubishi Ha 42 twin turbocharged 18 cylinder radial as fitted to the Ki-67 Hiryu bomber. The engine is on loan from the Smithsonian.
Shin Meiwa UF-SX experimental flying boat, this is a highly modified Grumman Albatross used to trial systems for the development of the Shin Meiwa, later Shinmaya US-1 previously seen. Shinmaywa is a direct descendant of the Kawanishi firm, which built the H8K flying boat, on which the hydrodynamics for this aircraft were based.
Kawasaki KAL-1, completed in 1953, it was the first aircraft built at Gifu after the end of World War Two.
Kawasaki KAT-1, an unsuccessful rival to the Beech T-34, which saw widespread use in the Japanese armed forces.
Itochu N-62 Eaglet, developed by students at Nihon University.
Brightly decorated Fuji T-1B.
Mitsubishi F-104J Starfighter.
Mitsubishi T-2.
More to come.
Kawasaki V-107A licence-built CH-46 at Gifu.
NAMC YS-11.
Shinmaywa US-1A.
Kawasaki P-2J Neptune licence-built P2V7 at Gifu and powered by two Ishikawajima-Harima T-64 turboprops and two Ishikawajima-Harima J-3 turbojet engines.
Wright 1903 Flyer replica.
Army Otsu-1 replica, which was a licence-built Salmson 2A2, which were built at Gifu.
The remains of an original Gifu-built Otsu-1.
Replica Hans Grade Monoplane, reputedly of the type that made the first unofficial flight by an aeroplane in Japan, five days before the first official flight by Army officers at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo.
Replica prototype of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, which made its first flight at Gifu on 1 April 1939.
Kawasaki Ki-61 II Kai, which I've posted already.
The Star of the Show at this museum for me.
Mitsubishi Ha 42 twin turbocharged 18 cylinder radial as fitted to the Ki-67 Hiryu bomber. The engine is on loan from the Smithsonian.
Shin Meiwa UF-SX experimental flying boat, this is a highly modified Grumman Albatross used to trial systems for the development of the Shin Meiwa, later Shinmaya US-1 previously seen. Shinmaywa is a direct descendant of the Kawanishi firm, which built the H8K flying boat, on which the hydrodynamics for this aircraft were based.
Kawasaki KAL-1, completed in 1953, it was the first aircraft built at Gifu after the end of World War Two.
Kawasaki KAT-1, an unsuccessful rival to the Beech T-34, which saw widespread use in the Japanese armed forces.
Itochu N-62 Eaglet, developed by students at Nihon University.
Brightly decorated Fuji T-1B.
Mitsubishi F-104J Starfighter.
Mitsubishi T-2.
More to come.