Background
Dai 8 Hikotai
(or 8 TFS as the sqn prefers to be named) was formed on 29 Oct 1960 at
Matsushima AB with F-86s under 4 Kokudan. After a few changes of bases and
wings, the squadron finally transferred to 3 Kokudan at Komaki AB and in 1978
moved to it’s current base at Misawa alongside Dai 3 Hikotai. Along the way
the squadron had picked up the Fighter Support role together with 3 and 6 SQNs (
6 SQN is at Tsuiki AB in the south) in the late 60s. It was the 2nd
squadron to begin conversion to the indigenous Mitsubishi F-1 on 30 June 1979.
The squadron adopted the ‘Panthers’ nickname and badge in 1983.
With the F-1
running out of hours and the delays with the F-2 program, the JASDF decided to
put the low hours F-1s thru an ASIP (Aircraft Structural Integrity Program) and
redistribute the aircraft among 3 and 6 SQNs to last till both squadrons
received the new F-2, whilst 8 SQN would convert to Phantoms; the last JASDF
unit to do so. The first operational F-2 squadron, 3 SQN, fully re-formed on the
F-2 on 27 Mar 2001 with 19 aircraft on strength. 6 SQN should probably follow
suit by next year, leaving 8 SQN to soldier on with the mighty Phantom for a
while longer.
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On 17 Mar 1998,
bands were playing at 2 bases. At the ceremony in Komatsu, the 306 SQN (Golden
Eagles) flag was handed over to the incoming Eagle drivers and the Phantom
drivers launched amid much emotions and fanfare. Once airborne, the Phantoms
formed 4 ship formations and passed over Komatsu heading northbound for colder
climates. At Misawa, all was ready to usher in a new chapter in the illustrious
history for 8 SQN. Landing amidst a gentle snowfall, the crews were formally
received and welcomed as 8 SQN (Panthers). For the trivia fan, all Phantoms
launched with 3 bags and 2 ASM-1 missiles or 3 bags and J/ALQ-131 with the 306
SQN markings painted out. The squadron wasted no time in painting their
characteristic black panther markings on the tails. 8 SQN together with 301 SQN
at Nyutabaru and 302 SQN at Naha, are the last of a once huge Phantom fleet
which was the backbone of the JASDF in the 70s and 80s.
In Sep 2002, at
the Misawa Air Festival (open house!), 8 SQN unveiled what will be last paint
scheme to see service with the JASDF Phantom fleet, 27-8305 sporting the 2 tone
maritime scheme used by the F-2. The obvious reason for a scheme change from the
normal 2 tone grays was the change of role from air defense to maritime strike
(FS to be politically correct!), 8 SQN having the same mission as co-located 3
SQN with their F-2s. Another reason I guess would be logistic-wise it was less
of a headache to keep only one type of paint!
There have been
2 variations to the blue scheme:
The first was
simply painted over the gray without a strip down and all the markings and
stencils masked over. Hence all the stencils have a gray background as well as
the tail numbers.
The second was
a completely new paint job with all the stencils applied in light gray and with
black tail numbers. Aircraft 47-8328 and 57-8354 being photographed at the 2003
ACM Meet in this variation. This scheme is definitely the better looking of the
two without the patchy appearance of the first. Not all aircraft have been
painted in this scheme at the moment although it is a matter of time as each one
goes thru maintenance.
Phantoms in 8
SQN service carries the same armament as the F-2. Air to ground weapons are the
ASM-1/2 antiship missiles. JLAU-3/A rockets, Mk-82s and CBU-87/Bs. GCS-1 IR
guided bombs may also be carried but are seldom seen. A load of 2 ASMs or 6 cans
of rockets are most common. Air to air weapons are the AIM-7Ms, AIM-9Ls and
AAM-3s. Of course the usual 640 rounds of 20mm HEI is standard. J/ALQ-131
protection jammers are also carried on strike missions, the Phantom not having a
built in IEWS like the F-2.
The
Kit
This is the
excellent Hasegawa 1/48 F-4 EJ Kai kit built OOB with a mixture of the kit’s
and other decals. The kit builds up well despite it’s age with only putty
needed one area: the part where the wing meets the fwd fuselage at the bottom.
The canopy is quite worn out with some of the frames missing but still fits
well, just be careful when you mask to spray and make sure you don’t end with
no frames cos you forgot to add them yourself! Hasegawa has molded in the RWR
parts to represent a Kai as well as changed the instrument panels. This is where
my grips are. The Kai front cockpit has an enlarged glareshield and instrument
panel to accommodate the new MFD while Hasagawa chose to do the upgrade in the
existing panel. Hence the MFD is the size of a dial and the glareshield does not
have the squared off look of the real thing. At least they gave you a new HUD!
Detailers should have fun in this area. I also added the AOA vane on the R/H
nose. All Phantoms have it and it’s surprising it was not provided as Hasegawa
molds an AOA on both sides of their short-nosed Phantoms!! The kit’s decals
were also very thick and I think it shows in the pics.
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The ASM-1 came
from the Fujimi F-1 kit and doesn’t accurately portrays an ASM-1 but until
Hasegawa comes out with a weapons set, it’s the only game in town. Cos scratch
building is another option but with what was to come, I decided I don’t need
more challenges! The rockets, TER, ALQ-131 and Sparrows are all Hasegawa with
the rocket blast cones hollowed out from the pod caps. Yes those are live
missile markings on inert Sparrows and yes they do paint them like that! I’m
also seen them painted like the real thing for use during exercises and combat
meets!. Only alert birds carry 2 live ‘winders on their rails. Maybe it adds
to the realism or something? The load out is not an operational one but more
common at air shows to show the capabilities of the aircraft. The Sparrows were
a last minute addition to liven up the colors!
I had chosen to
do the first scheme as I didn’t wanted to waste my 8 SQN Anniversary decals
for the gray stencils and I thought since I had 3 sheets of TwoBobs
F-15DJ Aggressor decals I could spare one for the masked off stencils. How wrong
I was!!
The paints were
mixed using Gunze’s Mr Color to match photos. For modelers wanting FS matches,
you can refer to Hasegawa’s F-2 instructions. Weathering was a combination of
pre-shading, pastels and washing. The panther marking came from the
1/48 T-4 kit while formation lights came from the old D&S formation
light sheet. The hair-pulling and lots of swearing part was applying all the
stencils given in the kit! I didn’t realized a Phantom had that many access
panels! Here’s how I did it: First I applied all the main markings, then I
applied some of the kit’s gazillion stencils followed by taking a break and
making the Mirage! After which I applied the rest of the kit’s stencils and TwoBobs’
stencils over the kit’s black stencils. Extra work I know but as least I
didn’t have to worry about figuring out the positions and alignment. I did the
tail numbers the same way.
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As you can see
I didn’t apply the decals to the whole aircraft as on the real thing. Reason
being I was going nuts from applying so many small decals and I had run out of
decals as well! I had at this point used up almost 3 aircraft worth (about 1 ½
sheets!) and only covered about 60-70% of the kit! I just couldn’t spare any
more (I have 3 Aggressors to do). So I stopped and left the rest as it is,
including the entire bottom. I think despite the omission, it still captures the
patchy look of the aircraft well. All that’s needed is a nice sharkmouth me
thinks!
A note here
about the serial number: I have not seen 97-8416 in this scheme nor in 8 SQN
service but rather it’s a liberty I had taken as I had to used the kit’s
serial cos I don’t have any decals in the correct font or size (no printer
too). It has been noted in 306 SQN so it might have been transferred over. And
as the Phantoms in JASDF service are rotated between storage and active aircraft
to maximize hours, it’s not uncommon to see a particular aircraft in different
markings at different times. E.g. 97-8414 has been seen in the markings of 8,
306 and 302 SQNs!
Well it’s
another long one yet again! Hope Steve doesn’t ban me from ARC!
I thought the background might be a good idea cos there’s a dearth of
information about the JASDF in the West, and most of what’s written is in
Japanese so this might help out those who are interested in what’s going on in
Japan. The write-up is based on various issues of J-Wings, FAOW 82 and Koku
Jietai no F-2. Any errors are all mine as my Japanese is not really that great
and I welcome any corrections.
Cheers!
Andy
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