Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-1>HA3403

General Background

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. T-2s were also used by a dedicated Aggressor Squadrons until they were replaced by F-15 Eagle.

The Aircraft

The “Blue Impulse” aerobatic demonstration team was founded in 1960. The first aircraft used was the F-86 Sabre until they re-equipped with the Mitsubishi T-2 in 1980. The team and their T-2s were located at Matsushima airbase from 1982 - 1995 as 4AW / 21SQ Technical Research Section. In 1995 the T-2 was traded for the new Kawasaki T-4 trainer. The team’s 175th performance using the T-2 was in December 1995. In 2003 the first of the T-2s were retired and the last one was in March 2006.

Specifications :

First Flight:	20th July 1971
Variants
T-2A:	Two-seat advanced jet trainer aircraft (59 delivered to the JASDF 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 take-off:	12,900 kg (28,440 lbs)
Dimensions
Length:	17.86 m (58.6 ft)
Wingspan:	7.88 m (25.9 ft)
Height:	4.39 m (14.4 ft)