Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

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RiceFlyer787
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Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by RiceFlyer787 »

Hi fellas,

As you would probably all be aware we are in the final year of Japanese phantom operations and I would like to get a shot of these things, never having to seen a flying phantom before in my life.

So I was just wondering, which days of the week are the best day to go to Ibaraki?

Thanks in advance!
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by Fishbed_9307 »

RiceFlyer787 wrote:Hi fellas,

As you would probably all be aware we are in the final year of Japanese phantom operations and I would like to get a shot of these things, never having to seen a flying phantom before in my life.

So I was just wondering, which days of the week are the best day to go to Ibaraki?

Thanks in advance!
The usually fly their asses of from Monday through Friday but you might be unlucky if you hit a non-flying day. Don't go there in the last week of March or the first week of April. I was there in mid-April and we were told that they did not fly for ten days in a row in the period around the beginning of the new fiscal year (April 1st). Also be careful going there in May as there are a lot of public holidays in May.

Go get them!

Regards, Paul
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by tbower40 »

I'm planning to go Dec 2, 2018 for the air show. Would they be flying normal operations on Monday December 3rd? Just wondering if it's worth it to stay an extra day.

Trevor
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by Fishbed_9307 »

tbower40 wrote:I'm planning to go Dec 2, 2018 for the air show. Would they be flying normal operations on Monday December 3rd? Just wondering if it's worth it to stay an extra day.

Trevor
Most likely nothing going on on Monday 3rd.
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by tbower40 »

Thank you for the heads up on that.
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by DMS JUAN »

I will go to Japan Monday 26th November till 2nd of December to Hyakuri to photograph the F-4 Phantoms.
That is the best time to go I think.
In my opinion if you want to see 302 Sqn F-4E's flying you better go before the airshow, friday 30 November will be the best operational day. 302 Sqn will be disbanded on the 2nd of December. Monday 3rd of December fly activity will be very low.
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by Worldnis »

Fishbed_9307 wrote:
RiceFlyer787 wrote:Hi fellas,

As you would probably all be aware we are in the final year of Japanese phantom operations and I would like to get a shot of these things, never having to seen a flying phantom before in my life.

So I was just wondering, which days of the week are the best day to go to Ibaraki?

Thanks in advance!
The usually fly their asses of from Monday through Friday but you might be unlucky if you hit a non-flying day. Don't go there in the last week of March or the first week of April. I was there in mid-April and we were told that they did not fly for ten days in a row in the period around the beginning of the new fiscal year (April 1st). Also be careful going there in May as there are a lot of public holidays in May.

Go get them!

Regards, Paul
I was unlucky with a non-flying day on Mon Aug 20th but had 11 flyers on Tue 21st including three RFs in three different c/s. The special colour 302Sq F-4EJ was revealed on the 24th and is flying now
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by Starman »

Just confirming previous posts, bases with open days (on Sundays) normally get the Monday off instead.
In reply to the original post from young Mr Licefryer, if you leave now you could be there tomorrow, what in the world could beat a week at Hyakuri!
DMS JUAN
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by DMS JUAN »

RiceFlyer787 wrote:Hi fellas,

As you would probably all be aware we are in the final year of Japanese phantom operations and I would like to get a shot of these things, never having to seen a flying phantom before in my life.
501 Sqn and 301 Sqn will fly on in 2019. 2019 will be the last year of flying operations of JASDF F-4 Phantoms.
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by tbower40 »

Would there be rehearsal flights on Saturday December 1st for all aircraft involved in the Sunday, December 2nd air show?
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by Fishbed_9307 »

DMS JUAN wrote:
RiceFlyer787 wrote:Hi fellas,

As you would probably all be aware we are in the final year of Japanese phantom operations and I would like to get a shot of these things, never having to seen a flying phantom before in my life.
501 Sqn and 301 Sqn will fly on in 2019. 2019 will be the last year of flying operations of JASDF F-4 Phantoms.
I heard that 2019 will be the final year for 301 and 2020 for 501.
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by tbower40 »

Question regarding the upcoming farewell for the 302 squadron. After the air show on December 2nd will the squadron no longer fly the F -4's or will they still be flying in January and February before they move to a new aircraft and base?

Thanks in advance.

Trevor
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by RiceFlyer787 »

The show was great on Sunday, however Saturday appears to be the day if you wanted good weather!
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by Mike_Steffen »

Hi guys

Just planning my 4th trip to Japan but I have mostly visited civil airports in the past.

I was just wondering if some of the Phantoms are still active at the beginning of this October.

Pardon my ignorance but like I said, I am normally a civil-spotter and I just don't know better :D
Many thanks in advance.

Mike
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Re: Hyakuri (Ibaraki) air base phantoms

Post by tbower40 »

How long after the Dec 1, 2019 Hyakuri Air Show will the base be back to normal flying activity? I have heard the day after, Monday, will be limited flying. Would Tuesday thru Friday be a good time to visit if I can't make the air show?
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