Day 4, Hyakuri, 02/11
 The
next morning we woke up as the sun was just rising and the
morning fog was still hanging over the fields that we did
not see when we arrived in the dark some hours ago. We also
did not see that cemetery some 50 meters away!!! Quickly we
got in the car, were looking for the next coffee distributor,
that we found nearby the main gate of Hyakuri airbase,
and had a look around the airbase.
Our first photo that day was one of a dumped T-33, and I even
forgot to mention, we had once again a splendid morning with
a glorious blue sky! Might we be able to get the green Recce
RF-4E(J) Phantoms after the blue ones at Misawa yesterday?
Looking around the airfield we noticed that some thing had
changed and spots that were still mentioned on our maps were
no longer accessible. As we were keen on taking some taxi
shots we searched and finally found a nice spot. Before going
there  we
had a look on the ramp and all three Hikotais (204 & 305
with F-15(D)J Eagles and 501 with RF-4E(J)) did roll out their
jets off the hangars.
On the spot we took nice photos of 3 F-15s that taxied to
the last chance, but did not take of from the runway and rolled
back to their hangars. Also there was no Phantom activity
and were therefore not very motivated to photography the T-4
trainers that circled and the two C-1 that landed in the morning.
Sitting, waiting, sleeping we spent the morning. The countrymen
that were working not far away were surely a bit puzzled because
of us. And we were even more surprised when the countrywomen
approached us and gave each of us a tangerine and something
to drink! What a nice gesture. Around midday the light became
worse and worse and we said goodbye to the countrymen and
changed our position.
----
----
----
|
----
----
----
----
|
  During
the afternoon we finally took some nice photos of F-15s, but
only one RF-4EJ was taking of with no sun. So even with a
lot of Eagles we were not completely satisfied and already
decided that we needed to come back here because of the excellent
photo positions and the missing Phantoms on this day. We also
had our check at this position- finally, as we have been awaiting
it already in the morning. At that spot we met also some British
spotters with whom we have also spend the afternoon on Misawa.
----
----
----
----
|
----
----
----
---- |
----
----
----
----
|
----
----
---- |
When we left this spot we also saw a 'dump' with several
heavily weatherd helicopters.  As
we wanted to approach them we quickly realized that they were
guarded by some aggresive guarddogs. Fortunately they were
on chains, but we also preferred to take he photos with our
telelenses.
We drove back towards Tokyo afterwards and had our first impression
of this mega city while we drove round the city and saw nothing
but houses and traffic jams, the latter ones fortunately on
the other lane! Our target that day was to get as close as
possible to Iruma, where the airshow was held the next day.
Finding a love hotel was impossible; because of the bank holiday
a lot of couples seemed to enjoy the night not at home. Bad
luck for us three men, but we finally managed to find a business
hotel near a train station.
A real hotel, perfect after the last night in the car...
-> Iruma Airshow
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)