Day 8, Tsuiki Air Show, 06/11
 Another
big event and one reason  for
our trip: the Farewell Show of the Mitsubishi F-1 at Tsuiki.
Unfortunately the rain did continue dropping on the roof when
we woke up in our cold room on the rice mattress. Though it
was still 5am we got up quite quick and left the hostel half
an hour later. Getting up that early turned out to be a good
decision as the parking was already well occupied at 6.30
despite all the rain still pouring down. We were flabbergasted
because of so many people at that time and with that weather!!!
Later on we found in the program that the flying was scheduled
to begin at 8am, so the early arrival was clearer to us.
Farewell Mitsubishi F-1
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 But
at first we sat down in our car and were waiting. Waiting
for the rain to stop, the sun to come out, drinking some coffee
and we were also really unsure about what to do. As the windscreen
got foggy we finally decided to get "combat-ready",
packed the full equipment (bag packs, raincoats, stepladders)
and took a shuttle bus that brought us on the other side of
the runway were the apron and the static display was. This
proofed to be a good decision because the rain decreased from
time to time and the flying  really
started at 8am. The weather changed a lot that morning, from
some sunny spells during which we ran around and tried to
get some photos of the static display, to rain pouring down.
During that time we searched for cover in of the hangars right
beside an F-1 and even met some Japanese friends that we knew
from European shows. We had a nice chat and tried to make
the best of the day, as everyone else did as well. At least
the show was not that crowded as Iruma and everything was
more familiar. In between the rain I also headed out and was
looking for some F-1 patches, but unfortunately the rare "Last
year" ones had been sold out to the one in the queue
standing just one meter in the front of me :(…
| Fly-Out
Update: on March, 9th 2006 six Mitsubishi F-1 took
off from Tsuiki airbase for the last time shortly before
reaching 4000 flight hours on the respective airframes.
With their landing the nearly 30 year long history of
this aircraft uniquely employed within the JASDF came
to an end. |
Mitsubishi F-2A
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 Just
like the rare opening formation of an F-1, F-2 and F-15, representing
the three jet types based at Tsuiki, most of the flight display
in the morning was either cancelled or regarded from the
hangar. Fortunately a bit later it at least stopped raining
and we headed out to place ourselves in front of a row of
seven F-1. That was really great because they should participate
in the flight display and we could closely look at the start-up
preparations, which was one of the highlights of that show.
Excellent as well was the two-ship demo of the F-15J Eagles
with a marvellous take-off and great fly-bys. Two F-15 also
taxied towards the crowd line in the afternoon and a weapon
loading demonstration (4x Sidewinders and 4x Sparrows) was
presented. After it was completed they did not take-off, but
taxied back to their parking positions.
F-15 Demo
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 Unfortunately
the whole flight display was interrupted by showers during
which we ran for cover to the shelters and back when we heard
some jet engines again. Due to this it was impossible to get
the blue F-2 with sun, the same was for all displays of the
F-1, with the exception of the last jet taxiing back after
the last flight display of the day. One shed of sunlight nicely
illuminated the green and brown camouflage and we were happy!!
Hours of cold rain from above were forgotten, even if it stated
shortly afterwards once again. But at least we could get some
more photos of the static display in the meantime and leaving
the show was a bit easier for us after we knew that we got
at least some nice photos at one of the most important stops
during our trip!
Static Display
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 Of
course we were in the last bus back to the parking and used
the possibility to take some photos of the F-2 flightline
right beside the road. On the parking we had severe problems
locating our car at first but finally found it, because there
were not that many cars left.
What a show… We were soaked with water,
I was looking at the torn back of my trousers (the only one
which I took with me for the warm south), Patrick at his socks,
and Florian at both of us. Then we tried to arrange our stuff
in the car the best to let it dry until the next day and drove
out of the airfield. As we took the same way as with the bus
some minutes ago we drove really slowly and made some quick
stops taking photos of F-15s and a stored F-1 and T-33.
 Then
it was time to hit the road again. Fortunately it was only
around 4pm and we first stopped at a supermarket. To our surprise
the prices there were a lot cheaper than in the convenient
stores which we only knew until that time and we used the
possibility to by water, chips, cookies, even some fruits,
beer and also found some pizza. On the parking Florian dropped
his proudly purchased piece on the parking and we had a good
laugh on that.
 The
150km drive on country roads took us 5h with a small break
to get something to eat at a the most delicious "Hokka
Hokka Tei". In the middle of nowhere we entered the take-away
shop and three Japanese girls stared at the three of us, marked
by an exhausting airshow day and I had problems to hide my
torn trousers. With a lot of laughing and showing around the
menu we succeeded to get some good tasting "bentos"
with meat from the wok and rice.
 The
following part of the trip through the night was hard, especially
for Patrick, who nearly got sick because Andreas was driving
quite peppy through all the curves. At least until he demanded
a driver's change and proceeded in the same way. Of course
we also listened to our three favourite CDs during these long
hours on the road. If it wouldn't have been dark that part
would also have been very scenic, but in the night we could
unfortunately only get a small idea of the deep valleys through
which we were driving.
Close to Nyutabaru we found the "Sunrise"
love hotel (7000 Yen) and a look at the sky showed stars,
which was very very promising for the next day. Our room that
evening was fitted with a Polaroid machine that time, which
we did not inspect closely and preferred to go to bed, because
once again we had to get up early.
-> Nyutabaru / Kanoya
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