Tateyama Helicopter Festival Oct 2010.

[leonardm]

Hello All

In 2010 I was lucky to attend a few Japan Airshow/Open house events which up to now I haven't had the chance to post. I will try to post some over the next few weeks.

First up Tateyama Helicopter festival was held in October. Tateyama is a Navy helicopter base and it is what it says on the tin :- helicopters !

The weather was dreadful with rain and drizzle almost all of the day with the sun only appearing towards the end of the day however I was still pleased with some of the results. Due to the relative lack of crowds and small venue it was possible to stand in a hanger and watch the action under cover.

Some members might be interested to see this recent addition to the JMSDF fleet. The second Ch-101 to be delivered. Unfortunately it didn’t fly....



Illustration of the terrible conditions during most of the day.



Rescue UH-60J. I think someone has wet feet !



Highight for me was this Iwakuni based MH-53. Quite a beast ! Love the way the serial has been cleaned and the rest is filthy. Taxying out in the rain.



Opening flypast



A visit to the wash rack.





Returning from the flypast. Check out the flooded main ramp !





Finally the rain stops and the sun came out.





Local SH-60K with a pair of UH-60J in the background.



Visitors depart.



Atsugi based SH-60J:-



This one is from Komatsushima airbase which makes it relatively "rare"



Unfortunately like the CH-101 the MH-53 didn’t leave in the great evening sunlight but was packed up and towed into a hanger.

[chrisward123]

Very Interesting thread,

I love the look at that filthy MH-53, really is a beast.
The CH-101 also looks good but I prefer the look of the RAF ones.
Favourite shot is the taxiing MH-53 with the flooded ramp

Thanks for Posting.

Christian

[TonyO]

Lovely to see a proper helicopter event over there, a great set in very testing conditions!

[JohnF]

Great colour schemes. Love the UH and SH-60 photos. Would be great to see some Japanese aircraft visiting shows in the UK. Another super set from Japan.

[DeanW]

Nice, very nice. That MH-53 is an absolute beast! Are those mirrors that stick out infront of, and below, the cockpit?

[SPLAT]

The mirrors are for viewing the mine sledge at the back of the Helo,you can just see it poking out at the back .

[nigelblake]

Thats a fine set of images, Japanese stuff always looks great with paint schemes are a modellers dream!

[Arno 01]

Great set again, shame it was such a wet day, but still some great shots, thanks for posting

[Epic Formacion]

These get my vote. Great shots.

[chally2]

What an excellent set, especially considering the conditions, and schemes that are for me not oft seen

Rainy Seahawk trio (No.2) and the paddling CH-53 for me, and the Merlin looks good however it is dressed

[colper]

Excellent set,certainly a couple of mean looking machines there.
Always nice to see pictures from other parts of the world

Colin

[shaggie]

lovely to see these ,have such a soft spot for the 53's

[swingy]

Very interesting thanks for posting