F-4 Hunting, Hyakuri Style Part 1,2 +3 and very pic heavy)

[AB52 FLY]

Thanks for the quick reply and superb info Dave, we are certainly looking forward to our trip. I'm sure we will think of something else to ask you.

Regards
Colin

[HeyfordDave111]

Thanks for the quick reply and superb info Dave, we are certainly looking forward to our trip. I'm sure we will think of something else to ask you.

Regards
Colin

no problem mate, glad to be of help for anyone that wants to go.
cheers
Dave

[MiG_Eater]

What's up with the fuel tank on picture number 1?

[iainpeden]

What's up with the fuel tank on picture number 1?

The Japanese reworked some of their Es to carry a recon pod, painted them in the dark gray/green scheme - and confusingly call them RF-4Es. (IIRC)

[MiG_Eater]

Interesting.

It looks so odd!

[McG]

Dave,

Looks like your trip was a great success - plenty of great shots despite the issues you had with the weather.

Regards,

Mark

[Stagger2]

Nice shots & great variety of angles! Is that 'new' tower at the Peace Gate as unstable as it looks?
PS:- Where did you leave your ladder? Could be needing one soon to see over the fence on the Ibaraki Airport side.

[HeyfordDave111]

Nice shots & great variety of angles! Is that 'new' tower at the Peace Gate as unstable as it looks?
PS:- Where did you leave your ladder? Could be needing one soon to see over the fence on the Ibaraki Airport side.

Cheers mate,

I thought the 'new'one would be but its rock solid, braced with angle poles all the way round and even anchored by cables.

3 of us at the top (my friend and i, plus an Japanese chap) were no problem and i think with the trap door (you'll see if you go) placed over the access hole you could get 5 or 6 up there reasonably well.

dont forget there are 4/5 levels to visit on that tower, but although its great, after a while it can get a bit 'samey' so the fence with steps is recommended, or even the shed roof, or towers 1 &2, or locations around the base.

My steps were lent to me by 'Times' car rentals and were left there by past visitors to Hyakuri and they have more than a few. Also there are some in the compound, and even some left on the far side of the airfield fence line.

If your a thin chap, (unlike me, alas) the civilian side shop upstairs in the terminal sells a great t-shirt in dark blue with the squadron legend on the back and badge on the front, plus 'remove before flight' Phantom bag tags.

HTH
cheers
Dave

[Draken]

Talking about the Towers - you mean this spot?
https://goo.gl/maps/ZWm7fVAjWmE2

[HeyfordDave111]

Talking about the Towers - you mean this spot?
https://goo.gl/maps/ZWm7fVAjWmE2

Yes, that part has the 2 wooden towers, the shrine, toilets, and shed with small platform next to it.
The tiny path (big enough to take a car along), to the other part has the single tall tower on it.

cheers
Dave

[McG]

Dave,

Did Times charge you for borrowing the ladders?

Mark

[Stagger2]

Yep! I had heard 'Times Rentals' offer this free benefit of ladders from their extensive stock!

[HeyfordDave111]

Hi everyone,

Not going to post more aircraft pics of my trip here as i think it might get 'overdone'. However here are some pics of the towers, entrance etc to give you all an idea other than using google earth.

Hope they are useful.
cheers
Dave

1) Gateway to heaven!
7 by David Jones, on Flickr

2) Lower roof and platform overlooking taxiway, and just out of view the QRA barns. Great for going away shots, QRA practice (every morning around 9.00am but no takeoff, just systems checking on the runway before taxi back to barns). Also good if the wind changes and they taxi head on past you at this point.
5 by David Jones, on Flickr

3) View from middle height tower (wooden) of tower 3, the scaffolding one, and the general pan view)#
6 by David Jones, on Flickr

4) Wooden tower (seen from scaffolding tower) in the bushes and branches, but don't worry, the views from here are unobstructed. Its a large platform and i sat up there drinking beer, on fold up chairs (that are onsite) and eating my grub.
1 by David Jones, on Flickr

5) Metal scaffold tower from wooden tower, showing height difference between it and the wooden ones.
2 by David Jones, on Flickr

6) The zig zag road into heaven, (the track is between the parallel fences)
3 by David Jones, on Flickr

7) Scaffolding tower from wooden tower. There is a ladder up to level 3, but from then on its an inside the scaffolding climb to each level, moving camera and food/drink to each level as you climb!
4 by David Jones, on Flickr

[Draken]

Phabolous!
Can't wait to visit this place! Will be there 17-19.10.
The Heaven Gate (pic1) is open or you need to ask someone/pay to get inside?

[AB52 FLY]

Great info again Dave and its nice to see some photos of these towers, very helpful for our trip in a few weeks time

Regards
Colin

[HeyfordDave111]

Hi,

The chap who owns the area is called Umizawa san, and he's the guy to contact.

WARNING!!!! Make sure you have enough credit on your phone, as you will need to contact him (the numbers at the bottom of the sign on the pic above, but it is handy to have it in advance.....080 1172 3075) This you need to make sure, wont eat your credit as it ate mine, and left me without any contact with the UK etc for the week i was there. luckily my mate had a company phone so could do the calling for me.

The gates are normally locked, and he comes and opens them for you on request. however, like me, if you tell him that your there all day (well almost as its good to go back as the sun goes down), everyday, he gives out a key to the compound so you can come and go as you please. He will either collect funds daily or at the end of the week from you.

His rice wine (home brewed) could fuel the phantoms. lol

[AB52 FLY]

More info, Do you call Umizawa San before you go just to make sure he's around. As we are only there for two days time is precious .

See you on Flickr mate

[Amp]

It was a pleasure to read through this report today. Great stuff and very tempting indeed.

[trend71uk]

Superb shots , love that place . Hope to do one last visit before 302 finish with the F-4

[B2 Spirit]

Superb Phabulous Photos and great info for the behind the scenes points....
thank you

So, when are folks going to be there, a lot mentioned going soon...? I will be doing my pilgrimage to Hyakuri on Mon 12 & Tue 13 November.

regards
Dave - Bahrain

[chek]

What's up with the fuel tank on picture number 1?

The Japanese reworked some of their Es to carry a recon pod, painted them in the dark gray/green scheme - and confusingly call them RF-4Es. (IIRC)

You can tell by the serial numbers if they've been converted to recce types.
Those with xx-8xxx would be a fighter, xx-6xxx would be recce aircraft.

I can't bring myself to term them RFs if they haven't got a camera nose, anymore than by the same token FGR2s when they carried the big EMI pod would be RF-4Ms.

[MigF4]

Great Set