Iruma Air Festival 2024 (Pic heavy)

[Wes_Howes]

Last year, during a family trip to Japan, I managed to sneak in a trip to the Iruma airshow, giving me one last chance to see the JASDF's Kawasaki C-1s, and EC-1, before they were retired. I would be lying if I hadn't planned the trip to occur around the time of the show, but still, permission had to be sought... For those who haven't been to, or heard about the Iruma show before, it's crowded, REALLY crowded. I'd guess the crowd line is about the same as Cosford, maybe shorter, but last year, around 5 times the numbers of people, and I'll include a picture of the crowds further down. Also, like Cosford, the crowdline faces the sun, at least for the first half fo the show. Anyway, on with the show.

Firstly the statics, these were taking using my camera phone.

OH-1 - (according to Scramble, from the 5th Anti Tank Helicopter Unit at Akeno)
Iruma 3 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

F-15J of 303sqn Fighting Dragons at Komatsu (this squadron has begun tranistioning to F-35As)
Iruma 4 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

F-2A of 3sqn based at Hyakuri
Iruma 5 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

First into the air was the EC-1 for a couple of flypasts and a missed approach
0J1A4115 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A4212 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Followed by the U-680A which replaced the YS-11s in the Flight Check role
Iruma 13 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

The EC-1 taxiing back along the massed crowds following it's display
0J1A4266 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Next up was, a rather dull display from the local Air Rescue Sqn's CH-47JA
0J1A4419 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Iruma 14 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

A look at the lineup of aircraft in front of the crowds
Iruma 1 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

A fourship of T-4s from the Central Air Command Support squadron performed some formation flying and a solo showed off the maneuverability of the T-4
0J1A4538 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A4561 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Then 402nd Tactical Airlift Sqn took to the air to show off it's assests, in the form of the C-1, U-4, and C-2
0J1A4682 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A4712 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A4723 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A4737 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A4757 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Following this, there was a 90min lunch break, and this particular idiot, decided he wanted to grab a close-up shot of the EC-1 which had been towed into position on the crowdline. Well it took about 15 minutes to get through to the front of the masses but I'm happy with what I got. That didn't leave long to fight my way back through, use the loos and find some food (especially when I got caught at the level-crossing which intersects the base!).

Iruma 2 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Back just in time to hear the Blue Impulse starting up. These guys are arguably more popular amongst the locals, than the Reds are in the UK. And the hoards of people who left after their display made getting out of the show slightly more bareable.
0J1A4819 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A4890 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A4923 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A4945 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5045 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5081 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5114 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5159 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5215 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5234 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Then the finale of the show, as two C-1s took centre stage, including 18-1031, which was performing its final flight, and recevied a water cannon salute as it taxied in for the last time.

0J1A5318 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Iruma 8 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5369 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5394 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5412 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5461 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5478 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

0J1A5500 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Iruma 6 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Following the show, all the visiting aircraft departed, including the prototype C-1 "Gin-chan". I was very happy to see this as I didn't think I would before the C-1s were all retired. Happily, I managed to see it again just over a week later at one of the Gifu practice days.

0J1A5533 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

JMSDF SH-60K
0J1A5570 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

Iruma 7 by Wes Howes, on Flickr

For anyone who wants to visit, be prepared for massive crowds, long waits for food, and an even longer wait to catch the train back into Tokyo. If anyone wants to chat about it, I'm happy to try and provide some hints and tips.

Thanks for looking, any comments or critisism welcomed.

Wes

[Tommy]

Belter set, mate.

[sylvancatharsis]

Excellent overview there, and what a great bunch of machines and in fabulous weather!

[GeorgeP]

Excellent images! You won the double - great planes, great weather.
I must admit that I have also planned holidays to coincide with a major airshow at either Osh, or Duxford.

[Blackbird]

Great set Wes. As George said, you won the double!

[Wes_Howes]

Thanks chaps, felt more like the treble with the wife granting permission I'm currently investigating another trip to Japan and squeezing in the Tsuiki show in November...

The weather in Tokyo on the Saturday before the show was dreadful, it didn't stop raining all day, so I was very nervous about the Sunday, but as you can tell, it was alright on the night (day)

[capercaillie]

Beautiful shots mate.

Jealous in the extreme as I'll never see a C-1 flying, never mind four including the silver one and the EC-1. I seriously need to go sit down and cry in a corner.

[Wes_Howes]

Thanks Paul there may be some salvation as the JASDF has 3 RC-2s on order and are (according to the following article) ordering 4 EC-2s

https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerosp ... nique-ec-1