Hobby Master 1/72 HA1992 McDonnell Douglas RF-4EJ Kai 87-6406, 501st SQ, JASDF
Hobby Master 1/72 McDonnell Douglas RF-4EJ Kai 87-6406, 501st SQ, JASDF HA1992
Hobby Master HA1992 McDonnell Douglas RF-4EJ Kai 87-6406, 501st SQ, JASDF
Kokudan squadron flies 12 out of the original 14 RF-4E’s that have the camera noses. They also are equipped with 17 RF-4EJ Kais that are upgraded F-4EJ Kai interceptors capable of carrying a variety of recce pods. All the F-4 aircraft are being replaced by the Mitsubishi F-2 with reconnaissance being provided by other aircraft.
The JASDF 501st Squadron was formed at Matsushima on December 1, 1961 equipped with RF-86Fs. In 1975 the 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moved to Hyakuri with their new RF-4Es. In 1992 seven RF-4EJs and eight RF-4EJ Kai had been converted and updated from the normal F-4E. The early 1980s saw the introduction of the F-15 so F-4EJs were heavily modified and could carry 3 types of external sensor pods of which one was the LOROP (Long Range Oblique Photography ) pod with KS-146B camera.