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Elite 2K Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 2945 Location: Utah

The Japan F2 (F-16 copycat)?

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Hasn't been updated in a while, but it's a start:

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article16.html

stefaan

Elite 2K Joined: May 13, 2004 Posts: 2945 Location: Utah

Thanks...works for me

F-16.net Webmaster Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 2355

Also, don't forget the photogallery: http://www.f-16.net/gallery_item17159.html

Fantastic silhouette of this Japanese F-2 prototype.

Elite 2K Joined: May 13, 2004 Posts: 2945 Location: Utah

Thanks... great photos, I can see some differences too, possibly a larger nose section? Looks like a slightly larger wing surface, drag chute (of course)... Mitsubishi involved too..not bad at all

F-16.net Webmaster Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 2355

Also have a look at these threads:

<a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-1165-highlight-f2.html">F-16 vs F-2/FSX</a>
<a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-458-highlight-f2.html">Mitsubishi F-2 Load out</a>
<a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-3264-highlight-f2.html">F-2 SuperKai</a>

Elite 2K Joined: May 13, 2004 Posts: 2945 Location: Utah

Interesting reading ahead...thanks again

From what I've heard and read it's pretty much an overexpensive program (considering what you get for the money).

Lots of problems, especially wing cracks, costly to operate, readiness about as low as for an African MiG squadrons despite efforts...

7 February 2003:
F-2B.
JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.
During or after formation flight, while landing, horizontal staibiliser(s) of second aircraft contacted runway, damaged, and replaced.
Because turbulence by first aircraft.
Repair cost: 17 million Yen.
Pilot was JASDF Major. Co-pilot was JASDF Captain.
News announced on 11 January 2007.

http://www.sankei.co.jp/chiho/tohoku/07 ... 112000.htm
http://www.shikoku-np.co.jp/national/so ... 0111000215

12 September 2002:
F-2A.
JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.
During or after formation flight, while landing, horizontal staibiliser(s) of second aircraft contacted runway, damaged, and replaced.
Because turbulence by first aircraft.
Repair cost: 47 million Yen.
Pilot was JASDF Major.
News announced on 11 January 2007.

http://www.sankei.co.jp/chiho/tohoku/07 ... 112000.htm
http://www.shikoku-np.co.jp/national/so ... 0111000215

A frequent comparison I see is that F-2 is to F-16 as Super Hornets (E/F) are to Legacy Hornets (A/B/C/D) due to the larger wings and lengthened fuselages. That's not entirely accurate as SH & LH share a lot of avionics where F-2/F-16 do not. Also, F-2/F-16 share a common engine where SH/LH do not.

Newbie Joined: Feb 03, 2007 Posts: 10 Status: Offline

I think that the F-2 is noting but a "3.25" gen fighter. Because its maneuverability doesn't improve much, compared with normal 3th gen fighters. It has a large wing which is 34% larger than F-16C, and that reduces the wing loading, so the instant turn performance is better. But it's 1300kg heavier, and what's more, the thrust remains the same, so its energy maneuverability drops a lot.

I know that Japanese originally wanted to design something of their own, something new, however I read somewhere that we had something to do with not letting them ...

Just checked the JASDF official site after the JDA became JMOD.

The Download Gallery (English) at
http://www.mod.go.jp/jasdf/en/gallery/index.html
has JASDF aircraft (F-2, &c) mouse pointers, screen savers, and wallpapers.

The Download Gallery (Japanese) at
http://www.mod.go.jp/jasdf/equipment/gallery/index.html
has an extra item: a monthly calendar wallpaper.

The Heisei 18 (2006) JASDF recruitment movie can be downloaded from
http://www.mod.go.jp/jasdf/cm/17/index17.htm
at
http://www.mod.go.jp/jasdf/cm/17/cm1.wmv
or
http://www.mod.go.jp/jasdf/cm/17/cm2.wmv
and it features only the F-15J.

Monday, 3 September 2007:
F-2.
21st Hikoutai, 4th Koukuudan, JASDF, based at Matsushima AB, Higashi Matsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture.
Afternoon, dumped fuel tank into ocean.

14:48, took off, with another F-2 flown by instructor.
During take off and landing training, fuel tank under fuselage contacted runway.
Fuel tank deformed and could not lower landing gear for landing. Visually checked by wingman.
Dumped fuel tank into ocean, about 70 km east of Kinkazan Mountain, Ishimaki City.
Fuel tank held 1,200 litres, but was consumed and empty.
Safely landed. One pilot not wounded.

4 September, about 10:00, helicopter from Matsushima AB, found fuel tank floating in ocean.
Afternoon, Miyagi Japan Coast Guard patrol ship recovered fuel tank from ocean, about 70 km east of Kinkazan Mountain. Returned to Onagawa Port. Taken by Matsushima AB soldiers.

http://www.nikkansports.com/general/f-g ... 51368.html
http://www.nikkansports.com/general/f-g ... 51100.html
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20070 ... -mailo-l04

F-16.net Editor Joined: Sep 23, 2003 Posts: 2848

If you keep the F-2 in context to what it replaced, .... the mission of the Mitsubishi F-1 then not such a bad thing. A big leap ahead. The little F-1 was short on everything, endurance, warload etc. Cool little plane though. I was at Misawa right before F-16s showed up.

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What do you guys know about the F-2