The Mitsubishi T-2 is a two-engined two-seat jet trainer manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries and was operated by the Japan Air Self Defense Force from 1975 – 2006. The
flight instructor sat behind the student in a raised seat that allowed him to visually monitor the
student’s actions. There was a windblast screen between them that created separate
clamshell canopies for each person.

The base at Nyutabaru is home to the JASDF Air Training Command, Air Basic Training Wing
and Flying Training Squadron. The Mitsubishi T-2 was introduced in 1975 and by 2006 all
but a few aircraft had been retired. Eventually some T-2s were used as Aggressors and given
a special paint scheme that consisted of a fake canopy being painted on the under side of the
fuselage as well as the white around the red Hinomarus were painted over. The Hinomarus
themselves were over sprayed a bit to make them less visible. The 2 digit nose numbers
were painted in red to simulate those on the Soviet Union aircraft during the Cold War. The T-
2s had some bad spin characteristics leading to an excessively high rate of accidents. It was
at this point that it was decided to replace the 8 T-2 Aggressors with the F-15DJ. Aircraft 69-
5127 “Red 27” has been preserved with its Hiko Kyodotai (Tactical Fighter Training
Squadron) Aggressor paint scheme at the Nyutabaru Air Base.

Specifications for the Mitsubishi T-2
First Flight – 20th July 1971
Variants
T-2A - Two-seat advanced jet trainer aircraft (59 delivered to the ASDF training squadron in
1975)
T-2B - Two-seat armed weapons training aircraft.
Total Production – 90
Presently out of production
Crew – 2

Performance
Power Plant – 2 x Turbofan Ishikawajima Harima TF-40-IHI-801A (Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca
Ad each producing 32.5 kN 7306 lbf
Speed – 1,700 km/h   (918 kts / 1,056 mph)
Service Ceiling – 15,200 m   (49,869 ft)
Range – 2,589 km   (1,398 nm / 1,609 mi)

Weight
Empty – 6,307 kg   (13,905 lbs)
Maximum Takeoff – 12,900 kg   (28,440 lbs)

Dimensions
Length – 17.86 m   (58.6 ft)
Wing Span – 7.88 m   (25.9 ft)
Height – 4.39 m   (14.4 ft)

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