@ Sado Island, Japan
November 2024
Standing guard in this Japanese playground is a license-built Kawasaki T-33A Wakataka (Young Hawk). The Japan Air Self Defense Force purchased 68 Lockheed T-33 Shooting Stars from the United States, and another 210 were built in Japan. This classic jet warbird first flew in 1948 and over 6500 were produced by Lockheed, Canadair (Canada), and Kawasaki (Japan). A 1999 fatal crash by a JASDF T-33A into the Iruma River hastened the phase out of the type in 2000. The aircraft is in surprisingly good condition for a publicly displayed aircraft, the mannequin crew is a nice touch.
