Fuji T-1

After World War II, Japanese aircraft industry was banned from research as well as the destruction of materials and equipment related to aircraft. In 1952, a partial ban on aircraft research was lifted, making it possible to develop Japan's own domestic jet aircraft. In the spring of 1954, the Defense Agency's plan to develop a training jet aircraft emerged, which later lead to the development of the T-1 training plane.[2]

The T-1 was the first indigenously designed Japanese jet aircraft to be developed since World War II. It was Japan's first mass-produced jet and the first aircraft to apply a swept wing.[2] The development of a domestic jet engine was not completed in time, so the T-1A was powered by the British-designed Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet[3] and made its first flight on May 17, 1960.[2] The T-1B was powered by the Ishikawajima-Harima J3 turbojet[4] and 20 were produced between June 1962 and June 1963.[2] Fuji was the successor to the Nakajima Aircraft Company (famous for building several aircraft such as Nakajima Ki-43 and Nakajima Ki-84 during WW2). The first aircraft of Fuji's own design was the T-1 jet trainer.[5][6]

More than 200 T-1s were to be produced, but with the introduction of the Lockheed F-104J/DJ fighters, the education system changed and the Lockheed T-33A, which was in large numbers, took on the same role, and only 66 T-1s were introduced.[2]

With the entry into service of its successor, the Kawasaki T-4, flight training with the T-1 was completed in December 2000. The last T-1 was retired on March 3, 2006.

Fuji T-1 displayed at Komaki Air Base

Data from: Simpson 2001, p. 246

T1F1

One Prototype powered by a Nippon J3 engine.[7]

T1F2

Two prototypes, powered by 11,800 N (2,645 lbf) Bristol BOr.1 Orpheus engines.[7]

T1F3

Initial designation for the production T-1A, powered by 11,765.55 N (2,645 lbf) Bristol BOr.4 Orpheus engines.[7]

T-1A

Powered by a 17.79 kN (4,000 lbf) Bristol Siddeley Orpheus Mk 805 turbojet engine. The original designation was T1F3. 46 built.

T-1B

Powered by an 11.77 kN (2,645 lbf) Ishikawajima-Harima J3-IHI-3 turbojet engine. 20 built.[2]

T-1C

Converted to 13.72 kN (3,085 lbf) Ishikawajima-Harima J3-IHI-7 engines.

 Japan

• Japan Air Self Defense Force

Fuji T-1 (25-5856) at Tokorozawa Aviation Museum

Fuji T-1B 05-5810 of AD&TW at Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum.

• T-1B 25-5856 at Tokorozawa Aviation Museum, Saitama Prefecture
• T-1B 35-5870 at Saitama Subaru Sakitama Garden, Gyōda, Saitama Prefecture[8]
• T-1B 05-5810 at Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66[9]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 10.50 m (34 ft 5 in)
• Height: 4.08 m (13 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 22.22 m² (239.2 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 4.96:1
• Airfoil: K-561/K-569
• Empty weight: 2,420 kg (5,335 lb)
• Gross weight: 4,150 kg (9,149 lb) clean
• Max takeoff weight: 5,000 kg (11,023 lb) (with external tanks)
• Fuel capacity: 1,400 L (308 Imp Gallons)
• Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Siddeley Orpheus Mk 805 turbojet, 18 kN (4,000 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: 925 km/h (575 mph, 499 kn) at 6,100 m (20,000 ft)
• Cruise speed: 620 km/h (390 mph, 330 kn) at 9,150 m (30,000 ft)
• Range: 1,300 km (810 mi, 700 nmi) (internal fuel)
• Ferry range: 1,950 km (1,210 mi, 1,050 nmi) (external tanks)
• Service ceiling: 14,400 m (47,200 ft) [10]
• Rate of climb: 33 m/s (6,500 ft/min)
• Thrust/weight: 0.43

Armament

• Guns: Provision for 1 × 12.7 mm Browning M53-2 machine gun in nose
• Hardpoints: 2 , with provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Missiles: 2 × AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
  • Bombs: 2 × 750 lb (340 kg) bombs
  • Other: 2 × 455 L (100 Imp Gallon) drop tanks

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Aermacchi MB-326
• Fokker S.14 Machtrainer
• TF-86 Sabre
• Lockheed T-33

Citations

Bibliography

Media related to Fuji T-1 at Wikimedia Commons