Japan’s Recon Phantoms Bow Out
The retirement of the reconnaissance fleet leaves just one fighter unit flying Phantoms in Japanese service.
The original camera-nosed RF-4E (foreground) was joined in JASDF service with 501 Hiko-tai by the RF-4EJ (background), a fighter adapted to carry podded reconnaissance sensors. (Photo: JASDF)
The original camera-nosed RF-4E (foreground) was joined in JASDF service with 501 Hiko-tai by the RF-4EJ (background), a fighter adapted to carry podded reconnaissance sensors. (Photo: JASDF)