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As part of our trip to Japan we spent two days at Iruma airbase, northwest of Tokyo. In part this was because we expected Hyakuri to have a down day as the base returned to normality following the triennial review but also because we wanted to capture rehearsals for the forthcoming airshow including the C1 transport elephant walk. A photo report of our three days at Hyakuri can be found here: Owing to the base's closeness to Tokyo, the airshow being held on a public holiday (National Culture Day) as well as being free of charge, attendance is off the scale with some 400,000 people turning up. Apparently once inside it's not dissimilar to pictures you see of Tokyo commuter trains at the rush hour while at the crowd line it is 20 deep which I imagine is quite unpleasant. There is no parking on base and with public parking in the vicinity severely restricted public transport is what everybody uses. With this in mind we decided not to go inside but instead pick a vantage point that allowed us to look down on the taxiway and end of the runway. Fortunately on both days the wind was from the north which meant we would get taxying for take off and landing shots. To secure our spots we were in position by 4.20am(!) and we weren't the first ones there. Local enthusiasts told us they often arrive the night before to park, set up their ladders and then go back and sleep in their cars. The flying began at 9.05am and finished at 3pm. If you are thinking of going bear in mind there is a break for lunch and despite the size of the crowd suggesting otherwise do not think you are attending Fairford. This is more of a local event and there is no shortage of gaps in the display schedule. That being said it was a great day out and the elephant walk really made it. Iruma is home to the Air Defence Command HQ with based aircraft including C1's, YS11's, U125,s T4's, and Ch47 Chinooks. 1. Our first movement of the day and not something we expected to see. Not complaining though! 2. 3. A hint of what was to come. 4. 5. 6. Local sources told us that this is the last year the walk will be performed by six C1s. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. The show's opening performance. Even without the fire bucket it was a rather more genteel display when compared to the RAF's Chinook display 18. 19, 20. 21. 22. This caught us by surprise. On the practise day the winds were gusting at 50mph hence no parachute drop 23. You can see why we got there so early 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. At the risk of lighting the blue touch paper I found it interesting to note that Iruma is situated in a heavily built up area but that presented no barrier to the airshow or indeed the Blue Impulse displaying in contrast to the Red Arrows being restricted to a flypast only at Farnborough. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. Returning after the display 36. Fast jet flying was limited to a four T4s and the Blue Impulse. This F15 on static departed at the end of the day's flying display. We were treated to a spirited departure and turning climb within the boundaries of the airfield though. 37. 38. Another end of day departure 39. Meerkats! That's it. Thanks for looking!