Red Dot Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Hi all, I was lucky enough to go on the recent aircraft and modeller's tour to Japan organised by 4Aviation. With a small group of six people, we experienced some excellent opportunities for aircraft photography at seven air bases around central Japan and seventeen of the best model shops in the world, along with quite a few book shops too. Needless to say, with prices about half of those in the UK, we came back with full suitcases. I'm told they will be running something similar again soon, and would highly recommend the trip. Now to the pictures of aircraft and stash hauls. Andy 32 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Bob Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Superb photos and a nice haul of kits, books and modelling stuff. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Amazing photos and a quite a collection of models! I assume that you took a couple of cases with you!🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Great set of pictures as usual Andy, and a good haul of plastic too.👍 🇺🇦 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 A great set of pictures, Andy, with some really interesting schemes. Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Great set of photos, I like the Aggressors F-15DJ and a good shopping trip ! Regards Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg B Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Lovel shots. The JASDF have some very pleasing schemes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britman Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Variety with a capital V. Excellent! I had a similar tour with Ian Allen in Canada and Alaska twenty years ago. I recommend to anyone to try this just once as I did . It was a bit of a push on the wallet ( no digital cameras) but it chopped my bucket list down considerably. Thank you for sharing Andy. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filler Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Excellent photography as always Andy. Looks like lovely weather and a fantastic mix of types. The Osprey is a great catch. Where did you see that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 Phil - The Osprey was taken at Kisarazu where they are beginning to be based. The were a bit far away but very active on the day we went. I suspect if we had gone to the opposite end earlier in the day, we would have got better photos. Thanks for all the nice comments about the aircraft photos. As for the rest of the trip, it was great fun as the model shops are simply amazing. If you ever get a chance to go, just take it. Andy 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 I'll agree that the pictures look great. I love all the different Camouflage schemes. The tour sounds great, as does the shopping. BTW, Whetstone? I grew up In Wigston Magna. And I now work with a guy who used to manage the Fairfield Estate pub! Small world eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 Very small world indeed Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 Terrific images Andy of some aviation exotica in varied and colourful schemes. Nice backdrops and blue skies too! What a great opportunity to combine all your aircraft passions in one trip. Jealous? Most definitely! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 Thanks for the complements Mark. I know i'm lucky to do it, don't worry. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filler Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 Thanks for answering my Osprey question Andy. I do have a couple more questions. Firstly, where is the T7 taken? I'm guessing maybe Hamamatsu, but does Fuji appear that large from there? A bit of Googling suggests that Shizuhama is also possible/likely. And less aircraft or model related, but how did you get on with the mask wearing? I found it a bit of a pita last November, but I wondered if things have relaxed more yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 @Red Dot - thanks for sharing! I have thought about going to Japan with a very open eye for kit and book shops, but such a focused dual-purpose tour sounds pretty non-plus-ultra. As I am mainly a kit (and book) collector: Do those shops you visited also sell vintage kits (and with "vintage" I mean 60s to mid 70s), in particular Japanese ones? Think Nichimo, Otaki, Fuji, Nitto, Marusan etc... Buying books there should be very efficient, as it's pretty much impossible searching the platforms without having the precise title in Japanese or the ISBN, especially for older titles. It was a PITA finding the Gakken books I was after...but at least I did find them in the end... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 3 hours ago, Filler said: Thanks for answering my Osprey question Andy. I do have a couple more questions. Firstly, where is the T7 taken? I'm guessing maybe Hamamatsu, but does Fuji appear that large from there? A bit of Googling suggests that Shizuhama is also possible/likely. And less aircraft or model related, but how did you get on with the mask wearing? I found it a bit of a pita last November, but I wondered if things have relaxed more yet. You guessed right. Shizuhama for the T-7 photos with Fuji in the background, although you can also do it at Hamamatsu but only on a clear day. It is a bit far away there. The mask wearing was okay as everyone does it, but apparently the law will change soon, so you won't need too. I bet they still do. It felt odd after so long without it in the UK though. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 2 hours ago, tempestfan said: @Red Dot - thanks for sharing! I have thought about going to Japan with a very open eye for kit and book shops, but such a focused dual-purpose tour sounds pretty non-plus-ultra. As I am mainly a kit (and book) collector: Do those shops you visited also sell vintage kits (and with "vintage" I mean 60s to mid 70s), in particular Japanese ones? Think Nichimo, Otaki, Fuji, Nitto, Marusan etc... Buying books there should be very efficient, as it's pretty much impossible searching the platforms without having the precise title in Japanese or the ISBN, especially for older titles. It was a PITA finding the Gakken books I was after...but at least I did find them in the end... Leonardo and D-Force specialise in second hand kits and they have a lot if old stuff. Leonardo also stock a lot of old books and magazines, but not the one I wanted! It is well worth the trip if you like kit shopping but you will need an extra suitcase. Remember, books are very heavy too. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latinbear Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 Brilliant shots Andy! The blue skies really show off the aircraft beautifully. My favourite is the T7 with Mount Fuji in the background. A nice haul on the kit and book front too. How many suitcases did you take? 😆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 Just the one and I forgot my fold-up holdall. I had to use my small rucksack for the books and pretend it was light, so it could go as hand baggage! Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glyn Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 Looks like you had a good time out there Andy. You can go off people you know. Glyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 hi Glyn, you need to get your name down for the next one! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glyn Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 Andy I am hoping to go next year. Have you been to see the Indians at waddo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 Excellent news for you. I haven't been to Waddington and won't get a chance either as I am busy all next week. Such a shame as it looked interesting Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted March 17, 2023 Share Posted March 17, 2023 17 hours ago, Red Dot said: Leonardo and D-Force specialise in second hand kits and they have a lot if old stuff. Leonardo also stock a lot of old books and magazines, but not the one I wanted! It is well worth the trip if you like kit shopping but you will need an extra suitcase. Remember, books are very heavy too. Andy Many thanks for those names, Andy! I will note them somewhere where I hopefully remember 🙄 Ah well - I led the foundations for my "library" at the AvBookShop in '91 and at IAT's '93 and '94. My back still hasn't quite forgiven me...and I was young and fit then! 12 hours ago, Red Dot said: Just the one and I forgot my fold-up holdall. I had to use my small rucksack for the books and pretend it was light, so it could go as hand baggage! Andy ... and this is exactly the lesson I learned way back when - kits in the suitcase, folding boxes as much as possible, and books in some cabin-suitable bag or rucksack - and always smile because it's so light 😇 Claus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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