Mitsubishi F2, Japans F16.

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

The F-2's maiden flight was on 7 October 1995. Later that year, the Japanese government approved an order for 141 (but that was soon cut to 130), to enter service by 1999; structural problems resulted in service entry being delayed until 2000. Because of issues with cost-efficiency, orders for the aircraft were curtailed to 98 in 2004.

It is essentially an execution of the F-16 Agile Falcon proposal: a late-1980s plan for an enlarged F-16 which was passed over by the U.S. in favor of an all-new fighter program,( the F35). The F-2 used the wing design of the F-16 Agile Falcon, but much of the electronics were further updated to 1990s standards. The overall concept of the enlarged F-16 by General Dynamics was intended as a cheap counter to the then emerging threat of new Soviet types.

Lockheed Martin was chosen as the major subcontractor to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and the two companies co-developed and co-produced the aircraft. Some of the early developmental works were actually done under General Dynamics, who sold its aircraft division to Lockheed Martin in 1993.

18 aircraft were badly damaged in the 2011 Earthquake and all but 6 of them were written off. the rest are being repaired.

F-2 platform compared to F-16

1st Prototype

Developement aircraft 502

In it's lair

Lined up with USAF F16s

formation take off

Lift off

in her element

The VC is good, you not only get a great veiw but as you turn there is a slight hesitancy as the pilots head appears to move in respecct to the aircraft. the sound effects also include the pilot breathing through the oxygen mask when your inside the aircraft!

Thanks for viewing, Re the model, performance is superb, very light on the controls, in fact she can be a handful in windy weather. but it really is a great aircraft to fly. This is a freeview model and is readily availiable. Dont confuse it with Kazonori Ito's model of the same aircraft. this one is far superior.

[mutley 4,489]

Beautiful!

I made a video a few years ago, thanks for the memory Alan

[PanzerFodder 0]

Nice one Gents .

Cheer's...Graham...

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

Great Vid Joe, I,m still finding out which controls do what in this bird ! It is a beautiful looking aircraft though, due to its reprofiled nose it looks somewhat sleeker than the standard F16. an F16 on steroids maybe !!

[mutley 4,489]

I remember it was very agile I think this was Ito's model with only this livery, but the variations you have are looking a lot better.

That's a shame that so many were lost in the quake.

[Sabre 28]

Excellent shots Alan and a very nice video too Joe, good job gents

Do you know if this is available for FSX Alan?

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Great shots Alan - but what model is it?

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

Its this one guys.

f-2a_dko.zip

Size: 76,872,900

FS2004 Mitsubishi F-2A beta model version 2. The F-2 is a Japanese fighter aircraft that was developed with the United States. Its blue oceanic flight livery is called "the most beautiful camouflage livery of the world". Its three part canopy and wide wing is the most different part between F-2 and F-16. By Hiroaki Kubota / Team FS KBT.

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Thanks Alan!

[Clem Wu 1]

Very cool!