The Fuji T-1 was Japan’s first jet-powered trainer aircraft.
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 Defence Agency’s plan to develop a training jet aircraft emerged, which later lead to the development of the T-1 training plane.
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.
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 and made its first flight on May 17, 1960.
The T-1B was powered by the Ishikawajima-Harima J3 turbojet and 20 were produced between June 1962 and June 1963.
Fuji was the successor to the Nakajima Aircraft Company.
In 2003, the Fuji company adopted the logo of its Subaru automobile division as its worldwide corporate symbol.
The first aircraft of Fuji’s own design was the T-1 jet trainer.
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.
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.
Variants
T1F1
One Prototype powered by a Nippon J3 engine.
T1F2
Two prototypes, powered by 11,800 N (2,645 lbf) Bristol Bor.1 Orpheus engines.
T1F3
Initial designation for the production T-1A, powered by 11,765.55 N (2,645 lbf) Bristol Bor.4 Orpheus engines.
T-1A
Powered by a 17.79 kN (4,000 lbf) Bristol Siddeley Orpheus Mk 805 turbojet engine.
The original designation was T1F3.
T-1B
Powered by an 11.77 kN (2,645 lbf) Ishikawajima-Harima J3-IHI-3 turbojet engine.
T-1C
Converted to 13.72 kN (3,085 lbf) Ishikawajima-Harima J3-IHI-7 engines.
Specifications
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 take-off 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)
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
