Stored without engines in a hangar at Iwakuni this huge Shin Meiwa US-1A

One of the Shin Maywas of 71 Kokutai was doing touch & go's at its home base Iwakuni and eventually landed on water and taxied to its platform

In 2004 we saw this one fly, 9083 was withdrawn from use in 2005.

On display at JMSDF Naval Air Museum Kanoya. Developed from the PS-1, this dedicated SAR amphibian was capable of landing in 3m. swells. JMSDF accepted the first of these aircraft in 1975 which led to the formation of Air Rescue Squadron 71 at Iwakuni in 1976. This flying boat was constructed as a US-1 and was delivered to JMSDF in Feb 1981. It was converted to US-1A standard in 1986 with more powerful T64-IHI-10J engines, as were other US-1 flying boats over time. The aircraft stayed with 71st Kokutai till Nov 1993. One can see the water spray suppression design along the lower hull.

Taxiing out for takeoff on a cold January morning. This is the search and rescue version of the Shin-Meiwa PS-1.

Flying low over Sagami Bay. Operated by 71 Kokutai from Iwakuni and a detachment from Atsugi, its SAR flying boats performed more than 1,000 rescue missions before the US-1A was decommissioned in December 2017.

Normally based at Iwakuni, this rare bird is coming in to replace the 9088, standing behind, on temporary deployment.

The absolute star of the 60th Anniversary flypast - one of just two of the original 14 remaining in service, based at Iwakuni with 71 Kokutai

A total of 20 US-1 and US-1A rescue amphibians were gradually delivered to the JMSDF over some 30 years from 1975 to 2005; just two (9089 & 9090) remain in service. This example is one of two preserved and was delivered as a US-1 in 1981 and following conversion to US-1A standard in 1986, continued in service until 11.93

A majestic 71 Kokutai flying boat departing its home base for another mission over Japan's vast territorial waters. The aircraft's design history goes back to the mid-sixties and it remains unique in modern times as a four-engined amphibian in full service.