The Japanese Blue Impulse F-86 Sabre team demonstrating at the 1976 Japan International Aerospace Exhibition air show. From left to right the aircraft are 82-7847 (847), 02-7962 (962), 82-7809 (809) and 82-7812 (812).

The Japanese Blue Impulse F-86 Sabre team demonstrating at the 1976 Japan International Aerospace Exhibition air show. Don't be misled by reflections in the nose codes, making the 8s look like 9s. From left to right these Sabres are 82-7812 (812), 02-7962 (962), 82-7809 (809) and 82-7847 (847).

Five aircraft of the Japanese Blue Impulse F-86 Sabre demonstration team waiting to do their part in the 1976 Japan International Aerospace Exhibition air show. From front to back they are 92-7929 (929), 82-7847 (847), 02-7962 (962), 82-7809 (809) and 82-7812 (812).

Carrying red/white/blue bicentennial markings.

This Tracker, which still carries its former US Navy serial 136681 under the tail plane, was returned to the US Navy in 1977 and stored at Atsugi Air Base, Japan. It was one of eleven ex-Japanese Trackers sold to Native Alaskan Reclamation and Pest Control (Lester Risley) on 27 January 1978, to be converted to airtankers. Registration N217AK was reserved for this aircraft, but in the end Mr. Risley was unable to complete the deal and none of the aircraft ever left Japan. Instead, all eleven aircraft were repossessed by the US Navy on 23 January 1979 and ten were subsequently broken up for scrap. The eleventh Tracker (ex 4108) went to South Korea for display at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.

This Skyvan was delivered to the JMSA in the previous year, on 12 March 1975 (ex G-BCIB). It was sold to Australia in December 1997 as VH-IBT for resale, and became N643M in April 1998. Cessna T210L JA3749 (c/n 210-60991) is being prepared in the background. Apologies for the Beechcraft blocking the nose of the Skyvan.

First registered on 30 August 1976 (ex N947). Crashed on 4 August 1991 at Honda Airport in Kawajima, while doing rolls immediately after take-off.

Unfortunately this Orion crashed in Pago Pago, Samoa on 17 April 1980 while dropping skydivers during Samoa's Flag Day festivities.

Registered 17 January 1974 and cancelled 13 May 1987. It went to the Museum of Aeronautical Science near Narita International Airport for preservation.

A Tomcat from the USS Enterprise visiting the 1976 Japan International Aerospace Exhibition.

A Tomcat from the USS Enterprise visiting the 1976 Japan International Aerospace Exhibition.

Second Eagle prototype / demonstrator. It was loaned to McDonnell Douglas as a company demonstrator in Feb 1976 and was still a TF-15A at this time. It was redesignated to F-15B on 1 Dec 1977.

Second Eagle prototype / demonstrator. It was loaned to McDonnell Douglas as a company demonstrator in February 1976 and was still a TF-15A at this time (it was redesignated to F-15B on 1 December 1977). Seen here demonstrating at the 1976 Japan International Aerospace Exhibition, in bicentennial colours with the "American Revolution Bicentennial 1776-1976" logo on the fins.