Kawasaki C-1
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The Kawasaki C-1 is a twin-engined short-range STOL military transport, used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Development on it began in 1966 as the JASDF sought to replace its aging, WWII-era C-46 Commandos, production in 1971, and it remains in use today.
Development
In 1966, the JASDF transport fleet was composed primarily of Curtiss C-46 Commandos, a retired midwar American design built in large numbers before the end of World War II. While relatively capable for its time, the C-46 did not fare well in comparison to newer aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and the JASDF therefore elected to replace it with a domestically-designed and -manufactured transport aircraft.For this purpose, they turned to the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Company, a consortium of several major corporations, which had begun to produce commercially its YS-11 airliner four years earlier. NAMC decided that Kawasaki Heavy Industries was to be the prime contractor, and the airplane thus bears that company's name.
Operational History
The Kawasaki C-1 has been in use since 1974.
Variants
- XC-1 - Prototypes.
- C-1 - Medium-range military transport version.
- The last five C-1s ordered were fitted with an additional 1250 gallon (4730 liter) fuel tank.
Operators
C-1- 402nd Squadron, 2nd Tactical Airlift Group, JSADF, Iruma AB
- 403rd Squadron, 3rd Tactical Airlift Group, JSADF, Miho AB
- Air Development and Test Wing, Gifu AB, JSADF
Specifications of Kawasaki C-1
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