Ishikawajima T-2

The Ishikawajima T‑2 is a Japanese primary‑training aircraft developed in the early 1960s and produced by the Tachikawa Aircraft Company. Conceived to replace the aging Yokosuka K5Y and later the North American T‑6, the T‑2 first flew on 12 March 1965 and entered service with the Japan Air Self‑Defense Force in 1967. The airframe is a conventional low‑wing monoplane of all‑metal construction, powered by a 360 hp Lycoming IO‑540‑D15A six‑cylinder horizontally opposed engine driving a two‑bladed propeller. Its fixed tricycle landing gear, spacious tandem cockpit and dual‑control system provide a forgiving flight envelope for novice pilots while still delivering performance comparable to contemporary trainers, with a maximum speed of 210 km/h and a range of 1 200 km. The T‑2’s simple maintenance requirements and robust structure made it ideal for both basic flight instruction and aerobatic training, and a small number were later adapted for liaison and light‑utility roles. Though production ceased in 1973 after 210 units, the T‑2 influenced later Japanese trainers such as the Fuji T‑1 and remains a symbol of Japan’s post‑war aviation resurgence. Several surviving examples are displayed in Japanese aviation museums, preserving its role in shaping modern pilot training doctrines.