87-6406 was the only Phantom in this blueish scheme, it was the first F-4EJ that was upgraded to RF-4EJ Kai.

This photograph was taken at Nyutabaru Air Base on November 22, 1999, and shows RF4EJ No. 392 of the 501st Sq belonging to Hyakuri Air Base. The Woodpecker bow tie, the unit markings of this aircraft, was blue. Normally, this color is yellow, but around 1999, there were also RF4 aircraft that were blue. It seems that painting them in different colors showed the enthusiasm of each aircraft maintenance unit.

This photo was taken at Nyutabaru Air Base on November 22, 1999, and shows 501Sq-RF4EJ No. 335 belonging to Hyakuri Air Base. It's hard to see in the shadows, but although this aircraft is a reconnaissance aircraft, you can see that it has Sidewinders (dummy munitions) attached under the wings. This is because the F4EJ has been converted into a reconnaissance aircraft. Incidentally, the Woodpecker bow tie that is the unit markings on this aircraft is blue. Normally, this color is yellow, but around 1999, there were also RF4 aircraft that had this color in blue.

This is an RF-4EJ of 501SQ belonging to Hyakuri Base, photographed at JASDF Nyutabaru Base on November 12, 2004. The RF-4EJ is an aircraft that was created by modifying an F-4EJ fighter aircraft into a reconnaissance type. Modification development work began in 1990, and the first flight was on February 4, 1992. The difference with the RF-4E is that, as a modified fighter aircraft, it retained the 20mm Vulcan cannon and air-to-air missile capabilities mounted on the nose. The RF-4EJ is characterized by the fact that it is equipped with three types of reconnaissance pods on the underside of t

Date range is an estimate. Photographer unknown

Of the 140 F-4EJ Phantoms delivered to the JASDF, 17 were converted to the (R)F-4EJ recce standard in the 1990's, with 47-6335 pictured here being one of the converted airframes. With the change of it's role, the aircraft's serial became 47-6335 (from previously 47-8335). It lacks the typical camera accomodating recce nose of regular RF-4's and was therefore only able to carry external LOREP pods between the main landing gear. Also clearly visible in this image is the L3Harris built AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS ECM pod (Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare System).

Ex F-4EJ 87-8406.

About to release the brakes for a 30-minute flight in clean configuration. Before conversion to RF-4EJ standard, this was 67-8380. Retired from service in March 2020.

A 1975 McDonnell Douglas-built RF-4E, converted to RF-4E Kai by Mitsubishi in the eary 1990s. Eventually withdrawn from use in June 2018.

All-weather fighters.

Leaving at dusk, on its third sortie that day. 501 Hikotai would be disbanded on 26 March 2020, exacty 58 years after all of its F-86s had been delivered, following its formation in December 1961.

Originally an F-4EJ like all later RF-4EJs, so a fighter and not a reconnaisance plane, this one was delivered as 77-8397. Upon conversion, all were reserialled to have a 6 as the first digit behind the dash, following JASDF serial system standards.