T-1 Hatsutaka

The Fuji T-1 Hatsutaka was a jet-powered trainer aircraft designed and produced by the Japanese conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries. It was Japan's first jet-powered trainer aircraft as well as its first to make use of a swept wing. The T-1 emerged out of the early post-war efforts to re-establish and advance Japan's indigenous aviation sector. The initiative to develop a domestic jet trainer was announced by the Japanese Defense Agency in early 1954; one year later, work on a suitable indigenous powerplant commenced. The rate of progress on this turbojet engine, the Ishikawajima-Harima J3, was not quick enough for the wider programme, thus initial aircraft, designated T-1A, were powered by the imported Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet engine instead. During January 1958, one such aircraft performed the type's maiden flight. It was soon followed by the T-1B and T-1C variants. Despite intentions to produce as many as 200 T-1 trainers for the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF), a change in trainer needs and a decision to import the American Lockheed T-33A jet trainer undermined demand for the T-1. No international sales were secured for the type either. Ultimately, 66 T-1s were completed. Despite the type's curtailed production, it had a lengthy service life. The final examples were retired during March 2006, at which point the aircraft had been replaced by the newer Kawasaki T-4.

Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.