Sayonara C-1!
- Robin Polderman
- Mar 14
- 2 min read
Report by Robin Polderman, photos by Robin Polderman & JASDF
Today, Friday 14 March 2025, the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) said goodbye to its last two C-1 transport aircraft. The Japanese designed and built cargo aircraft served the JASDF for more than 50 years.
The two aircraft last to retire were also the first C-1s built. Both aircraft, serial no. 28-1001 and 28-1002, served as prototypes for the C-1 program and first flew in 1970. Aircraft 001 was designated FTB (Flying Test Bed) and served with the JASDF Test Squadron at Gifu airbase, where it was also retired. The second aircraft was retired at Iruma airbase.
Out of the 31 C-1s built, four were lost in accidents in 1983, 1986, and 2000. A single C-1, 78-1021, was reconfigured as an Electronic Warfare training aircraft and designated EC-1. It was retired on 13 March 2025.
Most retired C-1s have already been scrapped. One (serial no. 38-1003) is preserved at Miho airbase, while 08-1030 made its last flight on 12 March 2025 when it flew from homebase Iruma to Hamamatsu, home of the JASDF museum.
What will happen to the two aircraft making the last flight is currently unknown, but it is likely they will also be saved from the scrapman’s axe.
The C-1’s successor, the Kawasaki C-2, made its first flight on 26 January 2010, and 18 have been built to date.
