Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA4816
Grumman E-2C Hawkeye
34-3459, AEW Group, JASDF, Misawa AB, 2019
 
General Background
The Northrop E-2 Hawkeye is an all-weather airborne early warning aircraft (AEW). The E-2 was a twin-turboprop developed in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s for the USN. The E-2 is a carrier- capable aircraft and has received major upgrades in their electronics for the E-2B and E-2C with the E-2C also receiving improved turbo-prop engines. The E-2 has been in production since the 1960’s making it the longest production run of any carrier based aircraft. The E-2C variant became operational in 1973.
 
The Aircraft 
Japan’s first of 13 Grumman E-2C Hawkeye went into service with the AEW Group 601st Hikotai at Misawa in January 1987. A few of these aircraft eventually went to equip the 603rd Hikotai at Naha. In 2005 the 601st and 603rd were re-designated Hiko Keikai Kanshitai Air Warning Surveillance Squadrons but in 2014 the Hiko Keikai Kanshitai was split and became 1 and 2 Hiko Keikai Kanshitai with E-2C 34-3459 c/n A20-953 becoming part of 1 HKK. The E-2C will eventually be phased out by the newer E-2D.