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In January 1966 Shin Meiwa was awarded a contract to develop a new anti-submarine flying-boat for the JMSDF. Company designated SS-2, the flying-boat was also adapted for amphibious operation as the SS-2A. In the ASW configuration the SS-2 received the JMSDF designation PS-1, while as a search and rescue aircraft it was designated US-1.
The first PS-1 prototype flew on 5 October 1967. By March 1979 Shin Meiwa had delivered two prototypes and 22 production PS-1s to the JMSDF, serving with the 31st Air Group for ASW duties.
The first US-1 flew on 16 October 1974. A total of 12 US-1s were built by 1988.
In cooperation with the JMSDF and the National Fire Agency, Shin Meiwa converted the first PS-1 prototype into a water-bombing test-bed; it could deliver a total of 185 tonnes of water, picked up 70km from base, to a site 10km away, in 3 hours 36 minutes. The proposed production version could deliver 315 tonnes to a site the same distance from its base before needing to refuel.
| CREW | 5-10 |
| ENGINE | 4 x turbo-prop GE T-64, 2250kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 43000 kg | 94799 lb |
| Empty weight | 26300 kg | 57982 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 33.1 m | 109 ft 7 in |
| Length | 33.5 m | 110 ft 11 in |
| Height | 9.7 m | 32 ft 10 in |
| Wing area | 135.8 m2 | 1461.74 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 545 km/h | 339 mph |
| Ceiling | 9000 m | 29550 ft |
| Range | 4700 km | 2921 miles |
| Gene Schenck, GSchnavy(@)aol.com, 09.03.2010 Shin Meiwa Aircraft Company modified an Navy UF (HU-16) to start the PS-1 program. I at the time was in the Navy and was assigned to Shin Meiwa as a Military Rep. Shin Meiwa was overhauling and doing corrosion control on the P-5M.
Shin Meiwa had some great Engineers and Mechanics. | | Sam, samrosenbaum(@)smyth.net, 23.03.2009 In 1984-85 I watched these planes take off and land in the sealanes at MCAS Iwakuni. They were graceful and a pleasure to watch. After landing they would water taxi to a ramp and move up onto land. | | Hiroyuki Takeuchi, 30.01.2009 Sorry I meant US-2 | | Hiroyuki Takeuchi, cxc02366(@)nifty.com, 30.01.2009 A new version, PS-2 is now being built. The 3rd plane just took off a few days ago. It has more powerful engines, pressurized cabin, and better equipment. Looks very good in dark blue camouflage.
http://www.shinmaywa.co.jp/news/p_news2008_1216.htm | | Paul, phantomphixer(@)roadrunner.com, 17.10.2008 Say one takeoff at NAF Atsugi this am. Still here in Japan JMSDF service 17 Oct 08 | | Mick, hotideas(@)hotmail.com, 30.09.2008 I wonder if any of these boats are still operational! Always liked the design. Love to see how it performs as a Water Bomber! |
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