Why the heck the RAN or RAAF haven't invested in the US-2 or future models is beyond me. Australia's vast coastline, outer islands and territories would be well served by monstrous amphibians!
Because if its not an emergency it can be serviced by boat. If its an emergency it can be serviced by Airdrop with much faster more efficient aircraft that we already have. (C130), US-2 are pretty slow.
Japan primarily uses these things for long range search and rescues. Something Australia already does with C130 and are pretty good at.
Already have the Canadair super scoopers and you use what you have. But also a smaller plane can land on smaller lakes closer to the fire, so a reduced turnaround time can more than cancel out the gains from dumping more in one drop.
Also it's a military aircraft from Japan, so it's probably not even possible to buy one even if you wanted to.
It’s astounding to see a big flying boat operating in open water like this, and the blown flaps and their 5th engine is how it’s able to be a true oceanic seaplane.
Tbf ShinMaywa used to be known as Kawanishi which was famous for their float planes and flying boats, many types of which saw service in WW2. They're still making what they're good at.
Love that bit of continuity. Kawanishi to ShinMaywa feels like one of the few cases where a company just kept honing the same niche until they ended up with something as wild and refined as the US 2.
theseasentinel73@reddit
Why the heck the RAN or RAAF haven't invested in the US-2 or future models is beyond me. Australia's vast coastline, outer islands and territories would be well served by monstrous amphibians!
RestaurantFamous2399@reddit
Because if its not an emergency it can be serviced by boat. If its an emergency it can be serviced by Airdrop with much faster more efficient aircraft that we already have. (C130), US-2 are pretty slow.
Japan primarily uses these things for long range search and rescues. Something Australia already does with C130 and are pretty good at.
salooski@reddit
Similar question, but why doesn't the US/Canada/Europe procure some of these as water bombers for fire season?
Sedover@reddit
Already have the Canadair super scoopers and you use what you have. But also a smaller plane can land on smaller lakes closer to the fire, so a reduced turnaround time can more than cancel out the gains from dumping more in one drop.
Also it's a military aircraft from Japan, so it's probably not even possible to buy one even if you wanted to.
PerceivedUnheroic679@reddit
Something about this camera makes it look like a simulator, I'm pretty sure it's not but its got that look to it.
I've seen other photos of the same plane with a similar look so maybe its a fan of the aircraft with a weird camera filter
IOfWooglin@reddit
I realize it’s totally insane, but billionaire me would try and procure and convert one to VIP config.
antarcticgecko@reddit
They did that with Catalinas after the war. There's still a wrecked VIP config in Egypt somewhere visible on Google Earth.
IOfWooglin@reddit
I mean, real billionaire me would figure out how to build a new Boeing 314.
Hyperious3@reddit
amazing how fast she gets up on step and off the water for a plane her size
Actual_Environment_7@reddit
It’s astounding to see a big flying boat operating in open water like this, and the blown flaps and their 5th engine is how it’s able to be a true oceanic seaplane.
thesixfingerman@reddit
It’s nice to see sea planes making a comeback. Now, if only I could find one that has a twin boon tail.
syraku@reddit
Tbf ShinMaywa used to be known as Kawanishi which was famous for their float planes and flying boats, many types of which saw service in WW2. They're still making what they're good at.
quiet_peak_1011@reddit
Love that bit of continuity. Kawanishi to ShinMaywa feels like one of the few cases where a company just kept honing the same niche until they ended up with something as wild and refined as the US 2.
FuturePastNow@reddit
Yep, you can draw a direct lineage from this back to the H8K
novwhisky@reddit
I’m like, why doe this video look so modern?
Basis-Some@reddit
Because it’s fake
Logical-Bowl2424@reddit
There’s the bv 138 from ww2
Dabelgianguy@reddit
I wonder what it feels like to take off with this plane. It’s gaining altitude with a flat angle
yuchix@reddit
Gotta love seaplanes. There's just so much romance in them.
Pyrhan@reddit
If I was rich AF, I'd get a seaplane and live island-hopping across the world.
Sad-Onion-2593@reddit
They're making a modernised version of the Catalina. Modern Engines, modern hull, modern electronics, classic body.
I'd get one, if I could afford it.
the_ranting_swede@reddit
We live on an ocean planet, but we're a species that clings to the rocky quarter.
Seaplanes just make sense for planet whose surface is 3/4 water.
Basis-Some@reddit
Why the AI
waldo--pepper@reddit
Just looking at her makes me feel like I cheated on my wife.
BillCatFlags@reddit
What?? Are you married to a DHC-6 Twin Otter on floats? 😁
DukeBradford2@reddit
Serious bond villain vibes
AreWeThereYetNo@reddit
Context?
lucasxx10294w@reddit
Why the hell u got downvoted?
This_Is_TwoThree@reddit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShinMaywa_US-2
Pretty_Aside_7674@reddit
This could do well for a passenger version