https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g02202/
https://simpleflying.com/the-shinmaywa-us-2-japans-stol-seaplane/
Still a thing in Japan. Should be fine to operate those over Black Sea areas where Russia has air superiority unless NATO decides to start shooting. Then that’s a whole other game.
Big slow drone target practice
Likely to be BE-12N models. They upgraded those with ASW sensors and kept thise. But propaganda is fun. They are probably up there with goggles and binos, wearing silk scarves, leaning out of a side blister like a PBY. /s
SMH
FWIW, a turboprop amphibian in this war is a good tool. Unless NATO gets involved, the Ukes really have no ability to attack them. They have long endurance, and can base anywhere along that Russian Black Sea coast. And of course, Russia owns all of the Sea of Azov now.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/mc-130j-seaplane-wont-fly-for-two-to-three-more-years
Interesting trivia. The USAF is currently building a float kit for SOCOM C-130s. Can’t wait to see THAT beast fly. We haven’t flown seaplanes since 1961 with the retirement of the Navy N3N Yellow Peril, and no flying boats or amphibians since they retired the Grumman Albatross in 1983. We have USAF guys playing with the Japanese amphibians to relearn ocean landings.
So what if it’s old. If it works it’s useful. After all, we’re still using the B-52.