The 4 engined flying boat SS2 was designed by Shin Meiwa ( a company that has a long tradition in designing and manufacturing large flying boats dating back to the 30's) upon specifications from JMSDF ( Japanese Maritime Selì Defense Force ) for an antisom airframe capable to land on sea, dive the sonar and take off upon completion of the search.

The first of two prototypes had its maiden flight on 10, 5th, 1967, and, after evaluation tests, entered in service with the designation PS-1. The aircraft was decommisioned on marfch, 1989. Dating back to June 1970, started the engineering of SS-2a, an amphibious variant of SS-2, configured for SAR tasks. The first SS-2a took off from water during october 1974, and from land the next december. The delivers of the aircraft began on march 1975.

Starting from the seventh aircraft, more powerful engines were installed, and the designation changed in CS-1A. The airframe of SS-2A differs slightly from the SS-2's: the only difference is a tricycle landing gear. The cabin has room for nine crew members, and a maximum of 20 shipwreck victims or 12 stretchers.

The rescue equipment contains bengal lights, sea markers, a small boat with offboard engine, rescue buoys, floating lights etc. There are also segnalation devices and a loudspeaker to direct the rescue operations.

a Shin Meiwa SS-2A of 710th Kokutai (group) of JMSDF

Photos courtesy of Rolf Wallner at Airliners.net