Remains of Landing Practice at Chiran Airfield
The Former Army Chiran Airfield Landing Training Facility Anchor Block (Chintei) (旧陸軍知覧飛行場着陸訓練施設鎮碇) is a reinforced concrete anchor block of 1941, used to fix the ropes for landing practice at the former Army Chiran Airfield, in Chiran-cho, Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture, which in 2007 was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a height of 2.3 metres and an area of 70 square metres, owned by Minamikyushu City and registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
The Agency places it west of the former Chiran airfield, now Chiran Peace Park.
Structure
According to the Agency, a floor 10 metres north-south and 6 metres east-west carries two legs set slightly west of centre, joined by a beam to which the rope was fixed.
Minamikyushu City describes two trapezoidal bases set apart with a semicircular structure on top, bearing traces of the fittings that held the wire.
What to Look For
Minamikyushu City explains that it was part of a device for teaching pilots the right height for touchdown: a wire ran from a tower about 150 metres away, and a simple trainer slid along it on pulleys.
Aircraft of the time had wheels under both wings and at the tail and had to land on all three at once. A poor landing made the plane bounce, damaging it or giving the crew whiplash, so trainees practised the height for a three-point landing. The Agency values it as a rare remnant showing the flight training facilities of the time.
Visiting the Former Army Chiran Airfield Landing Training Facility Anchor Block (Chintei)
No official information on visiting conditions could be found.
Enquiries: Minamikyushu City cultural properties section, 0993-83-4433.
Q&A
- When was the anchor block built?
- In 1941.
- What was it for?
- Fixing the rope used for landing practice.
- How did the training work?
- A wire from a tower 150 metres away carried a simple trainer on pulleys to teach three-point landing height.
- How big is it?
- A floor 10 by 6 metres and a height of 2.3 metres.
- Where is it?
- West of the former Chiran airfield, now Chiran Peace Park.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Army Chiran Airfield Landing Training Facility Anchor Block (Chintei) (旧陸軍知覧飛行場着陸訓練施設鎮碇) |
|---|---|
| Location | 17885-3 Kori, Chiran-cho, Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2007/7/31 (Heisei 19) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, 2.3 metres high, area 70 square metres |
| Owner | Minamikyushu City |
| Public Access | No official visitor information found |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Chiran Airfield Anchor Block (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00006564
- Cultural Heritage Online: Chiran Airfield Anchor Block (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/119637
- Minamikyushu City: Chiran Airfield Anchor Block (Japanese)
- https://www.city.minamikyushu.lg.jp/sport_bunka_kyoiku/rekishi_bunkazai/2/3/4171.html
Last verified: 2026.09.28