Former Hitachi Aircraft Tachikawa Factory Transformer Substation

The Former Hitachi Aircraft Tachikawa Factory Transformer Substation (旧日立航空機立川工場変電所, kyuhitachikoukuukitachikawakoujyouhendensho) is a building in Higashiyamato, Tokyo. Damaged in US air raids during World War II, it is maintained as a war memorial.[1][2]

Hitachi Aircraft Tachikawa Factory Transformer Substation
Native name
旧日立航空機立川工場変電所 (Japanese)
LocationHigashiyamato, Tokyo
Built1938

History

edit

The building served as a transformer substation for the Hitachi Aircraft Company factory located in Tachikawa. Built in 1938, it was attacked repeatedly during the latter part of World War II. On February 17 it was attacked by US Navy F6F Hellcat fighters and other aircraft, and on April 19 by US Army Air Force P-51 Mustang aircraft. On April 29 B-29 bombing raids destroyed local factories and slightly damaged the substation.

After the war it operated until 1993. On October 1, 1995 it was designated as a cultural asset and is now located in a public park.[1]

Visits

edit

The substation is open every Wednesday and Sunday between 10:30am-4pm. No registrations are necessary.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Former Hitachi plane transformer substation". www.city.higashiyamato.lg.jp.e.fp.hp.transer.com. Higashiyamato City. Archived from the original on February 7, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  2. ^ "Higashiyamato eyes 'furusato nozei' campaign to save bullet-riddled WWII power station". Japan Times. August 24, 2016. Archived from the original on January 1, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2017.