“Fulongzhi” Photo Record (Part 1)

“Fulongzhi” Photo Record (Part 2)

November 19, 1985

At 7:30 AM, the rented Cessna 172 took off from Naha Airport. Visibility was approximately 40 km.

At 9:10 AM, a small white dot was spotted between the clouds and the sea over the East China Sea. Observation through binoculars confirmed it was the “Fulongzhi”. Two warships were ahead of the vessel, with one following behind.

At 9:30 AM, flew over the “Fulongzhi”. Shibata requested the pilot to approach from the side of the “Fulongzhi” in a circling pattern at an altitude of 200 feet (over 60 meters). After photographing the foredeck and panorama using an 85mm lens, continued photographing various parts of the hull.

Next came that critical moment of discovering the Chinese Navy: