China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft

Insignius

Junior Member
People say that the new Y-20 in Yanliang is a tanker version.

There are quite a few differences there; such as not only the pylons but also the complete removal of the gear housing in favor of a smaller one.
 

KIENCHIN

Junior Member
Registered Member
For reference, this is a picture that A.man posted in the engine thread and it shows an Ilyushin flying with 1 WS-20 and the pylon that supports the WS-20 appears to be the exact type seen here in quadruplicates on this new Y-20 airframe. These 2 posts together puts things in perspective and I think they indicate that this is no static test but the first WS-20 powered Y-20 prototype.
I dont know how Deino does it but he is always spot on, on his observation and deduction. You're the man Deino, good job.
 

KIENCHIN

Junior Member
Registered Member
People say that the new Y-20 in Yanliang is a tanker version.

There are quite a few differences there; such as not only the pylons but also the complete removal of the gear housing in favor of a smaller one.
I would say if there is an urgnt need for tankers it would be to convert the remaining llushin 76 to the 78 standard as the Y20's are delivered to replace them. If the rear end with the tarp covered is different it would be more likely an AEW conversion just like what was done on the KJ 500 and with the need for endurance, fitted with better fuel efficient WS20 engines.
 

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Hmmm ... even if an interesting theory, I would not overrate these blurred images. IMO the aerodynamic fairing to cover the gears is simply not installed yet similar to the aerodynamic cover of the wings on top, since they are not structural necessary for a static test.

Deino
 

Equation

Lieutenant General
Watz that!

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PLAAF BB-8?:p
 

taxiya

Brigadier
Registered Member
It's really crazy to haul a giant plane on roads!
hehe, not that crazy or out of norm for people in Yanlian if you know the history of the town. It started as a campus/complex of XAC exclusively, every road and building was property of XAC. Nowadays, there are more non XAC related civilians working and living in the town for restaurants, shop vendors etc., but everybody knows that the town is equal to XAC. I guess even the Shaanxi provincial government sees and treats it that way.
 
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