Zhuhai Airshow 2016

vesicles

Colonel
OT
I doubt there is a report on the discovery or invention of gunpowder. But we cannot doubt that some Chinese invented the gun. The oldest European picture of a gun is from 1325 while I once saw a photo in the magazine Technology and Culture of a very similar gun depicted in a temple built in 1198. And you don't find a gun lying about before someone invented it.;)

The Chinese invented hand-held cannons using bamboo to shoot projectiles out. The European invented the modern firearm using the trigger mechanism found on crossbows, which were invented by the Chinese.
 

Preux

Junior Member
Wait a minute. The Chinese "discovered" gunpowder? You mean there is natural gunpowder existing in the world, which you can simply dig out of the ground and use?? You need to point me to one of those gunpowder mines so that I can get some quick bucks...

Gunpowder is a mixture of ingredients. The Chinese alchemists figured out the optimal composition of various components, which gives the max bang, so to speak. That is an invention.

I would not. Gunpowder mines - highly volatile. It has led to many tragedies.

And for illumination in gunpowder veins, it is only possible to use fireflies caught in jars. Also shoes must not be metal soled or capped. Any flames or spark will be very bad idea.
 

tidalwave

Senior Member
Registered Member
numerous chinese sources said the 2 J20 are using specialized version WS10.

Like this one showing at the Expo.
ee58b822492e91f454978693ae806276.jpg
 

taxiya

Brigadier
Registered Member
numerous chinese sources said the 2 J20 are using specialized version WS10.

Like this one showing at the Expo.
ee58b822492e91f454978693ae806276.jpg
I wonder if the brass like color of the nozzle is really coating for working purpose, or just for show only. I am afraid I do suspect the second and if so it is bad taste and childish. I hope I can be proven wrong.
 

delft

Brigadier
The Chinese invented hand-held cannons using bamboo to shoot projectiles out. The European invented the modern firearm using the trigger mechanism found on crossbows, which were invented by the Chinese.
You are talking about guns that are much more modern. :oops: These first cannons were larger, not hand held, probably cast iron or bronze, and fired using a burning fuse. The low relief depiction in the Chinese temple shows gun smoke and the ball that was fired from the cannon.
I can't remember when it was published in that US magazine, about forty years ago.
 

taxiya

Brigadier
Registered Member
The most "credible" part of that rumor is Yin Zuo mentioning it in a video, but he's said a lot of stupid crap before so nobody really believes him despite his title.
Just clarifications.

Firstly, it is
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, not Zuo.

Secondly, are you sure you are not mistaken Yin Zhuo with
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?

Both are Rear Admirals. Although Zhang has a reputation of being a bit light mouthed, Yin was pretty serious.

Yin Zhuo is not the first one saying that only today. I remember hearing it from another person saying the same thing in a CCTV program years ago after prototype 2002 by surely before prototype 2015,6... The words were not confirming WS-10, but rather "domestic engine". Truth or not, the words are not rumors from netizens regardless the credibility.
 
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