Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

SinoSoldier

Colonel
From Hui Tong: Navalized FC-31? -
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FC-31.jpg

Looks like a very poorly made model, both in fidelity and workmanship.
 

Deino

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Looks like a very poorly made model, both in fidelity and workmanship.


Not sure and given the hype in some forums already expecting a PLANAF version (since it carries the flag) I had a similar question, esp. on how "official" and how "new" this model is?
As such the main question is, how reliable is this model ?

Is it a true model made by SAC/AVIC with the PLANAF flag as a hint (for maybe a new interest in that bird?) or is it a fan-made-model with simply the PLANAF-flag patched on it?

Even more, how recent is it ? Is it from the time, when the PLA was still interested (if it ever was?) and as such does not match the current V2-configuration or is it a recent one showing modifications esp. for a carrier-version ?

Deino
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
Another image of the naval model has popped up. According to online observers, previous models from SAC have been quite accurate, so the fact that this one differs from the V2.0 is confusing to many.

Personally I think it's simply a hastily-made model (probably done by re-using an old V1.0 model); it makes absolutely no sense to go backwards in terms of design evolution. Doing such a thing neither saves time nor cost.

648c145ejw1fcug1j4gn3j20ku0g275i.jpg
 

Deino

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Another image of the naval model has popped up. According to online observers, previous models from SAC have been quite accurate, so the fact that this one differs from the V2.0 is confusing to many.

Personally I think it's simply a hastily-made model (probably done by re-using an old V1.0 model); it makes absolutely no sense to go backwards in terms of design evolution. Doing such a thing neither saves time nor cost.

View attachment 36443


But in general it would help t know a bit more:

how recent, how reliable is this model and where it displayed ??

Deino
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
But in general it would help t know a bit more:

how recent, how reliable is this model and where it displayed ??

Deino

According to fresh rumors (speculation, perhaps?), the model is an old one that was made before the V2.0 appeared.

But does that mean the PLAN is not necessarily interested in it?
 

Blitzo

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According to fresh rumors (speculation, perhaps?), the model is an old one that was made before the V2.0 appeared.

But does that mean the PLAN is not necessarily interested in it?

I think the model doesn't tell us anything new -- i.e.: we don't know if anyone (air force, or in this case navy) wants it or not.

For all we know this could be the company trying to promote it to the navy, or it could be reflective of the navy showing interest in it or anything in between.


The configuration of the model probably reflects poor model production that didn't pay enough attention to details.
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
I think the model doesn't tell us anything new -- i.e.: we don't know if anyone (air force, or in this case navy) wants it or not.

For all we know this could be the company trying to promote it to the navy, or it could be reflective of the navy showing interest in it or anything in between.


The configuration of the model probably reflects poor model production that didn't pay enough attention to details.

If it were any other model, we'd probably brush it off as a poorly-made one. However, people are saying that preceding models from SAC have been very accurate (recall that the v2.0 configuration was first unveiled in model form), which is the source of the confusion.

Now there are rumors that this is merely an old (i.e. rehashed) model. The PLAN flag doesn't mean much at this point since the aircraft doesn't even have tailhooks or catapult-oriented landing gear.
 

Blitzo

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If it were any other model, we'd probably brush it off as a poorly-made one. However, people are saying that preceding models from SAC have been very accurate (recall that the v2.0 configuration was first unveiled in model form), which is the source of the confusion.

Now there are rumors that this is merely an old (i.e. rehashed) model. The PLAN flag doesn't mean much at this point since the aircraft doesn't even have tailhooks or catapult-oriented landing gear.

The previous models you are talking about were known to be associated with SAC.
Do we know whether this model is associated with SAC?


And even if it is associated with SAC, just how much information can we actually infer from it even if we used past precedent/pattern? I think there's not much to infer.
 
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