Seconding this. Why is this artwork considered a hint towards multiple J-36 prototypes beyond the two that we have already seen?
Chengdu next gen combat aircraft (?J-36)
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
Seconding this. Why is this artwork considered a hint towards multiple J-36 prototypes beyond the two that we have already seen?
His Weibo post was removed earlier and re-uploaded 19 minutes ago.. Some legitimacy perhaps?
He could be just deleting it himself, hardly a proof of legitimacy
I believe he also stated that there are static test airframes, which is likely to have been included in the count.
I'm not saying that the J-36 illustrated with caret intakes and parallel main undercarriage wheels is the one depicted outside the hangars, though.
Well, the point that he makes such a noise - and therefore raises expectations - and the explains it with "there are static test airframes" is actually lame since everyone knows this!
imo, it's more likely we have 2-3 flying + 2 static vs 4/5 flying. That would be more in line with J-20 project.
They need at least two statics to test the two different configurations.
A few years back this person started to draw these cartoons as a way to get around image embargoes. They proved to be pretty predictive for several developments.
He did predict TVC WS-15 on J-20 which to the best of my knowledge is plain wrong.
He also once drew a J-20 TVC testing configuration that ended up being correct (one AVEN TVC). I think it’s safe to say he doesn’t have special knowledge and once in a while he draws the wrong inferences but he’s usually pretty reliable about what he sees in CAC’s airfield during image embargoes.