J-35 carrier fighter (PLAN) thread

Blitzo

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Indeed interesting but I like the older scheme more … is this a number or a marking on its tail?

I'm not fully 100% sure that it's a new paint scheme, it looks to me like there may be a possibility it's the same existing colours but changed due to lighting/camera angle at the front. The couple of J-35s at the back after all look the same colour as before.

Of course it's also possible the J-35s at the back are of the old colour and the J-35 at the front is a new colour, but imo we can't rule out the possibility of lighting/camera effects yet.
 

Neurosmith

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I'm not fully 100% sure that it's a new paint scheme, it looks to me like there may be a possibility it's the same existing colours but changed due to lighting/camera angle at the front. The couple of J-35s at the back after all look the same colour as before.

Of course it's also possible the J-35s at the back are of the old colour and the J-35 at the front is a new colour, but imo we can't rule out the possibility of lighting/camera effects yet.
Assuming that the image is real and undoctored, I think it's quite safe to say that it's a new paint scheme rather than a trick of the light. Note how the darker shade ends at the chine of the front fuselage and also precisely at the radome's edge. It seems that the top half of the fuselage has been painted dark grey (probably to blend in better with the surface of the sea) while the bottom half retains the original lighter grey.
 

Blitzo

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Assuming that the image is real and undoctored, I think it's quite safe to say that it's a new paint scheme rather than a trick of the light. Note how the darker shade ends at the chine of the front fuselage and also precisely at the radome's edge. It seems that the top half of the fuselage has been painted dark grey (probably to blend in better with the surface of the sea) while the bottom half retains the original lighter grey.

I am tempted to agree with you, but also we've had moments in the past when a new livery has been indicated to be a trick of the light, so I always treat it with a bit of caution if imagery is not yet consistent.

I think some more images or video of the new paint scheme would put the matter to rest.
 

Neurosmith

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I am tempted to agree with you, but also we've had moments in the past when a new livery has been indicated to be a trick of the light, so I always treat it with a bit of caution if imagery is not yet consistent.

I think some more images or video of the new paint scheme would put the matter to rest.

Agreed that there have been historical precedents of light playing tricks on the eyes in such a manner. If it is indeed a new paint scheme, it wouldn't be long before higher-quality images are released.
 

Deino

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I'm not fully 100% sure that it's a new paint scheme, it looks to me like there may be a possibility it's the same existing colours but changed due to lighting/camera angle at the front. The couple of J-35s at the back after all look the same colour as before.

Of course it's also possible the J-35s at the back are of the old colour and the J-35 at the front is a new colour, but imo we can't rule out the possibility of lighting/camera effects yet.


In principle, I agree with you, but because the radome is much brighter than the fuselage (almost J-20A-like) - especially on the top-side - and compared to the two J-35s at the rear of the Fujian, I think the paint is clearly different!

Also the PLAN letters behind the canopy are much clearer visible.

1771235036502.jpeg
 

GTI

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Are the horizontal stabilisers deflected down? It’s probably a shadow effect -- but the bottom side of them looks dark like the top of the aircraft (and not the seemingly lighter scheme on the ventral / underside)?
 

siegecrossbow

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Are the horizontal stabilisers deflected down? It’s probably a shadow effect -- but the bottom side of them looks dark like the top of the aircraft (and not the seemingly lighter scheme on the ventral / underside)?
I don’t see how you can tell with this much pixelation.
 

Schwerter_

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Are the horizontal stabilisers deflected down? It’s probably a shadow effect -- but the bottom side of them looks dark like the top of the aircraft (and not the seemingly lighter scheme on the ventral / underside)?
I think those are deflected up (as horizontal stabs usually do without hydraulic pressure), so the bottom side would be in the shadows and appear rather dark
 

Phead128

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Full photo:
jVlq0D3.jpeg
This is so surreal. It's only a few years ago China was flying grandpa J-7s and only carrier was a former Varayag using J-15s off a ski-jump. It's like a light years improvement to EMCAT CATOBAR with J-35s off a Nimitz sized carrier. What, the transformation is insane. China is leapfrogging tech into the future.
 
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