China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft - esp. Y-20/YY-20

Helius

Senior Member
Registered Member
Looking at the tail number its not the same airplane

The one without the flag is a different plane. In fact, now I looked at them carefully, I think most of the images are likely from an earlier date when the competitors were being dropped off.

Interesting if somewhat of a logistical hassle, since I'm guessing #20240 dropped the team off but it didn't stay and flew back instead; then a different Y-20 (#20243) came and picked them up after...
 

Blitzo

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
The first grey Y-20B in PLAAF markings has been noted at Kaifeng …

(Images via @Oneninety from Weibo)

View attachment 109416

Looks to me like it is probably one of the prototypes painted, because there's the national flag on the tail, and if it was an in service aircraft it would probably be painted in the wholly low profile livery that current Y-20s have.

That is to say, it may not be "PLAAF markings".
 
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