Honestly ... I will ignore everything else You posted in regard to honor, my own pride, arrogance to admit mistakes, flaws in my logic or a possible “Deino-fan-club” here.
IMO it’s up to others to decide, who’s honorable and who’s not, who is pride or who is arrogant …
But o.k. … let us argue and discuss at Your “theory”:
I think here it’s You, who’s wrong.
I never said the F-15 did not use the F100. I said exactly the same type of version. If You don’t know, the F-15 uses originally the F100-PW-100, while the F-16 the F100-PW-200. As such – if You would have read correctly – my argument was correct: the F-15 never used a F100 that was formerly used in a F-16 and vice versa and the same – so my assumption – goes for the J-10 with the FN and the Flanker with the older F; both engines are IMO not interchangeable.
That was only later achieved with the F100-PW-220 from 1986 on and – here the USAF was quite special for aircraft using the “common engine bay” configuration (F-16 Block 30/32), which are also capable to use the F110-GE. And this exactly brings us to the next point:
Then give us any hint or at least any source for this ! So far it is only a theory…
How on earth and what has the “way Chinese minds ticks” to do with solid engineering ?
Maybe You could tell us what’s Your technical or engineering background? Are You involved in engine manufacturing and maintenance?
I admit, I’m not an engineer, but all I asked tell me it is possible but surely for an operational fleet especially if stocks of engines are available not feasible. So again why should they do this ? Only since Chinese engineers tick differently?
As such You are surely correct, Chinese mind tick different … but they are not stupid.
Again: I don’t say it is impossible to convert these engines, but given the huge purchases that are well documented – in fact all but the first one – it is ridiculous to think the PLAAF would rework Fs to FN only for fun… otherwise what engine would then the J-11As are using ? Surely not FNs back-converted to Fs ?? And so far we have not seen any operational J-11A converted to a WS-10A.
Sorry to say so, but there are so many logical flaws in Your theory, a theory that in fact is not impossible, but that does not make any sense … not the slightest bit.
Sorry, but where did You prove me wrong ?? You posted again images of an AL-31F and an FN but nothing more and again I think You did not read correctly: Just look at the South African Mirage F1 refitted with the Russian RD-33-version. It was a heavy modified single airframe … and not an operational bird and the same is for most re-engine programs. Building test-specimen or prototypes is always possible, but swapping different engines on different aircraft types is simply a different story.
You are however correct in one point – not sure if You even noticed – and I think it is indeed an issue, where I need to correct my so far established meaning: we just got an image of the rarely seen J-10 prototype 1004 fitted with an WS-10B … that’s the first proof that also the J-10A can use the Taihang. BUT … and here a huge but: we don’t know how heavily it was rebuild or modified to use this engine. Was it ever rebuild with an AL-31FN or later simply retired as all other 100x-series prototypes ? I don’t know, but the fact alone that so far no operational J-10A used a WS-10B or any operational J-11A the WS-10A tells me that is is either not that easy to interchange engines or it is not done due to other reasons …
That’s wrong, plain wrong to say so … and maybe You got this again from Wiki and it is as plain wrong as these reports that Iran sold one Tomcat to Russia … but anyway, this is not the point here.
By the way … quoting Wiki is not the best way to earn a reputation as a trusted poster and here just one hint to Huitong – since you mentioned him - … I perfectly aware who he is and just to correct You: it’s indeed not the number of posts anyone here, but the quality of content and especially in this regard he’s surely one of the most respected members here even if he has only a low number of post … not sure if this can count on You too so far?
Deino
IMO it’s up to others to decide, who’s honorable and who’s not, who is pride or who is arrogant …
But o.k. … let us argue and discuss at Your “theory”:
You are wrong again on this one yet again. The PW F100 did powered an F15.
…
So you see your argument is flawed as F16 and F-15 were indeed powered both Pratt and Whitney F100-100 as well as GE F110-GE-100 series engine at one time of their service.
I think here it’s You, who’s wrong.
I never said the F-15 did not use the F100. I said exactly the same type of version. If You don’t know, the F-15 uses originally the F100-PW-100, while the F-16 the F100-PW-200. As such – if You would have read correctly – my argument was correct: the F-15 never used a F100 that was formerly used in a F-16 and vice versa and the same – so my assumption – goes for the J-10 with the FN and the Flanker with the older F; both engines are IMO not interchangeable.
That was only later achieved with the F100-PW-220 from 1986 on and – here the USAF was quite special for aircraft using the “common engine bay” configuration (F-16 Block 30/32), which are also capable to use the F110-GE. And this exactly brings us to the next point:
Back to the differing point of our debate:
I have opined that the first engine for the J-10 fighter was in fact a modified AL31F with its gearbox relocated by the Chinese Aviation engineers. For the production model China submitted their requirement and specification based on this modification to Russian Manufacturer Salyut.
Then give us any hint or at least any source for this ! So far it is only a theory…
You openly disagree calling mine a theory without any credible source and opined since this is the first time, you ever heard of it, it never happened and even claimed that AL31FN is a completely different engine from AL31F. Next question: Do you truly understand how Chinese minds tick?
AL31F and AL31FN are not theory but REAL and FINISHED product.
This is where my disappointment with you begins. Your lack of understanding on the subject of powerplant for the J10 and J11, the AL31F and its different variants although you do pride yourself as an expert in this subject citing case of articles you posted.
How on earth and what has the “way Chinese minds ticks” to do with solid engineering ?
Maybe You could tell us what’s Your technical or engineering background? Are You involved in engine manufacturing and maintenance?
I admit, I’m not an engineer, but all I asked tell me it is possible but surely for an operational fleet especially if stocks of engines are available not feasible. So again why should they do this ? Only since Chinese engineers tick differently?
As such You are surely correct, Chinese mind tick different … but they are not stupid.
Again: I don’t say it is impossible to convert these engines, but given the huge purchases that are well documented – in fact all but the first one – it is ridiculous to think the PLAAF would rework Fs to FN only for fun… otherwise what engine would then the J-11As are using ? Surely not FNs back-converted to Fs ?? And so far we have not seen any operational J-11A converted to a WS-10A.
Sorry to say so, but there are so many logical flaws in Your theory, a theory that in fact is not impossible, but that does not make any sense … not the slightest bit.
You also opined that different made engines are not switchable in a single aircraft and I prove to you wrong citing the two different WS10A and AL31FN that powered J10 or WS10A and AL31F.
Sorry, but where did You prove me wrong ?? You posted again images of an AL-31F and an FN but nothing more and again I think You did not read correctly: Just look at the South African Mirage F1 refitted with the Russian RD-33-version. It was a heavy modified single airframe … and not an operational bird and the same is for most re-engine programs. Building test-specimen or prototypes is always possible, but swapping different engines on different aircraft types is simply a different story.
You are however correct in one point – not sure if You even noticed – and I think it is indeed an issue, where I need to correct my so far established meaning: we just got an image of the rarely seen J-10 prototype 1004 fitted with an WS-10B … that’s the first proof that also the J-10A can use the Taihang. BUT … and here a huge but: we don’t know how heavily it was rebuild or modified to use this engine. Was it ever rebuild with an AL-31FN or later simply retired as all other 100x-series prototypes ? I don’t know, but the fact alone that so far no operational J-10A used a WS-10B or any operational J-11A the WS-10A tells me that is is either not that easy to interchange engines or it is not done due to other reasons …
Russia did offer Iran to re-engine the Grumman F14 with their stock AL31F turbofan.
That’s wrong, plain wrong to say so … and maybe You got this again from Wiki and it is as plain wrong as these reports that Iran sold one Tomcat to Russia … but anyway, this is not the point here.
By the way … quoting Wiki is not the best way to earn a reputation as a trusted poster and here just one hint to Huitong – since you mentioned him - … I perfectly aware who he is and just to correct You: it’s indeed not the number of posts anyone here, but the quality of content and especially in this regard he’s surely one of the most respected members here even if he has only a low number of post … not sure if this can count on You too so far?
Deino
Last edited: