Dear Sirs:
The pictures of the J-10s or the F-22s merely confirm that when you need regular access to certain components, for maintenance, replacement, upgrade or testing, you are going to need the cover (in this case obviously the skin of the aircraft) to be removable.
And as you can see, the choice of designers from various countries is almost universal, that is, screwed-on panels that can be taken off and replaced or hinged to swing away.
Every aircraft has these screwed-on panels and there's no getting away from them.
The actual load-bearing structure of the aircraft (the airframe) mainly consists of longitudinal and transverse strength members to which those external panels attach to.
Even if the skin (or certain parts of the structural members) is/are made of radar-absorbing/composite materials the main members are most certainly made of metal - there is just no replacing it when rugged, brute strength is necessary.
Show me an aircraft that doesn't use metal in the landing gear and struts, and then look underneath at the structure which the landing gear attaches to - all metal.
The finish of the F-22 as well as the flush fitting of its rivets point to the care and attention which must be paid if one desires 'low-observable' characteristics.
The fit and finish of the J-10 remind me of a MiG-29 or early Su-27, several of which visited the Philippines a long time ago (early 1990's). There was also an Su-25, and An-32 and a An-124.
The Soviets (and in particular Frontal Aviation) made their aircraft as simple and rugged as possible, as well as maintainable by pretty much anybody.
Believe me - I should know, when they visited us here it was high summer with 90+ deg F heat. I got the Deputy Chief Designer of Sukhoi - Konstantin Marbashev to sign my Air Forces Magazine with his picture in it.
There were also several brutes who looked like they just escaped from the Gulag who were apparently the aircraft mechanics.
For the price of several cases of the local beer and some barbecue, they let my friends and I walk right up to all the aircraft and touch almost everything! Ha ha ha!
They ate and drank beer right underneath the some of the aircraft!
To refuel the Sukhoi (an Su-27UB), a mechanic walked onto its back and filled it up, but the pilot complained - he wanted it really full - so the guy walks (in dirty sneakers) across the wing and stands on the missile launch rail, and then - I shit you not! - he jumps up and down till the aircraft's fuel tank belches out air and then goes back and fills it to the brim!
Let me tell you - it was a joy to watch.
The difference between the J-10 and F-22 is generational, China has reached roughly the same stage of Western aircraft of the 1980's in its fit and finish, though not necessarily in other components.
Still the J-10 is no mean achievement, probably having similar performance to late-model F-16's. What will really be interesting is the NEXT generation of Chinese fighter aircraft.
But to judge the performance of an aircraft, its engines, radar and avionics solely on its external finish, is in my opinion (if you will forgive the pun) - SUPERFICIAL.
Best Regards,
Dusky Lim
The pictures of the J-10s or the F-22s merely confirm that when you need regular access to certain components, for maintenance, replacement, upgrade or testing, you are going to need the cover (in this case obviously the skin of the aircraft) to be removable.
And as you can see, the choice of designers from various countries is almost universal, that is, screwed-on panels that can be taken off and replaced or hinged to swing away.
Every aircraft has these screwed-on panels and there's no getting away from them.
The actual load-bearing structure of the aircraft (the airframe) mainly consists of longitudinal and transverse strength members to which those external panels attach to.
Even if the skin (or certain parts of the structural members) is/are made of radar-absorbing/composite materials the main members are most certainly made of metal - there is just no replacing it when rugged, brute strength is necessary.
Show me an aircraft that doesn't use metal in the landing gear and struts, and then look underneath at the structure which the landing gear attaches to - all metal.
The finish of the F-22 as well as the flush fitting of its rivets point to the care and attention which must be paid if one desires 'low-observable' characteristics.
The fit and finish of the J-10 remind me of a MiG-29 or early Su-27, several of which visited the Philippines a long time ago (early 1990's). There was also an Su-25, and An-32 and a An-124.
The Soviets (and in particular Frontal Aviation) made their aircraft as simple and rugged as possible, as well as maintainable by pretty much anybody.
Believe me - I should know, when they visited us here it was high summer with 90+ deg F heat. I got the Deputy Chief Designer of Sukhoi - Konstantin Marbashev to sign my Air Forces Magazine with his picture in it.
There were also several brutes who looked like they just escaped from the Gulag who were apparently the aircraft mechanics.
For the price of several cases of the local beer and some barbecue, they let my friends and I walk right up to all the aircraft and touch almost everything! Ha ha ha!
They ate and drank beer right underneath the some of the aircraft!
To refuel the Sukhoi (an Su-27UB), a mechanic walked onto its back and filled it up, but the pilot complained - he wanted it really full - so the guy walks (in dirty sneakers) across the wing and stands on the missile launch rail, and then - I shit you not! - he jumps up and down till the aircraft's fuel tank belches out air and then goes back and fills it to the brim!
Let me tell you - it was a joy to watch.
The difference between the J-10 and F-22 is generational, China has reached roughly the same stage of Western aircraft of the 1980's in its fit and finish, though not necessarily in other components.
Still the J-10 is no mean achievement, probably having similar performance to late-model F-16's. What will really be interesting is the NEXT generation of Chinese fighter aircraft.
But to judge the performance of an aircraft, its engines, radar and avionics solely on its external finish, is in my opinion (if you will forgive the pun) - SUPERFICIAL.
Best Regards,
Dusky Lim
The J-10 'access panels' look exactly like those of F-16. It is something quite desirable. Also, placement of each internal component has to be such that it is maintenance friendly. 
