Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

AssassinsMace said:

There are pics of the J-31 with the gear up. Look back...

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Yes, I know, I asked about that already

Only, it looks like standard operational procedure for 3101 to fly with gear down . Why do they that (problems, technical issues, further development needed for internal bays ... ) is anybody's guess . But if J-31 really got backing from Chinese government, they would have solved that long ago . Since they didn't, well ... I already said what I had to say .

no_name said:

Wow! 3 posts in 7 years since registered!

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I'm not used to comment on inane and off topic posts like this one.

thunderchief said:

Yes, I know, I asked about that already

Only, it looks like standard operational procedure for 3101 to fly with gear down . Why do they that (problems, technical issues, further development needed for internal bays ... ) is anybody's guess . But if J-31 really got backing from Chinese government, they would have solved that long ago . Since they didn't, well ... I already said what I had to say .

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And how would you know when those pics and videos were taken? How would you expect to see high-speed maneuvering from someone on the ground recording from a camera or cell phone. A high-speed maneuvering off road vehicle that can keep pace? You can't have reliable information coming from fan enthusiasts to judge anything beyond what you can see from a picture or video.

If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one there to see it, does it make a sound?

Could the J-31 be used as a comparable benchmark for the J-20 flight envelope? A more conventional 5th gen design versus the J-20. Granted the J-31 have less powerful engines but it is also smaller and weighted less, not to mention that the J-20 is currently not using the final engine designed for it.

lostboy said:

I'm not used to comment on inane and off topic posts like this one.

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Well, it's nice to see that I'm helping you contribute 25% of your postings

That's also 25% off topic.

no_name said:

Well, it's nice to see that I'm helping you contribute 25% of your postings

That's also 25% off topic.

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Okay guys, back to the J-31, there are any number of reasons that aircraft progress a step at a time, look back in the J-20 thread, and you will find that I was flabbergasted with how fast the initial steps were being taken, and as I stated back then, it did move right along. The J-31 is progressing at a more "normative" rate, a lot of that depends on how much cash is available, as well as how much engineering/fabrication excess is available for "prototyping".

and Mace knows I'm not suggesting that the PLAAF is out of money, but that the world wide economic crunch has a trickle down effect, and the US and Europe are up to our collecting necks is "debt", the more debt, the less collective cashola, and as one of the biggest, if not the biggest consumer of Chinese goods and services, the US is hurtin for certain, and Obama's Recovery ??????? not so much????????? lets just say things are "TIGHT".

AssassinsMace said:

And how would you know when those pics and videos were taken? How would you expect to see high-speed maneuvering from someone on the ground recording from a camera or cell phone. A high-speed maneuvering off road vehicle that can keep pace? You can't have reliable information coming from fan enthusiasts to judge anything beyond what you can see from a picture or video.

If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one there to see it, does it make a sound?

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Simply by comparing with J-20 videos and pics (also taken bu amateurs and enthusiasts). J-20 takes off, raises gear, performs flight maneuvers . J-31 flies in circles with gear down (and no, it's not landing pattern) . Add to that official stance on J-20 and J-31, plus number of prototypes - writing is on the wall.

There was one nice video of J-31 form last year (below) , and I was getting my hopes high . But alas, videos from 2014 are disappointing and looks like J-31 fell without anyone seeing it

[video=youtube;WrjsizK1ZxU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrjsizK1ZxU[/video]

thunderchief said:

Simply by comparing with J-20 videos and pics (also taken bu amateurs and enthusiasts). J-20 takes off, raises gear, performs flight maneuvers . J-31 flies in circles with gear down (and no, it's not landing pattern) . Add to that official stance on J-20 and J-31, plus number of prototypes - writing is on the wall.

There was one nice video of J-31 form last year (below) , and I was getting my hopes high . But alas, videos from 2014 are disappointing

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Here again, not a lot of videos of the J-20 either, are there????? apply logic evenly my boy, don't allow your suppositions to guide your thoughts, but LOOK, with a transit, that will level the playing field, so yes J-31s videos are disappointing, but to my mind so are the J-20 videos?????? and yes the J-20 is probably 6-10 years ahead of the J-31...?????

Air Force Brat said:

Here again, not a lot of videos of the J-20 either, are there????? apply logic evenly my boy, don't allow your suppositions to guide your thoughts, but LOOK, with a transit, that will level the playing field, so yes J-31s videos are disappointing, but to my mind so are the J-20 videos?????? and yes the J-20 is probably 6-10 years ahead of the J-31...?????

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I do remember asking why the J-20 always had its landing gear down in almost all the photos we had a while back. And someone enlightened me that it was essential at the early stages of testing. So the J-20 also had this stage where it always had its gear down. So let's be patient. The J-31 definitely does not have the kind of priority that the J-20 has. However, it definitely does not mean it has been cut or anything.

Not sure if this is new. I don't have it in my library. Not even sure it's CGI. Looks real.