To admit - and especially since I do not want to destroy Your high hopes - but due to this china above the emblem I think it's the original prototype.
Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator
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To admit - and especially since I do not want to destroy Your high hopes - but due to this china above the emblem I think it's the original prototype.
JayBird
Junior Member
Didn't see the video where the pictures was captured from, but I agree with you the J-31 on the first photo is the original prototype. But wishful thinking is it possible the other pics is from second J-31?
The caption on the second pic says there are multiple support beams under this J-31, suggesting it's not a fully assembled jet. And the color of this J-31 is not black but more like the model behind on the third pic. Unless this was an old documentary video of the assembling of the original prototype.
SinoSoldier
Colonel
I'm really sorry to hear about your friend.
Anyhow, it seems from your post that you have quite a bit of experience working around aircraft. Is it possible for you to deduce at what stage of assembly the second J-31 could be in (from what few photos we have)?
SinoSoldier
Colonel
If you take a look at the screenshot of the desktop model (behind the guy being interviewed), it is clearly that of the improved prototype since it has an one-piece canopy and F-35-style vertical stabilizers.
Even if the first photo shows the original 31001 being assembled, the other photos are quite implicit of SAC's intent to build an improved version.
Really ?? IMO not; I can clearly see the frame between both canopies ... it however looks more like a twin seater but the new fin I can't see !??!
Agreed ... and that's what I hope for.
Deino
AssassinsMace
Lieutenant General
Huitong seems to agree it's the FC-31 02 being assembled.
I'm really sorry to hear about your friend.
Anyhow, it seems from your post that you have quite a bit of experience working around aircraft. Is it possible for you to deduce at what stage of assembly the second J-31 could be in (from what few photos we have)?
Thanks Sino Soldier, it was over 25 years ago, but it just broke my heart, I and several other young guys were flying right seat with him, it was very kool to cart start that Mu-2, and then run out and saddle up and fly it half the night. Flying 271MA was a lot of fun, but she was a handful? The last night I flew with him, we were in heavy rain, then ice, then a thunderstorm. Back then, there was a lady flying a Twin Beech 18 taildragger, now that would have been a ride every night, radial engines and all??
To answer your question, looks like they have the structure together and are working on systems, gear retracts, batteries and engines getting all that "buttoned up" takes time, so we could see a first flight, or at least run-ups in the next several months to 6 months time?
this is a very heavy "guestimate" as I'm guessing these are some "teasers" to catch our eye?
Just to remind you all of how "on the money" you were 4 years ago! good job crew!
I got a real kick out of reading some of these old posts, Jeff Head suggested she might be "navalized"? HEH! HEH! Heh! you guys are the greatest!
The caption on the second pic says there are multiple support beams under this J-31, suggesting it's not a fully assembled jet. And the color of this J-31 is not black but more like the model behind on the third pic. Unless this was an old documentary video of the assembling of the original prototype.
Can't be an old documentary. That portion of the video was part of the interview with CCTV reporters. Must be fairly recent.
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