Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Deino said:

Thaks that You posted it here since the J-20 tread is surely wrong.

However I have some strong reservations to cry out loud "Juhu the J-xy from SAC" since I can't think that SAC will travel its future stealthy fighter simply thru the streets.

As such I was thinking more towards a mock-up, a theme-pak model or something similar simple ??? ... or is that an L-15 trainer ???

Following some posts at the CDF, there are however some differences to exclude an L-15 .... and especially that tight securety. Reportedly it is indeed from SAC on the was to Tianjin. ... but why in Tianjin !

Anway interesting,
Deino

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Yeah I would bet a decent amount of money that this is definitely not an L-15 and you can certainly see the stealth characteristics like chining, smooth surfaces, flush edges etc

And this thing looks just the right size to be an F-35 class fighter, which is exactly what huitong's been saying SAC's "J-21" will look like.

And there is some sort of precedent for carrying important aerospace projects by road. I remember watching a documentary of JSF competition where the X-32's single wing section was formed in one production facility and transported by oversize truck for assembly with the rest of the aircraft.

So while I'm not calling this yet, if I had to make a bet, there is a good chance this is what we've been waiting for from SAC. It must be important for some reason what with the skin tight coverings and quite tight security.
Unless of course this is a PS, but =GT has given it is backing and he's not been known to be wrong about these matters

Blitzo, it would be terrific if this thing is indeed in F-35 class and design, and intended as a multi role tandem to the J-20
though unlike the F-35, no hassle about a big ass single engine, and STOVL landing requirement

if this thing really turns out to be like that or F-60 like, pure win by SAC, let's cross our fingers that this won't be a PS prank

I can't see anything what would hint to photoshop work and it has a guards travelling with it. Oddest thing is that it's being hauled in canted position... canting make's it easier to transport in tight places? That's only thing I can think about that odd position.

This is probably just a mockup and I doubt SAC suddenly departures from the Su-27 design.

Hmmmm ....

Ahh.. one of those mornings you like to wake up to. Yeah strange and suspicious it would be shipped like that. But then there were pics of the US shipping their secret unmanned drone in similar fashion.

They should know better, in the day of smartphone, nothing will be secret anymore. I wonder how long did it take from first picture exposure to the drawing by fans.

Deino said:

Hmmmm ....

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I suppose that does illustrate the possibility that it could be an l-15. But two things work against it, one I think is the shape differences such as the fairly obvious nose chining and the presence of the small tail "sting" which can be clearly seen and is something l-15 lacks. Also one has to wonder why an l-15 will be needed to ship from SAC.. In such high secrecy. We'll see I suppose. Huitong's saying the first flight of the so called j-21 is due in September. By the end of this year one way or another we should know if this particular thing is the real article or not

Bltizo said:

.... By the end of this year one way or another we should know if this particular thing is the real article or not

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.... I want it now !!!!

Maybe it's a full scale wind tunnel model. Is there any large wind tunnel facility in tianjin?

btw if it was a wind tunnel model they could still be early on in their project.

Looks like all control surface is absent on the thing covered, as well as the canopy, therefore the wing shape looks incomplete. Right now it could simply be the main body shell yet to be assembled somewhere else. Btw maybe this indicates that it will have all moving tail and horizontal stabilizers.

This is just one of those special days when you have something exciting and mysterious to look at.