History of Chinese Aviation Industry, J-12 was Stepping stone for Fighters like JF-17, J-10 & J-20.

Описание: 1: China has made huge advances in aerospace industry that in a short span of time, people have lost what was the 1st aircraft designed and made by china.
2: Now in a museum, J-12 Nanchang was china`s 1st aircraft and a pretty good one lightweight fighter
3: Most of the Chinese project remain secret but this plane designed in mid 60`s was no different.
4: China wanted a smaller, lighter, and more agile than the-then current generation of combat jets
5: like Mig-19 and F-4 Phantom specially. A project started in April 67 was given go ahead in 69.
6: It was suppose to replace J-6 or F-6 as in Pakistan we know it. Which actually was a Mig-19 licenced built in China and in huge numbers.
7: maneuverability, a short take-off and landing (STOL) capability was to be considered also easy to maintain and cheap to acquire and operate
8: 2 design teams produced 2 designs, Shenyang with its J-11, Yes J-11 and Nanchang with J-12.
9: J-11 was rejected and J-12 was given go ahead and in August 69, basic design was approved and 3 prototypes were made within 18 months.
10: 1st flight took place on 26-12-70. 2 airframes flew and 3rd one was for static testing.
11: Design team that made Q-5 was selected made a plane that was manouverable & can attain 1.5 Mach speed. It was powered by a single engine WP-6B. and had swept wings for speed.
12: J-12 weighed less than 7,000, Mig-21 was 10,700 pounds, J-12 had no radar. And had less range than Mig-21. With 861 miles as compared to 980 miles of Mig-21.
13: J-12 comprised internal 23mm and 30mm guns in the wing roots, with 120 and 80 rounds.
14: Also can carry pair of short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missiles.
15: J-12’s structure made use of metal-honeycomb and early composite structures and titanium alloys to keep weight as low as possible.
16: Till 1975, the aircraft was improved a lot with nose like Mig-21.
17: Its story ends in January 1977 with 135 flights and only 61 flying hours as plane failed to impress high officials in Performance.
18: although it out performed J-6 in maneuverability, speed, acceleration, ceiling (over 57,000 feet), and take-off and landing performance.
19: People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) considered the J-12 just too small and light to be a useful combat asset. PLAAF end up with J-7 instead.
20: and had to wait for J-10 and JF-17 thunder as indigenous “lightweight” fighter made by China.
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