A listing of all variants of J-7 and J-8.

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

2 hours ago, FlankerFan35 said:

It would lose to nearly everything in bfm.

I'll main it. Give me that MiG-21-on-an-all-carb-diet that is the J-8A and I will happily get clapped in dogfights.

And I will love every second.

[FlankerFan35]

22 hours ago, MiG21bisFishbedL said:

I'll main it. Give me that MiG-21-on-an-all-carb-diet that is the J-8A and I will happily get clapped in dogfights.

And I will love every second.

And you're entitled to want that but as I'm not a masochist I would like something I can derive pleasure from rather than pain 

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

I've got a query for you @PLAAF

Some of those J-8A photos looked fairly recent, judging by the quality of the images and the aircraft look maintained. When were they pulled from service or were these aircraft in reserve service or heritage flight?

Stateside, the F-4 soldiered on in various auxiliary roles for quite some time, with their final military flight being in December of 2016.
 

[Silver_Dragon]

J-7 versions:
J-7 I Fishbed C Fighter
Man Rtng: 3.5/2.0 Damage Value: 17
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: Manual

Sensors: Type 222 RO radar

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 440 520 594
Med: 455 650 670
High: 470 700 1174
VHigh: 470 700 1174

Ceiling: 18000 meters Engine Type: TJ
Cruise Range: 545 nmi Int Fuel: 1895 kg

Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
480 L supersonic drop tank 390 kg 160 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 1350 kg
Off Guns: 2 Type 30-1 30mm (2.4)
• 1 drop tank, 2 PL-2A or 2 PL-5B
• 1 drop tank, 2 HF-7D or HF-25 rocket pods
• 1 drop tank, 2 Type 250-2 bombs
• 2 Type 500-2 bombs

Remarks: In Svc: Jun 75 - early 90s
MiG-21F-13 [Fishbed C] license production with reduced fuel and second 30mm cannon. Thirteen imported from Russia. Two underwing and C/L HP.
• 1975 - 81: 188 J-7I delivered. Exported as F-7A to Albania and Egypt.
• 1987: Renamed J-7A. 

J-7 II Fishbed Fighter
Man Rtng: 3.5/2.0 Damage Value: 17
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: Manual

Sensors: Type 222 RO radar, Gen 0 RWR.

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 440 520 594
Med: 455 650 670
High: 470 700 1174
VHigh: 470 700 1174

Ceiling: 18000 meters Engine Type: TJ
Cruise Range: 520 nmi Int Fuel: 1895 kg

Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
480 L supersonic drop tank 390 kg 155 nmi
720 L drop tank 585 kg 230 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 1350 kg
Off Guns: 2 Type 30-1 30mm (2.6)
• 3 hp - J-7II, J-7IIA, J-7IIH
• 1 drop tank, 2 PL-2A/B or 2 PL-5B/C/E/EII
• 1 drop tank, 2 PL-8 (J-7IIH only)
• 1 drop tank, 2 Type 250-2 bombs
• 1 drop tank, 2 HF-7D or 2 HF-25 rocket pods
• 5 hp - J-7K, J-7IIM
• 1 drop tank, 4 PL--5B/C/E/EII
• 1 drop tank, 2 PL-8
• 1 drop tank, 4 Type 250-2 bombs
• 1 drop tank, 4 HF-7D or 4 HF-25 rocket pods
• 2 480 L drop tanks, 2 PL-5B/C/E/EII

Remarks: In Svc: 1980
Major production version. Improved WP-7B engine over J-7 I, 2 underwing and C/L HP.
• 1979 - 86: 474 J-7II delivered to PLAAF.
• Sep 82 - Mar 84: J-7IIA with Western avionics tested including first PRC a/c with HUD. Not taken into service.
• 1986 - 90s: J-7II upgraded to J-7IIM, with additional two wing hp and ballistic bombsight.
• Feb 86 - 93: 221 J-7IIH/BH delivered to PLAAF and PLANAF. Provision for bombs, PL-8 and 2nd Generation decoys. Later known as J-7BH.
• 1987: Renamed - J-7II as J-7B, J-7BH as J-7H, J-7IIM as J-7M.
• 1988: JJ-7 trainer variant, 79 to Air Force and Navy, 93 exported.
• 1990 - 99: 55 J-7K delivered. As J-7IIM.
• Dec 11: Retired from frontline fighter role with PLAAF, used for lead in fighter training.
• 2014: Retired from PLANAF, including STC 24th Jialaishi 2010 and 27th Ledong 2004. PLAAF has 8 J-7B/K and 9 J-7H regiments.
• 2016: STC 126th converts from J-7II to JH-7A.
• 2017: 132nd with J-7B converts to J-7E.
• 2018: 288 J-7B and 98 J-7H remain.
• 2019: Nine regiments with J-7B (includes CTC possibly 20th, 53rd, 57th, 71st; NTC 91st, 94th; WTC 99th, 112th; 1 training), four with J-7H (NTC 63rd, WTC 18th; STC 125th and unknown WTC disbanded 2019).
• 2019: 20th with J-7B converts to J-7E.
• Early 20: 53rd with J-7B converts to J-7E.
• Mar 21: 18th with J-7H converts to J-11.
• 2021: 18th with J-7H converts to J-11. PLAAF has 5 Brigades. CTC - 57th Shangqiu F-7B, 71st? Xishanbeixiang J-7B; NTC - 63rd Hailang J-7H, 91st Liuhe J-7B/H, 94th Xuzhou J-7B.
• Export J-7II with 3 hp, known as F-7B, to Egypt, North Korea, Sudan, USAF (Constant Peg 1987-88) and Tanzania.
• Export J-7II with 5 hp to Sri Lanka F-7BS.
• Export J-7IIA with 5 hp, Type 226 RO radar, ballistic bombsight, 1st Gen RWR to Bangladesh F-7MB; Iran F-7N; Iraq, Myanmar and Zimbabwe F-7M; Pakistan F-7P.

J-7C/D [Fishbed J] Fighter
Man Rtng: 3.0/2.0 Damage Value: 18
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: Manual

Sensors: JL-7 (J-7C) or JL-7A (J-7D) radar, Gen 0 RWR.

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 480 500 620
Med: 520 590 860
High: 520 660 1100
VHigh: 520 740 1205
Ceiling: 17700 meters Engine Type: TJ
Cruise Range: 495 nmi Int Fuel: 2240 kg

Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
480 L supersonic drop tank 390 kg 125 nmi
720 L drop tank 585 kg 185 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 1600 kg
Off Guns: 1 Type 23-3A 23mm (3.3)
• 1 drop tank, 4 PL-2B or 4 PL-5B/C/E/EII
• 1 drop tank, 4 PL-8 (J-7D)
• 2 480 L drop tanks, 2 PL-2B or 2 PL-5B/C/E/EII
• 1 drop tank, 4 HF-7D or 4 HF-16 rocket pods
• 1 drop tank, 10 Type 100-2 or 4 Type 250-2 or 2 Type 500-2 bombs

Remarks: In Svc: Dec 89 - 2016 Reverse engineered MiG-21MF [Fishbed J]. All weather.
• Feb 79: Six MiG-21MF supplied by Egypt.
• Feb 88 - 96: 17 J-7C delivered to 15th Air Division. Service entry delayed by WP-13 engine issues. Production cut short by poor radar performance. Retired Nov 2011. Originally known as J-7III.
• 1995 - 99: 35 J-7D delivered to 12th and 43rd Regiments. Fitted with ballistic bombsight, 1st Gen RWR, 2nd Generation decoys and provision for PL-8. Retired 2016. Originally known as J-7IIIA.

J-7E, J-7G [Fishcan] Fighter
Man Rtng: 4.0/2.5 Damage Value: 17
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: Ballistic

Counterm: 2nd Gen D Inflight Refuel: N
Sensors: Type 226 RO (J-7E) or KLJ-6E/SY-80 (J-7G) radar, 1st Gen RWR

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 480 500 550
Med: 520 590 860
High: 520 660 1100
VHigh: 520 740 1205
Ceiling: 18200 meters Engine Type: TJ
Cruise Range: 545 nmi Int Fuel: 2165 kg

Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
480 L supersonic drop tank 390 kg 140 nmi
720 L drop tank 585 kg 210 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 1800 kg
Off Guns: 1 Type 30-1 30mm (1.2)
• 1 drop tank, 4 PL-5C/E/EII
• 1 drop tank, 2 PL-8 or 2 PL-8B (J-G, J-7L only)
• 2 480 L drop tanks, 2 PL-5C/E/EII
• 1 drop tank, 4 Type 250-3 or 2 Type 500-3 bombs
• 1 drop tank, 4 HF-7D or 4 HF-16 rocket pods
• 3 480 L drop tank, 2 PL-8 or PL-8B (late 90s)

Remarks: In Svc: 1995
Improved J-7 II with double delta wing and WP-13F engine. Second cannon replaced by all weather avionics. First PRC fighter with HOTAS.
• J-7E: PLAAF. 263 delivered Dec 93 - 02.
• J-7EH: PLANAF J-7E. 34 delivered. ETCN 10th Feidong until 2002, 12th Huangyan until 2010; STCN 24th Jialaishi 2010 - 14.
• J-7G: 80 PLAAF with HMS, 2nd Gen RWR. Delivered Oct 04 - 09.
• J-7L:48 PLAAF J-7E upgraded to J-7G from 2012. CTC 21st Yangqing 2017; ETC 7th Wuhu 2011-17, 42nd Zhangshu 2017.
• 2014: Five J-7E (ETC 86th Rugao till 2019?; NTC 61st Yanji till 2014, 88th; STC 25th Waisha 2005-Feb 21; WTC 97th), three J-7G (NTC 36th 2012, 44th 2010; STC 52nd 2019).
• 2017: 7th Air Regiment with J-7L converts to J-16.
• 2017: Four J-7E units remain.
• Exports with Grifo-7MG radar: Namibia F-7NM, Nigeria F-7NI, Pakistan F-7PG.
• Exports with SY-80 radar: Bangladesh F-7BG and F-7BGI, Sri Lanka F-7GS, Tanzania F-7TN.
• 2021: Five J-7E (CTC - 20th Tangsha 2019, 53rd Wudangshan 2020; 88th Dalian NTC, 132nd Xinagyun STC 2017, 97th Dazu WTC), two J-7G - 44th Bikeqi NTC and 52nd Wuhan STC.

J-8 versions:
J-8/J-8 I [Finback A] Fighter
Man Rtng: 2.5/1.5 Damage Value: 26
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: Ballistic

Sensors: Type 222 RO (J-8) or Type 204 (J-8I) radar

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 460 580 700
Med: 460 670 1010
High: 460 760 1320
High: -- -- 1320

Ceiling: 20800 meters Engine Type: TJ
Cruise Range: 625 nmi Int Fuel: 3994 kg

Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
800 L drop tank 650 kg 145 nmi
1400 L drop tank 1135 kg 255 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 4500 kg
Off Guns: 2 Type 30-1 30mm (2.4) (J-8) or 1 Type 23-3A 23mm (3.3) (J-8 I)
• 1 800 L drop tank, 4 PL-2B (J-8)
• 1 800 L drop tank, 4 PL-5B (J-8I)
• 1 800 L drop tank, 4 HF-7D or 4 HF-25 rocket pods
• 2 480 L drop tanks, 1 800 L drop tank, 2 PL-2B or PL-5B
• 2 800 L drop tanks, KA-112A recon pod (JZ-8)

Remarks: In Svc: 1980 - 2014?
• 1980 - 85: 112 day only J-8 delivered. No radar, not fitted for rockets.
• 1985 - 90: 31 all-weather J-8I delivered. Was originally to have canceled Type 30-2 cannon and canceled PL-4 AAM.
• 1989: 8 J-8 converted to recon JZ-8 with cannon removed. Retired 2006.
• 1993: 24 J-8I upgraded to J-8IE with JL-8AG radar, PL-5B, 2nd Gen decoys, 1st Gen RWR. Retired 2008.
• 1987: Renamed - J-8I as J-8A, J-8IE as J-8E.
• 2002: WTC 16th at Yinchuan re-equipped with J-11.
• 2007: NTCN 15th Regiment at Jiaozhou converted to J-8FH, listed separately.
• 2008: NTC 88th J-8E replaced by J-7E.
• 2009: Most withdrawn from service.
• 2011: CTC 70th J-8E at Zunhua re-equipped with J-7E/G.

J-8II here:

 

Edited February 18, 2023 by Silver_Dragon

[PLAAF]

Here is Silver Dragon's J-8II post. I will put here for easier access for you guys.
 

On 2/12/2023 at 10:31 PM, Silver_Dragon said:

surely only no guided bombs and rockets. By my available info (China Navy):

J-8 II [Finback B] Fighter
Man Rtng: 3.0/1.5  Damage Value: 26
Size/Signature: Small/Small  Bombsight: Computing

Counterm: 2nd Gen D  Inflight Refuel: P
Sensors: Radar (see Remarks), 1st Gen RWR (090-270° only)

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 520 580 700
Med: 520 670 1010
High: 520 760 1262
VHigh: -- -- 1262

Ceiling: 20000 meters Engine Type: TJ
Cruise Range: 675 nmi Int Fuel: 4320 kg

Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
800 L drop tank 650 kg 145 nmi
1400 L drop tank 1135 kg 255 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 4500 kg
Off Guns: 1 Type 23-3A 23mm (3.3)
• 1 1400 L DT, 2 800 L DT, and either:
• 4 PL-5B/C/E (J-8II, J-8IIA)
• 4 PL-8 (J-8D)
• 2 PL-8, 2 PL-11 (J-8H)
• 2 PL-8, 2 PL-12 (J-8F)
• 2 PL-8 (JZ-8F)
• 4 HF-7D or 4 HF-25 rocket pods
• 2 800 L drop tanks, and either:
• 8 Type 250-3 bombs, 2 PL-5B/C/E
• KG-300G ECM pod, 2 YJ-91 (J-8G) (2010)
• KG-300G or KZ-900 ELINT (2017) or SLAR pod, 2 PL-12, 2 PL-8 (JZ-8F)
• 1 1400 L drop tank, 2 PL-11, 4 PL-8 (J-8C)
• 1 1400 L drop tank, 2 R-27R, 4 PL-5 or PL-9 (F-8IIM)

Remarks: In Svc: 1992
All weather. PL-4 AAM canceled. J-8F/G/H have computing bombsight. J-8C/D/F/H and JZ-8F have removeable inflight refueling probe. J-8F/H can carry KG-300G ECM pod replacing 1400 L drop tank.
• J-8II: SL-5A (Type 208) radar. Not fitted with bombs. 54 delivered 1992-95. NTC 35th at Gaomi last unit from 2003- 17.
• J-8IIA/J-8B: JL-8A radar, all aspect 1st Gen RWR. 50 delivered 1993-00. In service 1996. Later converted to J-8BH and J-8BF. J-8II or J-8B units - 2nd Anshan till 2003, 3rd Qiqihar, 25th Longshui, 34th Shanding till 2012, 76th Chongming, 87th Quzhou.
• J-8III/J-8C: Israeli EL/M-2035 radar. Four prototypes, test flights 1992. Replaced by J-11B.
• J-8IIB/J-8D [Finback B Mod]: J-8B fitted with inflight refueling probe, provision for KZ-900 and KG-300G. In service 1995. Some later updated to J-8DF and F-8DH. 25th Longshui.
• J-8F: Type 1492 radar, HMS, can engage 2 targets at once with PL-12. 56 delivered 2005-09 plus J-8BF and J-8DF upgrades. In service 2003 with one PLANAF (15th NTC Jiaozhou 2007, later to J-8H?) and PLAAF regiments - 2nd Anshan 2003, 3rd Qiqihar 2003-2018 NTC, 4th Foshan J-8DF/DH, 9th Changji WTC 2006-2020 J-8F/H, 15th Qingdao, 76th J-8DF Chongming ETC 2017, 89th Zhoushuizi?
• J-8G: J-8H standard with cannon replaced by 2nd Gen ELS. Used for trials only in 2001.
• J-8H: Converted Air Force J-8Ds (2004, -8DH) and J-8Bs (2005, -8BJ), plus new-build J-8H with KLJ-1/2 radar, HMS, PL-11. 109th Air Brigade Changji, WTC 2004-20. 25th Longshui, 63rd Mudanjiang, 76th Chongming till 2017, 87th Quzhou.
• JZ-8F: Recon version of J-8F with internal cameras replacing cannon. 20-30 delivered. In service 2006. Renamed JC-8F in August 2012. 93rd Suzhou ETC, 60th Xinzhou STC, 46th Yu Hung Tun NTC.
• F-8IIM: Export proposal with Zhuk-8 (1996) or JL-10A (2004) radar, can engage 2 targets.

• Apr 90: Peace Pearl deal canceled. Would have had APG-66 radar, computing bombsight and Aspide AAM. 50 were planned to be delivered between 1991-95.
• Systems: PL-8 in 1994, KG-300G ECM pod in 2010, KZ-900 ELINT pod in 2017.
• 1 Apr 01: J-8B lost in collision with USN EP-3E over South China Sea.
• 2002: WTC 109th equipped with J-8H, also J-8F in 2006, replaced by J-11B in 2020. STC 4th equipped with J-8DH and J-8DF, replaced by J-11 in 2017.
• 2003: NTC 35th equipped with J-8B.
• 2007 - 08: STCN 25th with J-8B/D converted to J-8BH/J-8DH. Converted to J-11B in 2013.
• 2010: PLAAF has 108 J-8B, 36 J-8D, 24 J-8F, 49 J-8H, 24 JZ-8F. PLANAF has 48 all versions.
• 2013: J-8B possibly retired from PLANAF.
• 2018: J-8II and J-8B retired by this date. PLANAF - NTC 15th Air Regiment, 5th Naval Air Division at Jiaozhou has 24 J-8F/FH, est.4 JC-8F.
• 2019: 96 PLAAF, 47 PLANAF.

 

 

[PLAAF]

 

Found some pictures of F-7BG, an export version of J-7E for Bangladesh. 

 

The picture above shows the jet carrying the PL-9 missile.

Now a while back, I remember reading somewhere or hearing somebody saying that a part of the components in PL-9's seeker was based on Israeli tech and that's why it was never actually exported. Now if Bangladesh can successfully import it from China, it can only mean one of two things. Either what I read wasn't true or the new variant of the PL-9 missile has deviated from the original too far and Israel copyrights can no longer affect the exportation.

 

Now what you see below is a J-7 serving in the airforce of Nigeria.

It is a J-7NI, which is a sub-version of the J-7MG. It does not have double delta wings like the J-7E or G.

What's interesting here is that it appears recently, China sent them an upgrade package to upgrade their avionics. So now, their cockpit looks very similar to the F-7BG.

 

Let's just hope someday we can get J-7G in DCS as a FF module.

Edited March 11, 2023 by PLAAF

[F-2]

someone posted this a while ago, thought it interesting.

[PLAAF]

Found an HD picture of a J-8 cockpit.

 

[Torbernite]

2023/1/22 AM4点45分，F-2说：

I’m curious if the J-8 has any capacity for bfm or if it’s a pure interceptor

 

2023/1/22 PM12点01分，FlankerFan35说：

It would lose to nearly everything in bfm.

Not exactly if you take earlier planes into account. Due to its old-fashioned thoughts and the delayed development, J-8 is surely inferior to F-15 or something like that, also possibly to phantom. But if the target is a MiG-21 or 23 or similar ones, the situation is different. According to the test pilot, in test flight and simulated combat against J-7 (those based on MiG-21F-13, not the 21MF or bis version) carried out by PLAAF, J-8I is better in acceleration, climbing, vertical maneuver, steady level turning with Max. throttle, equal in deceleration level turning and steady level turning with afterburner, and only inferior in roll rate and deceleration performance. J-8II has slightly increased wing load and decreased ceiling. While the increased afterburner thrust brings better climbing, acceleration and level turning performance, and the differential horizontal stabilizers make up for the roll rate by 20-30%. 

[LowRider88]

11 hours ago, PLAAF said:

Found an HD picture of a J-8 cockpit.

 

Great picture.  Which variant is this?

[LowRider88]

9 hours ago, Torbernite said:

 

Not exactly if you take earlier planes into account. Due to its old-fashioned thoughts and the delayed development, J-8 is surely inferior to F-15 or something like that, also possibly to phantom. But if the target is a MiG-21 or 23 or similar ones, the situation is different. According to the test pilot, in test flight and simulated combat against J-7 (those based on MiG-21F-13, not the 21MF or bis version) carried out by PLAAF, J-8I is better in acceleration, climbing, vertical maneuver, steady level turning with Max. throttle, equal in deceleration level turning and steady level turning with afterburner, and only inferior in roll rate and deceleration performance. J-8II has slightly increased wing load and decreased ceiling. While the increased afterburner thrust brings better climbing, acceleration and level turning performance, and the differential horizontal stabilizers make up for the roll rate by 20-30%. 

The J-8II may have a slightly higher wingloading over the original, but it’s has wing fences which should help keep similar or better slow speed turn performance.

I did calculation on rough stall speed on a thread elsewhere, and the J-8II has lower value than F-5E.  So it should definitely be more maneuverable than the Tiger.

F-15 may have more of a lifting body design than J-8Ii, and have better wingloading, but J-8II should have better deceleration due to lower weight, and it should be able to dive faster due to a lower frontal drag to weight ratio.

[FlankerFan35]

On 3/12/2023 at 5:08 AM, Torbernite said:

 

Not exactly if you take earlier planes into account. Due to its old-fashioned thoughts and the delayed development, J-8 is surely inferior to F-15 or something like that, also possibly to phantom. But if the target is a MiG-21 or 23 or similar ones, the situation is different. According to the test pilot, in test flight and simulated combat against J-7 (those based on MiG-21F-13, not the 21MF or bis version) carried out by PLAAF, J-8I is better in acceleration, climbing, vertical maneuver, steady level turning with Max. throttle, equal in deceleration level turning and steady level turning with afterburner, and only inferior in roll rate and deceleration performance. J-8II has slightly increased wing load and decreased ceiling. While the increased afterburner thrust brings better climbing, acceleration and level turning performance, and the differential horizontal stabilizers make up for the roll rate by 20-30%. 

Looking forward to testing then, can you send this pilot testimony.

Edited March 13, 2023 by FlankerFan35

[F-2]

I posted a bit on the development of the JL-10 used in the J-8F for those interested.

[PLAAF]

On 3/13/2023 at 8:48 AM, LowRider88 said:

Great picture.  Which variant is this?

Don't know for sure, but judging by the RWR, it is at least the B variant. Because the earlier variant has the same RWR as the PP.

Also, I found another one with a different HUD. This may be the later production of the B variant.

 

[LowRider88]

2 hours ago, PLAAF said:

Don't know for sure, but judging by the RWR, it is at least the B variant. Because the earlier variant has the same RWR as the PP.

Also, I found another one with a different HUD. This may be the later production of the B variant.

 

These pics are really making me feel sick waiting for the J-8 to be released

I can’t wait to fly it.

Hey PLAAF, I have seen some external pics or line drawings of the J-8 and in some, the ventral fin rear edge perfectly squared, while in other views the ventral fin looks smaller, with the rear edge sweeping forward.

Would you by chance know if the the ventral fins differed between versions?  Did it get larger over time?

[Torbernite]

2小时前，LowRider88说：

These pics are really making me feel sick waiting for the J-8 to be released

I can’t wait to fly it.

Hey PLAAF, I have seen some external pics or line drawings of the J-8 and in some, the ventral fin rear edge perfectly squared, while in other views the ventral fin looks smaller, with the rear edge sweeping forward.

Would you by chance know if the the ventral fins differed between versions?  Did it get larger over time?

The fin should always have horizontal bottom after all and all drawings with slant bottom should be imprecise. The rear edge might be very slightly sweeping forward and looks exaggerated from some direction, so maybe neither the squared nor greatly sweeping drawings are precise.

But I'm not sure!

J-8II series has two main frame design and the main difference is the 2 vs. 4 fences. I don't know whether the fin was changed because the "sweeping" rear edge appears on photos of both frames.

If necessary, I can try to go to check the one in Beijing in several days. It should be in China Aviation Museum, but now I'm not sure its display area is open or not.

Another question I'm wondering is, whether J-8II retained the excess fuel tank of J-8I? J-8I has an excess or backup fuel tank in frontal frame, which is empty in most cases but usable in ferry flight or long-range patrol, like the flanker's excess tanks. Those excess fuel is unable to drop quickly like drop tanks, and it causes forward moving of mass center, lower overload limitation and in takeoff it makes rotation a bit harder. But the tank causes no drag like drop tanks so the range could be longer than using drop tanks with equal fuel. This tank is intended to make some use of the space left after the cockpit is moved forward to balance the two heavy engines. But the frontal fuselage of J-8II is largely redesigned, so I don't know whether it's retained.

[LowRider88]

3 hours ago, Torbernite said:

The fin should always have horizontal bottom after all and all drawings with slant bottom should be imprecise. The rear edge might be very slightly sweeping forward and looks exaggerated from some direction, so maybe neither the squared nor greatly sweeping drawings are precise.

But I'm not sure!

J-8II series has two main frame design and the main difference is the 2 vs. 4 fences. I don't know whether the fin was changed because the "sweeping" rear edge appears on photos of both frames.

If necessary, I can try to go to check the one in Beijing in several days. It should be in China Aviation Museum, but now I'm not sure its display area is open or not.

Another question I'm wondering is, whether J-8II retained the excess fuel tank of J-8I? J-8I has an excess or backup fuel tank in frontal frame, which is empty in most cases but usable in ferry flight or long-range patrol, like the flanker's excess tanks. Those excess fuel is unable to drop quickly like drop tanks, and it causes forward moving of mass center, lower overload limitation and in takeoff it makes rotation a bit harder. But the tank causes no drag like drop tanks so the range could be longer than using drop tanks with equal fuel. This tank is intended to make some use of the space left after the cockpit is moved forward to balance the two heavy engines. But the frontal fuselage of J-8II is largely redesigned, so I don't know whether it's retained.

Thanks very much Torbernite for your feedback.

I think you are right.  In retrospect, I think the slanted fin is from line drawings only and not from any real pic.

Cool, I wish I had a chance to go to the same museum in the future.

If you are there is it possible for you to take a perfect side profile view pic of the J-8?
By perfect side view, I am referring to one where the camera position is centred between front to end, wing level, and far away enough that there is no field of view skewing (I.e. not so close that the wing looks as long as the plane).  It may not be possible given how they may cram a lot of planes into the same location.

Your details about the fuel tank seem more interesting than mine about the ventral fin.  You are right, the might affect weight distribution and turning ability.

[Torbernite]

1小时前，LowRider88说：

Thanks very much Torbernite for your feedback.

I think you are right.  In retrospect, I think the slanted fin is from line drawings only and not from any real pic.

Cool, I wish I had a chance to go to the same museum in the future.

If you are there is it possible for you to take a perfect side profile view pic of the J-8?
By perfect side view, I am referring to one where the camera position is centred between front to end, wing level, and far away enough that there is no field of view skewing (I.e. not so close that the wing looks as long as the plane).  It may not be possible given how they may cram a lot of planes into the same location.

Your details about the fuel tank seem more interesting than mine about the ventral fin.  You are right, the might affect weight distribution and turning ability.

I would try to find a proper date as soon as possible for that, I think no later than Apr. 1st at least. Such a photo may be difficult as I remembered that plane is in an indoor exhibition hall and photograph is limited in many places, for the space is limited and some areas are under the management of the air force. If that's hard I will try to take a side view of the tail part to show the fin root (the fin is folded when gears down) to show the rear edge and then try to find if there is another plane of J-8II series in outdoor area.

[Naudiz]

On 3/12/2023 at 10:57 AM, PLAAF said:

Found an HD picture of a J-8 cockpit.

 

Super cool picture, if it's possible to figure out the exact variant of this I would love to know it.

Also, any clue what the text on the note says? Looks like it's an exhibit in a museum (clean walls, no tools or anything close by) so potentially not one of the very newest variants.

[PLAAF]

4 hours ago, Naudiz said:

Super cool picture, if it's possible to figure out the exact variant of this I would love to know it.

Also, any clue what the text on the note says? Looks like it's an exhibit in a museum (clean walls, no tools or anything close by) so potentially not one of the very newest variants.

The note says "Start-up sequence: HUD -> MFD -> Radio". 

[Torbernite]

2023/3/15 PM9点23分，LowRider88说：

Thanks very much Torbernite for your feedback.

I think you are right.  In retrospect, I think the slanted fin is from line drawings only and not from any real pic.

Cool, I wish I had a chance to go to the same museum in the future.

If you are there is it possible for you to take a perfect side profile view pic of the J-8?
By perfect side view, I am referring to one where the camera position is centred between front to end, wing level, and far away enough that there is no field of view skewing (I.e. not so close that the wing looks as long as the plane).  It may not be possible given how they may cram a lot of planes into the same location.

Your details about the fuel tank seem more interesting than mine about the ventral fin.  You are right, the might affect weight distribution and turning ability.

Today I have checked all J-8II I can find (5 or 6 in total) in China Aviation Museum. Sadly due to their bad route and fence design I can't reach to any side view, and the PP prototype is not on exhibition at present , maybe in their hangar. However I'm sure to say now that the trailing edge of the fin is very slightly sweeping forward, maybe 10 deg or less. I would post some photos later. As for the bottom edge I can't confirm because the fin is folded with gears down and has to be checked from right side and closer to the tail, which I can't reach. But I think with all the photos online we have no doubt about the bottom edge.

Edited April 1, 2023 by Torbernite

[PLAAF]

3 hours ago, Torbernite said:

Today I have checked all J-8II I can find (5 or 6 in total) in China Aviation Museum. Sadly due to their bad route and fence design I can't reach to any side view, and the PP prototype is not on exhibition at present , maybe in their hangar. However I'm sure to say now that the trailing edge of the fin is very slightly sweeping forward, maybe 10 deg or less. I would post some photos later. As for the bottom edge I can't confirm because the fin is folded with gears down and has to be checked from right side and closer to the tail, which I can't reach. But I think with all the photos online we have no doubt about the bottom edge.

 

Are you in Shenyang at the moment?

If you are, can you help me to take some photos of J-6III cockpit? Thanks

Edited April 1, 2023 by PLAAF

[Torbernite]

39分钟前，PLAAF说：

Are you in Shenyang at the moment?

If you are, can you help me to take some photos of J-6III cockpit? Thanks

 

Sorry I'm in Beijing and I mean the museum in 小汤山.

[PLAAF]

10 minutes ago, Torbernite said:

Sorry I'm in Beijing and I mean the museum in 小汤山.

What do they have there? Do they have J-6III or J-5A?

[Torbernite]

13分钟前，PLAAF说：

What do they have there? Do they have J-6III or J-5A?

They have J-6III here and maybe J-5A but I didn't see one. Those cockpits unreachable, however. They also have a cave style exhibition hangar but closed now since nCoV age. Some foreign made planes were there last time I went there years ago, got as present, captured, destroyed or other way.

Edited April 1, 2023 by Torbernite