Aviation
Chinese Fighter
Development
China Defense.com
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Chinese Fighter Development
by Jack Collins
China started developing its own jet fighter aircraft after the end of the Korean War (in which Chinese volunteer pilots flew Russian-built MiG-15 fighters). Over the next five decades China has produced a variety of designs, many of which are largely unknown in the rest of the world. One key deficiency that this survey highlights is the inability of the Chinese to produce a reliable, efficient and powerful powerplant. Even at the beginning of the 21st century, China is reliant on foreign engines for its fighter aircraft.
East Wind Series:
East Wind 104: A "paper airplane" designed at the Shenyang Aircraft Factory under Soviet tutelage. Designed as a Mach 1.4 capable light fighter aircraft for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF).
East Wind 107: An enlarged East Wind 104 developed at the insistence of the aviation industry control section. The design target was for a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a service ceiling of 20,000 metres. Included a variable angle of attack design similar to the F-8U Crusader or Soviet Ye-series designs. In 1959 the East Wind 107 was discontinued in favour of the East Wind 113 design.
East Wind 113: At the end of 1959 the Harbin Military Engineering Institute proposed the development of a Mach 2.5 capable fighter with a service ceiling of 25,000 metres. It mainly took the American F-104, F-105 and B-58 as design models. One Type-814 turbojet engine was to power the East Wind 113 and the aircraft carried an airborne intercept radar and a computer. The project was abandoned because of developmental difficulties, and the ready availability of the MiG-21 from the Soviet Union.
