Development of this large interceptor, the first jet fighter designed in
China to enter service, began in 1964.  The first prototype flew on 5 July
1969.  Production of the J-8I began in July 1979; about 100 were delivered
to the AFPLA before production ended in 1987.  The J-8I resembled a
scaled-up MiG-21 (J-7), with a tailed delta configuration powered by two
engines fed from a single annular nose intake, carrying radar in the
centrebody cone (it resembled Mikoyan's experimental Ye-152A, although,
contrary to some early reports, it was not based on that aircraft).

The more advanced J-8II was developed in the early 1980s, the first
prototype flying on 12 June 1984.  It differed externally in having two
side intakes (similar to an F-4 or MiG-23) and a solid nose with a much
larger radome.  A plan to fit American avionics, including an advanced
radar, fell through in the early 1990s; however, the J-8II has entered
production anyway, carrying a Chinese SR-4 "lookdown-shootdown" radar.
Both versions have been offered for export, as the F-8I and F-8II, but
there have been no takers so far.

Vital statistics (J-8II, estimated):  length 21.59 m, span 9.34 m, empty
weight 9820 kg, max weight 17800 kg, max speed 2336 km/h (Mach 2.2), ferry
range 2200 km; power plant:  two 65.90 kN Wopen 13A-II augmented turbojets;
armament:  one Type 23-3 twin-barrel 23mm cannon with 200 rounds, 7
hardpoints, max external load 3500 kg.

------------------------------

--
... Ross Smith (Wellington, New Zealand) <avfaq@meanmach.actrix.gen.nz> ...
"Being in the air farce and navy means you only get to kill people by
remote control, which takes some of the fun out of it."
                                  (Steve Kieffer-Higgins, in alt.tasteless)