- Yes
- No
Background
Spoiler
The Shenyang J-5 represents the inaugural jet aircraft successfully produced in China, signifying a pivotal moment in the nation’s aviation sector as it transitioned into the jet age. This aircraft holds considerable historical importance for China’s aviation industry. Following the establishment of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force, the force began to incorporate Soviet-manufactured MiG series jet aircraft, notably the MiG-15, which played a significant role in the Korean War, demonstrating exceptional performance. In response, the Soviet government offered to share the technology of the MiG-15 for Chinese replication. In October 1951, a formal agreement was signed between the Chinese and Soviet governments, titled “Agreement on Technical Assistance from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the People’s Republic of China in Organizing the Repair of Aircraft, Engines and Aircraft Factories.” Subsequently, on April 18, the Ministry of Heavy Industry established the Aviation Industry Bureau to oversee aircraft maintenance. By the end of 1951, this bureau managed 18 factories and employed nearly 10,000 individuals. In December of the same year, Premier Zhou Enlai chaired a meeting to strategize the successful trial production of the Soviet Yak-18 primary trainer and the MiG-15bis jet fighter within a timeframe of three to five years. The year 1953 marked the commencement of China’s first five-year plan.
The industry transitioned from a focus on repair to one centered on manufacturing. Following over a year of trial production of the MiG-15, Soviet specialists recommended the trial production of the MiG-17 fighter, citing its superior performance compared to the MiG-15. The People’s Republic of China accepted this recommendation. In October 1954, the Aviation Industry Bureau assigned Factory 112 the task of trial-producing the MiG-17 jet fighter. At that time, the Soviet Air Force expressed dissatisfaction with the MiG-17 and intended to dismantle its production line. However, since China aimed to replicate the MiG-17, the Soviet Union opted to sell a significant amount of processing and production equipment to China after dismantling the line, along with the necessary blueprints.
Factory 112’s efforts to replicate the MiG-17 proceeded without major issues. The mobilization for trial production commenced in October 1954, accompanied by various preparatory activities. Upon receiving information from the Soviet Union in April 1955, the factory immediately began translation and tracing, with production drawings being issued in August. Concurrently, Factory 112 developed process regulations, created mold line samples, and manufactured various processing equipment. By February 1956, the manufacturing of parts was completed, and the assembly of the first aircraft was finalized on July 13. Static tests were conducted from June 15 to July 26, 1956, with all 129 stress condition tests meeting the required technical standards. Ultimately, a failure occurred when the load reached 105% of the design capacity. On July 19, 1956, the trial prototype was first flown by Wu Keming. By August 2nd, all test flight requirements for national acceptance were fulfilled, totaling 19 flights over 9 hours and 49 minutes. At that time, the J-5 was referred to as type 56, and it was not until 1964 that it was officially renamed the J-5. The test flight demonstrated that the aircraft’s tactical and technical capabilities, as well as its product quality, met all necessary qualifications. On August 9, the National Acceptance Test Flight Committee conducted a signing ceremony at Factory 112, where it was announced that the test flight had been deemed successful, allowing for the commencement of production. On September 10, Marshal Nie Rongzhen, Vice Chairman of the National Defense Committee, attended a celebratory meeting at Factory 112. During this meeting, he conveyed congratulatory messages from the Party Central Committee and the State Council, officially sanctioning the aircraft for mass production, which was achieved one year and five months ahead of the state-mandated timeline. By September 15, 1956, four J-5 aircraft had been produced, and these aircraft were showcased during the 1956 National Day celebrations. While Factory 112 was engaged in the trial production of the aircraft, the state-owned Factory 410 successfully completed the manufacturing of the corresponding WP-5 engine (Klimov Design Bureau BK-1). Factory 410 finished its trial production in just over a year and received national approval on May 31, 1956, which was one year and four months ahead of the initial schedule. The entire trial production process incurred costs exceeding 100 million rubles. Following the initiation of small-scale production of the J-5 in September 1956, a total of 17 aircraft were produced that year, with each unit costing 1.07 million yuan. In 1957, as production increased, costs gradually decreased, resulting in an average unit cost of 680,000 yuan. In 1958, production rose to 429 aircraft, with the unit cost further reduced to 447,000 yuan. In 1959, 177 aircraft were manufactured, with a unit cost of 432,373 yuan and a metal consumption of approximately 7,500 kilograms per unit. The production of the J-5 was discontinued in May 1959 as the factory transitioned to the production of new fighters (Dongfeng 103), culminating in a total output of 767 aircraft, including 13 that were assembled using Soviet components.
The J-5’s fuselage is constructed as an all-metal semi-monocoque design, featuring a streamlined form with a circular cross-section. At the nose, there is a circular air intake that subsequently splits into two intakes positioned on either side of the cockpit. A speed brake is located at the rear of the fuselage. The cockpit is designed as a sealed single-occupant space with a removable canopy, and the front windshield is made of 64 mm thick bulletproof glass. Additionally, bulletproof steel plates are installed at the front and bottom of the cockpit, as well as behind the pilot’s head and back, with the seat being an ejection type. The aircraft is outfitted with an optical semi-automatic sight, the ACII-4HM, compatible with the CPA-1M, along with two camera guns.
The J-5 features a swept mid-wing design equipped with rearward-facing flaps that can be adjusted to various angles during takeoff and landing, with the outer wing’s deflection angle ranging from ±18 degrees. The vertical tail is segmented into two parts by the horizontal tail; the lower part is fixed to the load-bearing inclined frame of the fuselage, while the upper part is detachable. The vertical tail has a sweep angle of 55 degrees, and the rudder can pivot 25 degrees in either direction. The horizontal tail, with a sweep angle of 45 degrees, is mounted atop the lower vertical tail. The elevator on the trailing edge can move 32 degrees upward and 16 degrees downward. The landing gear is of a front three-point configuration, featuring single wheels. The front landing gear retracts into the wheel well located at the bottom of the front fuselage, while the main landing gear folds inward into the wings. The main landing gear includes a buffer, and both the front landing gear and main landing gear are equipped with a damper. The control system operates on a hard control basis, with hydraulic assistance for aileron control, while the aileron and elevator adjustment plates are managed electronically.
The J-5 aircraft was regarded as a top-tier fighter during its era. Although it had a shorter operational range, its capabilities in climbing, acceleration, and maneuverability surpassed those of the American F-86F fighter. Consequently, it achieved numerous military successes while serving in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Between July and October 1958, pilots from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force frequently operated the J-5, successfully engaging enemy aircraft along the Fujian coast. This resulted in the downing of 2 F-84G fighters, with 1 suffering severe damage, as well as the destruction of 6 F-86F fighters, with an additional 2 being damaged. Notably, on September 24, 1958, a Taiwanese aircraft equipped with a Sidewinder missile was shot down for the first time.
In April 1965, four F-4 fighter jets from the United States entered the airspace over Hainan Island, China. During an interception by our J-5 aircraft, the F-4s quickly launched AIM-7 “Sparrow” missiles; however, the J-5 successfully evaded them with a tight maneuver. Remarkably, one of the AIM-7 missiles that missed its intended target ended up striking another F-4 in the distance, resulting in its destruction.
In the initial stages of the Vietnam War, the Vietnamese Air Force utilized a J-5 aircraft to successfully down a US Air Force F-105 fighter-bomber. At that time, the primary aircraft defending key cities in Vietnam were predominantly J-5s. The J-5 is known for its operational flexibility, ease of use, and effectiveness in aerial combat. Prior to the widespread deployment of air-to-air missiles, the three cannons mounted on the J-5 created a formidable network of firepower.
Technical Data
Specifications
Crew - 1
Length - 11.36 m
Height - 3.8 m
Wingspan - 9.6 m
Empty Weight - 3,939 kg
Gross Weight - 5,340 kg
Max Takeoff Weight - 6,000 kg
Powerplant - 1 x WP-5 Turbojet Engine (25.5 kN dry, 33.15 kN wet)
Max Speed - 1,145 km/h at 3,000 m
Service Ceiling - 17,500 m
Range - 1,560 km with Drop tanks.
Armament
2 x 23-1 23mm Cannons (80 rpg)
1 x 37-1 37mm Cannon (40 rpg)
2 x Type 100-2 Bombs
2 x Type 250-2 Bombs
Images
Sources
Spoiler
(Book) Encyclopedia of Chinese Aircraft (Vol. 3) (Pg2-Pg4)
https://www.stronghold-nation.com/history/ref/chinese-shenyang-j5-fighter-jet
