Tuesday 17 November 2020

Shenyang J-6, Chinese users, part one

 

The Shenyang J-6 is the Chinese-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 fighter aircraft, the world's first mass-produced supersonic aircraft.
Even if the MiG-19 had a relatively short life span when serving with the Soviet Air Force, the Chinese valued its agility, turning performance and its powerful weapon arrangement. Therefore, it comes no surprise that between 1958 and 1981 they manufactured it for their own use in various versions. While the original MiG-19 has been retired from active service in practically every nation in the world, the Shenyang J-6 still flies for nine of its original 15 operators, albeit in a very limited capacity and not in the fighter role. Its airframe is the starting point for the Nanchang Q-5 ground attack aircraft which is still active in many nations around the world.
The J-6 was considered as an interim fighter until a more capable aircraft could be manufactured in China (namely, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21), so it was intended to be operated for just 100 flight hours, which are approximately 100 sorties, before having to be overhauled. However, with adequate maintenance, those numbers could be stretched, like in the case of the Pakistan Air Force, up to 130 hours.










Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenyang_J-6
2. Midland Publishing - Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 - The Soviet Union's First Production Supersonic Fighter
3. https://www.valka.cz/Sen-jang-J-6-kod-NATO-Farmer-t42341 (translated)

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