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History :-
Official designation: Fighter China-1 (FC-1) Xiaolong
PAF designation: Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder
Function: Air-superiority; Ground attack
Designer: Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (611 Institute)
Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry (Group) Corporation Ltd. (CAC)
Maiden flight: 25 August 2003
Operator: Pakistani Air Force
Estimated cost: US$15~20 million
The JF-17 is a joint Chinese-Pakistani project that aimed to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on western firms for advanced fighters, by fielding a low-cost multi-role lightweight fighter that would host modern electronics, and represent a step up from its Chinese MiG-19/21 derivatives, and French Mirage fighters. This positioning addresses a market that the West once dominated, but has nearly abandoned in recent decades.
China has made no decisions yet for the PLAAF, but Pakistan has signed an agreement for the first 42 operational JF-17 aircraft, and is reportedly seeking additional agreements with Western firms for avionics and weapons upgrades. India’s competing Tejas fighter is overcoming project delays by looking to foreign component sources, but Pakistan and China remain out front with their offering. The 2 countries have set up a joint JF-17 marketing agency to promote export sales, and their offering has received initial interest.
Ultimately, Pakistan intends to induct 150 JF-17s into its air force, replacing most of its Mirage III/Vs, F-7s (Chinese MiG-21 copies), and A-5C.
That number could rise, and some reports place potential orders as high as 300 aircraft.
Even at the JF-17’s bargain price, however, Pakistan’s budgets will be hard-pressed to afford that many.
In the short term, even reaching the desired goal of 150 JF-17s could prove challenging.
Aug 25/03: First prototype aircraft flies.
July 1/03: First prototype completes first taxi trials. .
May 13/03: First prototype aircraft rolled out.
September 2001: The FC-1/JF-17’s detailed design is finalized.
1999: China and Pakistan agreed on 50-50 joint development of the FC-1/Super 7.
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Specifications :-
Crew: One
Length: 14m
Wingspan: 8.5m (without wingtip missiles)
Wing area: 24.4m2
Height: 5.10m
Empty weight: 6,411kg
Loaded weight: 9,100kg (without two wingtip missiles)
Take-off weight: (normal) 9,100kg; (maximum) 12,700kg
Fuel capacity: 2,300kg
In-flight refuelling: No
Weapon payload: 3,700kg
Powerplant: 1X Russian RD-93 turbofan, rated at 49.4kN dry or 84.4kN with afterburning
Max level speed: Mach 1.6~1.8 (high altitude)
Max climb rate: N/A
Service ceiling: 16,700m
Ferry range: 3,000km
Combat radius: 1,350km
G limit: -3 ~ +8.5
Fixed weapon: 23mm or 30mm single-barrel cannon
External hardpoints: Seven (1 under the fuselage centerline; 4 under the wings; 2 on the wingtips)
Engine Specifications :-
RD-93
Thrust (Afterburner): 8300 kgf /18,260 lb
Thrust: 5040 kgf / 11,090 lb
Specific Fuel Consumption: 2.1 kg/kgf/Hr in afterburner, 0.77 military
Bypass Ratio: 0.46
Compressor Pressure Ratio: 21
Maximum Turbine Inlet Temperature: 1680 K
Service Life, hr: 4000
Length: 4.230m
Maximum Diameter: 1.040m
Mass: 1055 kg
Model :-
This Model is from Trumpeter, China's most reputed Manufacturer of plastic models.
I was quite surprised to see this model, the casting was A++ , typical
Trumpeters, decals were also A++, I started making this model in 1/4/2010, for 7th September 2010 being Pakistan Air Force
day, I proceeded slowly, as usual for paints I used Testors, for China`s flag i.e. Red portion on the fuselage they recommended "Super Italian Red" which was not made by any paint
manufacturer, only made by Mr Hobby, but it was not available here, so I used Testors " Gloss Red" which was of near
match, color # 1203.
For decaling the model, first "Micro Gloss" was sprayed on it, when it dried decals were
applied, when they dried again to seal the decals Micro Gloss was sprayed, then Promodellers wash was
applied, then Micro Flat for my final coat. If you detect any imperfections in this model please excuse
me, to paint this model I used my Badger Air-Brush # 150. I have very weak eye
sight, tried to do my best. I hope you like my JF-17.
Kairasp Daruwala
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Pakistan Air Force
Day 2010 
