1/72 Trumpeter Chinese J-8II

by Charles Leung

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

 

Jian-8 (J-8) is one of the Chinese self-designed combat aircraft and went into production in the 80s. It was in fact the enlarged version of Mig-21 installed with two engines. However, this 2nd generation jet fighter was born to be out-dated. 

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

To solve the shortfalls, some Mig-23 technologies were being absorbed and developed for the J-8II. The major changes moved the air intake from nose section to side in order to allow room to install better radar system for improving its combat capability & to support firing medium range AA missile as an interim fighter.

    

 

The Trumpeter 1/72 scale J-8II is the early type. The model itself is overall nice and easy to build. I have referenced lots of pictures in building this model as the painting instructions were not accurate & the small parts are variance between versions. Besides,  it is quite interesting to see the PLAA adopting the squadron markings to their aircraft likes the western countries did."

Charles 

(Hong Kong)

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Charles Leung