Anigrand 1/72 Chengdu J-20

In late 1990s, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force launched the stealth fighter program, Western intelligence applied the codename J-XX. The Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group was selected to be the main contractor for the development. In 2009, the China Air Force commander confirmed that the development of the stealth fighter prototype that designated J-20 was ongoing. No any imagery's of the J-20 prototype came out until it underwent high speed taxing tests in late 2010, considering that the program was kept in high secrecy. The J-20 made its first flight on 11 January 2011. The PLA have not disclosed the engine type. There are claims that the Russians supplied super-cruise capable 117S series engines. As the engine nozzles were clearly non-stealthy, this may be due to the fact that the final "fifth generation" engines had not been completed. The J-20 is expected to use a AESA radar, which should have Low Probability of Intercept modes. The U.S. Department of Defense expects China to have the production fighters in service between 2020 and 2025.

This is the first kit of this aircraft in 1/72 scale and I have to say that this is one of Anigrand's best. The kit is not complex consisting of two fuselage halves, a cockpit with a seat (that looks too small to my eyes), detailed gear bays and gear doors with the proper serrated edges that all stealthy planes seem to have, and a nicely done exhaust nozzle

There are no large pour stubs anywhere on this kit as Anigrand has removed those for you so only minimal clean up is needed. I've test fit some of the parts on this kit and the fit is just superb. With great fit like that, building it will be a real pleasure. Moving on with the kit bits, the landing gear are somewhat generic and the nose gear has the wheel molded in place. The kit has a very nicely done canopy that is probably resin as well and one of the clearest resin canopies I've seen.

Instructions are rather basic and easy to follow. It is basically a matte black jet with a grey interior and white wheel wells. Annigrand recommends painting the gear legs and wheels in white. The decal sheet is basically two sheets from which you pick the markings that are appropriate. I have to say that to me, it looks like the decals are too small for 1/72 scale and more like 1/144 scale. The markings on the image of the parts are not those supplied in the kit and the image to the right are the ones I got with the kit. I got two of these sheets.                                                   

As the history states, this is by all accounts a technology demonstrator, but the Chinese have been known for producing production aircraft that are quite similar to their prototypes, so who knows what the ensuing airframe will look like. For sure it is a neat model and will make a fine addition to the prototypes section of your collection or even as a neat whiffer.

www.anigrand.com

August 2011 

Thanks to www.nostalgicplastic.com for the preview kit. Get yours today and pay no shipping in the US or Canada.

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