Shenyang F-8T
The Shenyang J-8II was a major redesign of the original J-8 interceptor, replacing the nose intake with side intakes and a radar nose. This gave it space for a much larger radar and made it more comparable in layout to Western interceptors. The two-seat F-8T export trainer is included under this catalogue code, but shares the family’s long fuselage and twin engines. Its development illustrates China’s effort to modernise an older interceptor without starting from a completely new airframe.
Did you know?
The J-8II moved its intake to the sides of the fuselage, freeing the nose for a larger radar and changing the type's whole profile.
Specifications
| Length | 21.6 m (71 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 9.3 m (31 ft) |
| Height | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 18.8 t |
| Range | 1,200 NM (2,222 km) |
| Maximum speed | 1,250 kt (2,315 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 68,000 ft (20,726 m) |
| Rate of climb | 39,370 ft/min (200 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 630 m (2,067 ft) |
| Landing distance | 1,000 m (3,281 ft) |
| Engines | 2x Liyang Wopen-13A |
| Units built | 1 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Shenyang F-8T starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Shenyang, the F-8T family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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