Overview
In the mid-1960s, China decided to develop its own indigenous fighter interceptor to counter advanced American designs such as the B-58, F-105, and U-2. The design fell to the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, and they came up with an enlarged J-7 design, powered by two engines. Initially designed to incorporate a large radome and variable geometry intakes, the J-8 initially had a central nose intake and a smaller radome, similar to the MiG-21.
After learning how to make the variable geometry intakes, the J-8 was redesigned, with the resultant J-8II being a very different aircraft. With the intakes now on the fuselage sides, the aircraft could incorporate that large radome, and the J-8II featured an improved radar. The initial production variant was the J-8B, and although the initial variants were somewhat limited, later upgrades to avionics gave the J-8B limited beyond-visual-range capabilities. The problem of range was answered with the J-8D, which added a fixed aerial refueling probe on the forward left fuselage.
The J-8H was an improved J-8D that featured a new pulse-doppler radar that allowed the plane to use the PL-11 Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile. The most visible differences between the J-8H and J-8D are a stiffened radome and two wing fences instead of one. The most modern variant is the J-8F, which has a glass cockpit and more powerful engines. A new fire control radar gives the J-8F the ability to carry the potent PL-12 active-radar homing MRAAM. Like the J-8H, the J-8F also has the two wing fences and stiffened radome. Visually, one can determine a J-8B/D from a J-8F/H by the radome, as the former has a green one, while the newer F/H has a black radome.
The Kit
While Trumpeter had released a kit of the Shenyang J-8II (J-8B) in 1/72, this is the first time we have seen this subject in 1/48. Molded in the usual light gray plastic, the kit features recessed panel lines, an excellent in-the-box interior, and a comprehensive decal sheet that provides spare numbers. A broad selection of underwing weaponry and a fret of photoetch round out the box, making this look like a nice kit overall.
Starting with the cockpit, this is quite a nice assembly. There are two seat styles provided, differing in the details. Unfortunately, there is no information as to which seat is needed for which plane. I am guessing that one represents an early variant and one is a later type, but more research will be needed. Both styles have separate seat cushions, separate pull handle, and separate seat back frames. Photoetch provides seatbelts, with the same belts used on each seat. Once you decide which seat to use, it will fit into the one-piece tub, which features molded-on sidewall detail. The throttle quadrant and control stick are separate, as is the instrument panel. Decals are included for the instrument panel and sidewalls, should you prefer that method of detailing.
While on the front end, the nose gear well is made up from two sides and a floor. This allows for some great detail to be molded in place. The nose gear strut is also nicely done, with the two-piece nose wheel sandwiched between the main strut and a separate fork. The instructions have you assemble all of this before placing it in the fuselage, but I would recommend leaving the gear off until after painting, to prevent breakage.
For the rear fuselage, the exhaust section is molded as one piece. Sliding into this are the two engine exhaust assemblies. These are made up from a two-piece tube that has the engine fan and exhaust collector placed inside. Then there is another tube, a ring, and finally the afterburner petals. All together, this is a fairly complete engine assembly that will provide a detailed exhaust and the engine front faces that will be seen from the intakes.
Turning to the fuselage halves, there are several inserts that need to be put in place. The aft and fore airbrakes have separate bays, while the main landing gear bay is made up from four pieces. At the same time, the intakes can get added to the assembly, with their separate splitter plates. Add in the two bulkheads and the cockpit/nosewheel assembly, and the main fuselage is pretty much together. There are quite a few scoops and antennae that need to be fitted to the plane, and the instructions show these being placed in various steps, so pay attention to all the little pieces as you go along.
For the wings and tailplanes, these are pretty straightforward. The wings are split into upper and lower halves, with separate ailerons and flaps. The main gear well is completely separate as well, which eliminates the risk of sink marks. For the top of the wing, the single wing fence is separate. The main gear is nicely detailed, with a two-piece wheel and separate actuator struts. The stabilizers are also split into upper and lower pieces, while the vertical fin is split in half and features a separate rudder.
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For weaponry, this kit really shines. You get two types of fuel tanks: two 480-liter and two 800-liter (although the plane can only carry a single 800-liter tank on the fuselage centerline). There are also two six-rocket rocket pods. Then there are the missiles. You get PL-5, PL-8, and PL-9 missiles marked for use in the instructions, as well as the PL-7, PL-11, and PL-12. As noted in the overview section, later variants of the J-8II could carry the PL-11 and PL-12, so these become more relevant in future variants.
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Conclusion
This is quite a nice kit, and very likely the only one we'll see of this aircraft in this scale. The detailing is excellent out of the box, and for those interested in Chinese aviation, it fills an important niche. Given the parts breakdown, I think we might see a J-8D or later variant down the road. My thanks to Stevens International for the review sample.