Calling all Chinese aircraft carrier (Liaoning etc) fans

[Haijun watcher]

While I realize any past discussions on the recently commissioned Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning on this forum are covered on the Russian Admiral Kuznetsov class carriers thread, I started this thread for any of fans of Chinese aircraft carriers in particular.

I've been following the progress of China's efforts to create a carrier force for a while. Some of you may also be aware that Trumpeter has a 1/700 kit of the Liaoning, although it just says "PLA Navy Aircraft Carrier" on the box.

I will start this thread by posting a picture of the Liaoning and her escorts from their recent foray into the South China Sea last year.


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I'd also like to repost a news article about the construction of China's 2nd aircraft carrier, which began this week.

Construction just began on this carrier, which should be 90,000-110,000 tonnes (according to a different source than the article), but whose design is based on the cancelled Soviet Ulyanosk design and thus derivative of the smaller Kuznetsov class.

Section of aircraft carrier built last year to attract aircraft carrier contract

The 2nd session of the 12th Liaoning Provincial People�s Congress is now being held in Shenyang. Wang Min, Liaoning Party secretary and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Congress disclosed in the morning group discussion today that construction of China�s second homegrown aircraft carrier has started at Dalian Shipyard and is expected to be completed in 6 years. In the future, China will at least have 4 aircraft carriers. In addition, the shipyard is responsible for building two new-version 052D Aegis missile destroyers.

That has been the first official disclosure ever of the construction of a China-made aircraft carrier.

However, Wang has given no information about the carrier: whether it is conventional or nuclear powered and whether there will be catapult to help taking off.

Chinese military expert Li Jie believes that the new aircraft carrier will be bigger than the Liaoning with a displacement of 70,000 to 90,000 tons. It will be a conventional one without catapult so that it will be easier to build.

He believes that China�s third aircraft carrier will be bigger to carry more aircrafts and allow the installation of a catapult.

Another expert Du Wenlong also believes that China�s first homegrown aircraft carrier will be a conventional one.

Previously CSIC (China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation) said in December 2013 that it had received two super shipbuilding contracts.

Source: news.ifeng.com �Liaoning Provincial Party Secretary confirms China�s homegrown aircraft carrier is being built in Liaoning to be completed in 6 years�

[Haijun watcher]

Insider Photos of Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning (Source: China.org.cn)

[Timmy C]

I should mention that Trumpeter has a 1/350 version of the Liaoning as well, same deal as their 1/700.

[Admiral John Byng]

Thanks for posting this CCG Sailor.

I hadn't heard any details about the new carrier, so that is very interesting.

[Haijun watcher]

Reposted from another forum:

Some admirers of the carrier Liaoning created a floating model of her.

[jasonfreeland]

Anyone know what kind of power plant she uses? I did some digging and all I can find is specs for the original one, not after refit.

[Haijun watcher]

For those here wondering what the Liaoning's final air wing lineup will be like.

By the way, the J-15 is China's copy of the Russian Su-33 carrier fighter, while the Z-9 is the Chinese copy of the French Dauphin helicopter.

Defense News

Chinese Carrier's Purported Air Wing Deemed Plausible but Limited

TAIPEI � New details have emerged on the aircraft lineup for the new carrier Liaoning, which analysts say is a �plausible� mix of foreign-designed fighter jets and various helicopters, yet limited due to its lack of other necessary aircraft.

According to the Aug. 28 edition of the Chinese-language Shanghai Morning Post, the carrier will house 36 aircraft, including:

? 24 Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark fighters.

? 6 Changhe Z-18F anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters.

? 4 Changhe Z-18J airborne early warning helicopters.

? 2 Harbin Z-9C rescue helicopters.

The article was based on quotes from Cao Dongwei, senior colonel and researcher at the People�s Liberation Army Naval Research Institute. The Liaoning is a refurbished Soviet-era Varyag aircraft carrier procured in 1998 by China and commissioned in 2012.

(...EDITED-MORE AT LINK ABOVE)

[Haijun watcher]

Airbus Defence and Space imagery shows Liaoning pierside at Dalian following refit in the adjacent dry dock.

The absence of most flight deck markings, particularly those delineating take-off and landing areas, is indicative of surface refinishing undertaken during the refit.(PLEIADES � CNES 2014, Distribution Airbus DS/Spot Image/IHS)


IHS Jane's 360

[chuck]

Airbus Defence and Space imagery shows Liaoning pierside at Dalian following refit in the adjacent dry dock.

The absence of most flight deck markings, particularly those delineating take-off and landing areas, is indicative of surface refinishing undertaken during the refit.(PLEIADES � CNES 2014, Distribution Airbus DS/Spot Image/IHS)


IHS Jane's 360

It's amazing how small the carrier looks next to the keel of the big merchant ship taking shape in the dry dock next to her. The keel is as wide as the carrier's flight deck.

[Haijun watcher]

A model of Liaoning's successor:

Source: IHS Jane's 360 - 10 March 2015



A model of a potential follow-on carrier to China's Liaoning was unveiled by Jinshuai Model Crafts in late 2014. Source: Jinshuai Model Crafts

People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) deputy political commissar Rear Admiral Ding Haichun has confirmed that construction of China's first indigenous aircraft carrier is underway, according to the Hong Kong Commercial Daily newspaper, which interviewed several senior officers, including Rear Adm Ding, on the margins of the National People's Congress being held in Beijing.

<snipped>

In a separate report, the PLA Daily reported the successful development of an electromagnetic catapult, citing the assertion by the project leader, Rear Admiral Ma Weiming, that it is the equal of American designs.

China has been very reticent to outline its carrier plans and ambitions. In January, information relating to a contract to supply components for the new carrier was removed from a company's website after it circulated online. On 6 March, Chinese media reported that two workers with access to bases in Dalian had been jailed for six and eight years for passing photographs of China's first carrier, Liaoning , to "foreign spies".

[Haijun watcher]

Related update at the History and Technology section: The Type 81 LHD concept model.

China unveils LHD design


A company-produced model of what could be China's first landing helicopter dock amphibious assault ship. Source: Via CJDBY website


The LHS has three sponsons featuring vertical launchers, possibly for SAM systems. (Via CJDBY website)

[Haijun watcher]

The picture at the link below already shows the keel laid at the shipyard for their 2nd, future carrier:

US Naval Institute

China�s First Domestic Aircraft Carrier Almost Certainly Under Construction

By: Sam LaGrone
September 30, 2015 7:09 PM � Updated: October 1, 2015 11:35 AM

China has quietly begun construction on its first domestic aircraft carrier in the same northern Chinese shipyard that refurbished the People�s Liberation Army Navy�s current Soviet-era carrier, USNI News has learned.

Several sources confirmed to USNI News that an unknown shipbuilding project � first noticed publically by Jane�s in late February � is almost without a doubt the bones of the PLAN�s first domestically-built carrier.

Sources pointed USNI News to an April photograph that emerged on the Chinese language Internet of a ship under construction at the Dalian yard believed to be the super structure of the PLAN�s second carrier.

(...SNIPPED)

[prowler0000]

Although i asked in the Main Forum, I got not replies.....

%So i ask again here, probably a better place to have done so:

What colour is the Liaoning?

Trumpeter would have all their ships painted in the same colour (Vallejo 990, FYI) , but i don't for 1 second believe this!

Any ideas, Guys?

[Timmy C]

Did you not see all of the replies in that thread? AndrewZhang gave a pretty good answer. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=160806

[prowler0000]

Umm, nope. Missed em..

Thanks, Tim!

[Haijun watcher]

Pics of the 2nd carrier taking shape:

Sputnik News

[Haijun watcher]

Chinese media touts Liaoning's 'growing combat capability'

Richard D Fisher Jr, Washington DC -

IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
09 August 2016



Source: Via fyjs.cn


China's state television revealed footage on 1 August of the country's only operational carrier, Liaoning (CV-16), carrying eight Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-15 fighters as well as a Z-18 and a Z-9 helicopter on its deck.

[Haijun watcher]

From the same source as the latest post in the thread on Liaoning's half-sister/successor:

6 additional naval aviators certified for carrier operations

[CLASSIC WARSHIPS]

Chinese Pilot training ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIeMacka41k

Just for fun !

Steve Wiper

[Haijun watcher]

An improved version of the 2nd carrier or a sister ship in the same class?

China building third aircraft carrier, says report

IHS Jane's 360 - 24 February 2017

As the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN's) second aircraft carrier, commonly referred to as the Type 001A, nears completion, Chinese state-owned media have reported that the country's third aircraft carrier is also under construction.

Li Jie, a naval military expert, was quoted by the Global Times newspaper on 21 February as saying that the carrier, commonly known as the Type 002, will be "entirely different" from China's previous carriers and that it will look like a "US aircraft carrier rather than a Russian one".