Shenyang J-5

The Shenyang J‑5 was the Chinese‑built version of the Soviet MiG‑17 fighter‑bomber, produced by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. After the Korean War highlighted the need for an interceptor, the People’s Republic licensed the MiG‑17 design and began series production at Shenyang’s J‑5 plant in 1956. Over 1,700 airframes were assembled, including the single‑seat J‑5A, the two‑seat trainer J‑5B, and the ground‑attack J‑5C equipped with rockets and a 23 mm cannon.

Key features include a swept‑wing layout with a 45‑degree leading edge, a single Klimov VK‑1 turbojet delivering about 5,950 lbf thrust, and armament of one 23 mm Nudelman‑Rikhter cannon plus provisions for rockets or bombs. The aircraft reached Mach 0.94, a service ceiling near 55 000 ft, and a range of roughly 1,200 km, giving strong climb and interception capability.

The J‑5 played a pivotal role in establishing China’s indigenous jet‑fighter industry, providing the PLA Air Force its first mass‑produced supersonic platform and serving as a bridge to later designs such as the Chengdu J‑7 and Shenyang J‑8. Its widespread use across Asia and Africa in the 1960s cemented its legacy as a cornerstone of Cold‑War aviation development.

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation

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