J-5 (Jian-5 Fighter aircraft 5)
The beginnings of China's air force can be traced back to the Korean conflict, in which its pilots flew Soviet-made MiG-17s. China, during the same time period, began license-production of Mig-17s, and were redesignated the J-5. Overall, licence-production of the J-5 and its components helped develop the manufacturing and technological base of China's air force.
Equipped with the WP5 engine, the J-5 had maximum speed of 1,145 km/h, a service ceiling of 16, 600 m , and and maximum range 2,120 km. The J-5 fighters specialized in interception and was also capable of ground attack. A major characteristic of the J-5 was that its air-intake was located in the nose of the aircraft.
China's Shenyang Aircraft Factory produced the J-5, mainly because of its experience and familiarity with MiG aircraft. It had already repaired 200 MiGs during the Korean War, and had already trial produced MiG-15 undercarriages, fuselages and other key components. With Soviet guidance, trial production began in April 1955. The Shenyang Aero-engine Factory licence-produced the WP5 engine, which was certified in June 1956. The J-5 completed its test programs in August 1956 and was officially accepted on September 8.
The Chinese also developed variants of the J-5 fighter to fulfill other needs, such as the J-5A and the JJ-5. Equipped with the Shelei-1 radar, the J-5A served as a limited, all-weather fighter and adopted in December 1964, the J-5A had its modifications made by the Chengdu Aircraft Factory. Derived from the J-5A and also modified by the Chengdu Aircraft Factory, the two-tandem JJ-5 served as a fighter-trainer and was adopted in December 1966.
