First full-scale development aircraft 77-8001/10001 was painted in a high visibility red, white and blue colour scheme similar to that worn by the AT-3s of Taiwan’s Thunder Tiger aerobatic team.
Pre-production and the first production aircraft were fitted with a three-piece cockpit canopy, as illustrated here on the second of ten pre-production IDFs.
Current production single-seat Ching Kuos (post 83-8016/1407) have a two-piece cockpit canopy. Subtle differences in the camouflage scheme may be noted between production and pre-production aircraft (note also the dark radome).
On approach to land, with rear-fuselage split air brakes deployed and with its flaps deflected, production single-seat Ching Kuo 83-8038/1422.
AIDC Indigenous Defensive Fighter Ching Kuo
"Цзин Го" с двумя ракетами "воздух-воздух" средней дальности TC-2 и четырьмя ракетами ближнего боя TC-1
A two-seat Ching Kuo fully armed for the air defence role, with two TC-2 medium-range AAMs on the underfuselage stations and four wing-mounted TC-1 short-range missiles.
Ching Kuo production assembly is carried out at Chin Chuan Kang, adjacent to the RoCAF airfield. The total manufacture and build area occupies some 110,000 square metres and has a staff of more than 2,200 manufacturing and support engineers. Assembly of B-14 (a Lot 2 production two-seater) may be seen in the bottom right hand corner of the photograph.
Reliability and maintainability were key factors in the design of the Ching Kuo. Ease of accessibility is achieved with over 300 access doors and panels, most of which can be reached from ground level without work stands. Groundcrew are seen here working on the first pre-production two-seater 81-8005/1601.
One of the full scale development aircraft (probably 77-8001/10001 after its rebuild) with radar and sporting a colourful red, white and blue colour scheme.
Two-seat full-scale development aircraft (79-8004/10004) in formation with the first two two-seat pre-production Ching Kuos (81-8005/1601 and 81-8006/1602).
An International Turbine Engine Corporation TFE1042-70 afterburning low-bypass ratio turbofan on test. The engine is a joint venture between AlliedSignal Engine Division and the Aero Industry Development Centre.
Вид на "Цзин Го" сзади (шасси еще не полностью убраны)
Single-seat pre-production Ching Kuo 82-8014/1406 shortly after take-off, just as the reheat has been cancelled and the undercarriage is almost fully retracted.
This view of 82-8012/1404, housed in an open hardened aircraft shelter, clearly shows the blended wing-fuselage design and engine air intake configuration.
Up to ten duster bomb units can be carried for the Ching Kuo’s strike or interdictor mission.
This photograph of a two-seat and single-seat Ching Kuo clearly shows the different method of hinging the cockpit canopies. The two-seater’s canopy is hinged on the port side whilst the single-seater’s canopy is hinged at the rear.
Production two-seat Ching Kuo 83-8027/1609 carrying an AIM-9P Sidewinder practise round on the port wingtip station and 1,040 litre centreline fuel tank.
For its air defence role, the Ching Kuo’s primary beyond visual range weapon is the Sky Sword 2. Having a similar geometry and mass to the AIM-7 Sparrow, it has squared-off moving control fins aft and distinctive cropped short-span long-chord fixed wings forward. It is unclear whether the missile employs semi-active or active radar homing.
Devoid of unit markings, the only concessions to the Ching Kuo’s low visibility colour scheme and markings are red warning strips for the air intake and turbine disc position, and ‘Ching Kuo’ is stencilled on both sides of the nose of all aircraft, in Chinese.
Mock-up of the Ching Kuo cockpit. Note the switches on the pressure-sensing sidestick controller (starboard console) and on the throttle lever (port console) which provide HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) capability.
AIDC IDF Indigenous Defence Fighter Ching Kuo
General arrangement drawing of the AIDC Ching Kuo IDF with a scrap view of the two-seat variant.
