[AppyPappy]

Stealing someone’s design is like stealing computer code. You know what it does but not why and how it does it. You are constantly reacting to the unexpected. If something doesn’t work as expected, you have no idea if the design is wrong or you copied it wrongly.

[Jeff Head]

Yes...but in this case they had the SU-27s purchased from Russia that they have operated for years, and the kits with which they made the J-11s which they have also operated for years.

The diferences were in the beefed up langind gear and the tail hook, along with the forward stabilators which they have already mastered with their six prototypes.

IOW, they already know pretty much how to fly them...but not from carriers and that is where there learning curve is about to begin. And, like America, they are going to lose some aorcraft and pilots in the learing.

[Jeff Head]

Yes...but in this case they had the SU-27s purchased from Russia that they have operated for years, and the kits with which they made the J-11s which they have also operated for years.

The diferences were in the beefed up landing gear and the tail hook, along with the forward stabilators which they have already mastered with their six prototypes.

IOW, they already know pretty much how to fly them...but not from carriers and that is where there learning curve is about to begin. And, like America, they are going to lose some aorcraft and pilots in the learing.