Thanks for the compliments!
The JL-9 is considered to be a derivative of the JJ-7 (the trainer derivative of China’s Mig-21 clones). So, it’s a souped version of what is a nearly 60-year-old base design. That itself seems impressive and pragmatic in itself.
60-years old and still going. We have a few of those designs, too . . . and they are still effective. Start with a good design and the plane will be good for a long time. Start poorly, and you can never get it right (I guess within a few years we will know which camp the F-35 will be in).
Thanks again. (See, even in your short response, you added interesting information. Now I have to go Google “JJ-7” LOL!)
Oldplayer
Indeed. I thought that it all looked jolly familiar. Basic, rugged airframe so the newbies are not likely to prang it too badly.
Really? I was going to say it looks like a JF-17.