In August I received an email from Sergei Butcher, who was wondering what strange plane at Datangshan this was!I did not have a clue about this plane, but Sergei researched further and provided the following information-
"This is a non-flying breadboard model F-84, made from CJ-6!
What exactly visibly altered is: a nose and + top of the fuselage behind the cockpit (which has been changed from 2-seat to single). It is also visible that the back part of a lantern of a cabin too consists of details from CJ-6 and from again made details. And pay attention to the form of the nose, which is almost a cone, that is geometry-wise simple, any double curvature, as on present F-84. Also the new nose is put to an old fuselage on an inclined line and is a typical decision of Design office Yakovlev. And it not an aviation design, there is not enough rivet of seams. By the real machine of frames and stringers should be more."
"First photo I took from www.skyviking.com/skysoul.html,
and here are a few more (previously published on www.rrgstudios.com) :
I am assured, that nobody will object. You can refer to me and use these materials and a photo.
Enjoy!"
Thanks Sergei!
