J-10 Serial 02 shot

I like this picture of the J-10 because it holds more intel value than some of the others we have seen so far.

This picture has a lot of objects of which relative sizes can be compared; a bus, a minivan, a bicycle, and two workers. Compared to the picture of 1006 first shown over a year ago, this picture of 02 makes the plane look a lot more diminutive, smaller, even accessible. You can almost reach out into the picture and touch the plane.

There is a good view right into the intakes, and it seems there are some kind of doors that prevent things from going in.

Unlike the clear canopies in the 10XX series, this plane has a shiny foil or tint like substance in the canopy. I’ve seen something like this on some F-16s and they were meant to prevent radar emissions reflecting off from inside of the cockpit.

The best for last is the number, which is “02”. I always have some room for scepticism on seeing J-10 serial numbers, not knowing if they’re genuine or manipulated. Here this number looks like a “02” and the way the ladder falls over the number, makes this number very, very difficult to create by photoshop. I’m almost sure this number is genuine.

This means there are repetitive serial numbers. “02” here is different from “1002” (of which only one picture was shown) and both “02” here and “1002” are not the same plane as the purported “02” prototype that was said to have crashed in development. “02” here is probably series production, and the plane here is still awaiting its official PLAAF colors. There is a small silvery blister covered by the ladder under the canopy—-this addition is now a hallmark for serial production and in service J-10s.

There is still another part of the picture I like is that from this angle, the slightly inverted gullwing look of the delta becomes more apparent, and outboard, you can see the slats in the leading forward edge of the outer wing.

Also note the lights in the landing gear. Handy to know if you plan to model the plane.

Lastly, we finally know where the J-10 sucks its fuel. I originally thought the fuel port was somewhere above the wing.