The J8II and Su15 link is non-existence and is only made by those making superficial comparisons of the general shape. There has never been any shred of believable evidence linking the two, and the timeframe of their development makes it even more improbably since the USSR and PRC were effectively on a war footing with each other when these planes came out.

The more I study the J-8I compared to the J-8II the more I see the similarities from one iteration to the next. The Su-15 seems to have influenced the rudder and main wings of the J-8I/II, but the J-8 (not J-8I) definitely is its own animal in that regard. The Su-15 doesn’t seem to have needed trailing strakes, but they were featured on the J-7 and Ye-152A. All in all the J-8I seems to be a marriage of Su-15 Flagon-A technology (main wing, radar, engines) with the J-7 more so than a simple clone of the Ye-152A. When they got to the J-8II its clear they cloned parts from the MiG-23 (air intakes, nose cone, radar, tail planes, gun) and MiG-21bis (engines), but seems to have continued to draw lessons from the Su-15 Flagon-C (rudder, antennas, primitive rwr). We know that later on in the mid-90’s it would get direct Russian assistance to add in weaponry from the MiG-29 and Su-27 programs. I agree its not a direct clone of the Su-15, but it definitely shared design elements from said aircraft; elements not found in the J-7 from which it supposedly was developed.

Nope, T-45 has never operated from a carrier…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTDheGsmEyI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGfhwhM8LMo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5BfjXco4Gc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pc67gE8Jzw&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc0aWv596eE&feature=related
(obviously, I lied)

J8, thanks very much. Is that a heavily modified Mig19?

The basic lines of the J-8II suggest a Sukhoi influence from the Su-15. However the air intakes look like dead ringers for those found on the MiG-23. It only vaguely resembles the Ye-152a that seems to be the basis for the Mig-21 derived J-8I.

Don’t forget that they can dump a lot of heat using incoming fuel as a heat sink before it is burnt off. The propellers today don’t conduct the heat as well as they did when they were built from metal alloys, helping to eliminate them as a heat source.

Not all military transports need ramps. Much military cargo is small stuff, a lot goes in standard cargo containers. Only large loads, such as vehicles, need a ramp, & they represent a minority of loads.

An aircraft this size surely wouldn’t be used for major supply routes, where the delay in offloading due to not having an automated floor/ramp makes that much of difference. But in a pinch, God forbid we ever have another Berlin airlift moment, this type of plane would clog up the tarmac space.

Pretty tough for them to market fighters that take engines they still do a lousy job of supplying.

Can you furnish actual Israeli programmes or experiences directed or related specifically to the Dassault Mirage F1?

Swerve mentioned companies/nations that have actually assembled, operated or actively upgraded F-1’s…..

Let’s be clear, the alternatives to Isreali help steer you towards strictly French parts, like the MICA missile for bvr. You also have to develop a supply chain of parts. The French solutions don’t translate well for a nation that will most likely evolve to use nato standard equipment. By the time you rip out all the old displays and equipment, then put in the overpriced French-derived kit, you may as well buy something that was better from the beginning. The Isrealis are more sensitive to these realities and can customize just about anyone’s hardware to work with your current jet for much less money. In effect they could make the F.1 an option.