It’s a copy because many many features of the plane are similar to that of the F-35. Not all the details are right, but the overall aerodynamic structure is similar, and we know the Chinese have broken into Lockheed and pilfered their design data.

This is not to say the Chinese didn’t do their own work on the aircraft, used their own supercomputers to run simulations, and made their own design decisions, but in large part this is an F-35 with twin engines, a larger wing, and better project management (although that’s not saying much).

Well, with all due respect you’re contradicting yourself within your two phrases. A copy is pretty much something that is identical with an a original right ? Well , you might say K-13 is a copy of AIM-9B , or Tu-4 is a copy of B-29, and perhaps J-11 or J-16 may or may not be a copy of Su-27/30 ( depending if there was a proper deal/licence agreement or not), but to say J-31 is a copy of F-35 and/or 22 because it has “many similar features” that’s way far fetched.

It may have similar features to either and have a similar configuration, and surely the chinese engineers studied the american fighters long and hard but it is NOT a copy. If it was something that would have been hard to recognize next to an F-22 or 35 then THAT can be called a copy. But J-31 is not a copy, sorry.

Oh no, landing gear bays lack zig-zags!

No, look closely, the front one definitely have zigzags , bays have them too, and the main landing gear doors aswell, it may look like they don’t because of the complex shape, imo.:)

Now way this is PS or anything like that now. Let’s hope we’re gonna see the full shot (of the pic you posted) soon Deino.

From the PLAAF thread:

Originally Posted by SGW06
The fighter doesnt has side weapon bay, and it is powered by WS-13 at the moment, and in the future the 9500-kgf power WS-XX.

However, neither WS-13 nor the future WS-XX has a low by-pass ratio, therefore, the fighter’s supercruise performance will be limited, if has any at all.

As for the gap between the engines and the main airframe, well thats because they have just installed the engines at the time when the picture was taken, there should be an engine nozzle covering there to cover the gap, like these installed on any other fighters.

Just like the fairing for RD-33 on JF-17, right ?

How many missiles can it hold in the bay, 4 PL-10-class i suspect?

The “bump” under the fuselage , that is indeed only the bay doors being half open , the undersurface being smooth when they are closed, right?

Would that be the SAC factory airfield where the pics were taken?

Is september still planned as the first flight date of this bird?

Finally any other details about it?

Thank you.:)