When MiG-31 Firefox (PP1) was stolen and taken over Iron Curtain along with destroying PP2, russian fighter experts had left with nothing. No scientists, no both fighters, no respect from Communist Party of USSR and with never-ending checkouts from KGB/GRU. But they still had drawings and detailed plans of MiG. As usual, help came unexpected...
On march 21, 1987 one of the head fighter specialists (name censored) was contacted by high government agenda of PRC. They said that PRC scientific cell has highly classified data of newest japanese fighter and PRC is ready to join arms to develop fighter much different than everything what world had seen before. Plan of manufacturing was:
From PRC(or Japan):
-manpower, fuel system , fuselage shape, cockpit wraparound system and sensors
From USSR:
-airframe, engines, radar, airframe materials, thought control system
Avionics would came from joint development bureau. Other on-board devices came from unknown sources.
In 1988, June 14 first fighter was ready for tests. Although if was similar to original MiG, shapes of fuselage were softened. Fighter remained in the air for 2 hours. Further tests revealed some problems with FBW system, but nothing serious. Vmax oscillated between 6-7 Mach. Drag was minor because new, more aerodynamic lines of new airplane. Fighter was significantly lighter than it's predecessor because new fuel system. Miniaturized nuclear battery was used as a energy source for engines and avionics. Codename of fighter was "Siberian Dragoon" but official name is still MiG-31 "Firefox" with version marked as "C" (no doubt why this letter was chosen).
Many thanks to
GTX_Admin for allowing me to submit this model. Current state is following:
