Shenyang J-15 (Flying Shark), People's Liberation Army Air Force, China, 1:72, KDW

Shenyang J-15 (Flying Shark), People's Liberation Army Air Force, China, 1:72, KDW

The Shenyang J-15, known as the Flying Shark, is a carrier-based fighter developed by China to operate from aircraft carriers. Its history is closely linked to Beijing's desire to establish its own naval aviation and reduce dependence on foreign technology. The project began in the early 2000s, when China purchased an unfinished prototype of the Soviet Su-33 fighter, known as the T-10K-3, from Ukraine. This aircraft became the basis for studies and reverse engineering. From there, the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation set to work developing a naval fighter tailored to Chinese needs.
The first flight of the J-15 prototype took place on August 31, 2009. Just three years later, in 2012, the first successful takeoff and landing tests were conducted from the aircraft carrier Liaoning, the first in service with the Chinese Navy. In 2013, operational deliveries to the People's Liberation Army Naval Aviation began. Throughout its development, the J-15 has undergone several upgrades. Initially, it used Russian AL-31 engines, but domestically produced versions were eventually incorporated. Variants such as the J-15D, designed for electronic warfare, and the J-15T, which featured improved avionics and compatibility with catapult launch systems, essential for operating from China's most modern aircraft carriers, were also developed. The J-15 represented a significant advance in China's ability to achieve a true carrier-based aviation capability, although it also faced technical limitations, particularly due to its initial reliance on ski-jump takeoff ramps, which limited weapons and fuel loads. Despite this, this aircraft marked the beginning of a new era for Chinese naval aviation and laid the groundwork for future developments of next-generation fighters.

Scale: 1:72
Length: Approx. 30.00 cm
Wingspan: Approx. 21.00 cm
Height: Approx. 9.20 cm
Moving parts
Operating landing gear
Aluminum and ABS construction
Factory painted and assembled
Includes a display stand/base that allows the model to be displayed
Presented in a rigid cardboard box with a carrying handle.
Box dimensions: 40.00 x 13.20 x 31.00 cm
Collector's item
Not recommended for children under 14 years of age
Officially licensed