Chinese 4engine flying boat

General » Aviation

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Chinese 4engine flying boat

Posted: 7/26/2016 1:26:27 PM EDT

http://english.gov.cn/news/photos/2016/07/23/content_281475400112079.htm

Competing with the Japanese?

Posted: 7/26/2016 4:38:43 PM EDT

[#1]

Except the Japanese plane hasn't exactly set any sales records. Total production of the Shin Meiwa is under 50. That's one per year since 1971. The Bombardier 215/415 series gives you another 220 airframes, since 1969. Not quite five per year and its a much smaller aircraft. (I don't think the production line is currently active) Hard to see just what market this is aimed at. Too big/too expensive for the water bomber field. Too inefficient to be a maritime patrol aircraft. Or transport. Landing on water is cool and all but is there really a need for it? Most of the rest of the aviation world seems have decided no.

Posted: 7/26/2016 11:17:33 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Except the Japanese plane hasn't exactly set any sales records. Total production of the Shin Meiwa is under 50. That's one per year since 1971. The Bombardier 215/415 series gives you another 220 airframes, since 1969. Not quite five per year and its a much smaller aircraft. (I don't think the production line is currently active) Hard to see just what market this is aimed at. Too big/too expensive for the water bomber field. Too inefficient to be a maritime patrol aircraft. Or transport. Landing on water is cool and all but is there really a need for it? Most of the rest of the aviation world seems have decided no.

View Quote

The Chinese will manufacture a market for it.

Posted: 7/27/2016 12:03:38 AM EDT

[#3]

No one has ever improved on the Marlin hull.

Posted: 7/30/2016 1:38:50 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
No one has ever improved on the Marlin hull.

View Quote

What's with the weird skirt around the forward hull?

Posted: 7/30/2016 1:50:14 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

The Chinese will manufacture a market for it.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Except the Japanese plane hasn't exactly set any sales records. Total production of the Shin Meiwa is under 50. That's one per year since 1971. The Bombardier 215/415 series gives you another 220 airframes, since 1969. Not quite five per year and its a much smaller aircraft. (I don't think the production line is currently active) Hard to see just what market this is aimed at. Too big/too expensive for the water bomber field. Too inefficient to be a maritime patrol aircraft. Or transport. Landing on water is cool and all but is there really a need for it? Most of the rest of the aviation world seems have decided no.

The Chinese will manufacture a market for it.

Supposedly, they're going to use this to solidify their claims to the Spratlys.