A question for the Lawn Dart fans

[Geoff]

In 1972 Nixon went to the PRC. I have read that some time later the USA offered the PRC F-16A's.

Would the Carter administration's rules on exporting weapons tech in the late 70's have ment the PRC would have been the one and only operator of the downgraded F-16/79, or would they have got the standard "A"?

Any opinions please?

Thanks GeoffP.

[Scooterman]

My 2 cents would say..............hard to say!! 

  The Chinese, like everybody else at the time that looked at the F16/79, probably would not have liked the specs that the downrated machine offered.  HOWEVER, perhaps they would be willing to take the low road just for the tech in the rest of the F-16 airframe and make do with that.

Hell down the road, maybe they try to shoe horn in a licensed built Spey in there...........

I'm not much help Geoff, other than my PRC Viper will be F100 powered! 

[pyro-manic]

Perhaps they later fit a PW1120, after their Lavi-related dealings with Israel?

[Gondor]

Perhaps they later fit a PW1120, after their Lavi-related dealings with Israel?

Talking of which, does anyone know of any PW1120 engines/nozzles being available anywhere?

Gondor

[Geoff]

The Chinese, like everybody else at the time that looked at the F16/79, probably would not have liked the specs that the downrated machine offered.  HOWEVER, perhaps they would be willing to take the low road just for the tech in the rest of the F-16 airframe and make do with that.

Yeah I was thinking along the same lines. I did wonder if they might refuse to be seen to buy the lower spec plane to not loose face. Perhaps they would go for a P&W F-100 powered F-16 with lower spec avionics, assuming the US doesn't want to sell the latest avionics?

I was sort of thinking "Evil Empire" with the USA cosying up to the PRC to put pressure on the Soviet Union. I have read that the PRC wanted to get hold of F-111's Tornadoes and Mirage 2000's to face down the USSR. Also looking  for a reason to do an F-16/79.

Perhaps they later fit a PW1120, after their Lavi-related dealings with Israel?

That does make sense.

[deathjester]

Perhaps they later fit a PW1120, after their Lavi-related dealings with Israel?

Talking of which, does anyone know of any PW1120 engines/nozzles being available anywhere?

Gondor

Do you have a piccie of said article?

BTW, did you get the kit I sent?

[Scooterman]

these help?  (knicked from the intrawebs)



The 1120 was based off the F100 with major diffeneces-check the wiki article- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratt_%26_Whitney_PW1120
but I think you could use an early F100 nozzle with turkey feathers and 'bend in' the outer 1/3 to get the look when fully opened.  Second pic shows what I'm talking about.

[pyro-manic]

PW1120 exhaust shown here: http://www.pbase.com/xnir/image/28239810

Erk, Scooter beat me to it.

[deathjester]

Perhaps they later fit a PW1120, after their Lavi-related dealings with Israel?

Talking of which, does anyone know of any PW1120 engines/nozzles being available anywhere?

Gondor

I have something like that left over from a 1/72 F-14.  I will find them and post a pic - you're welcome to them if they will help!