Published on : 19/07/2024

On July 19, 1956, the Shenyang J-5 (殲-5) had its successful maiden flight, becoming the first fighter jet manufactured and mass-produced in China. After the test flight, it went into mass production in September of the same year.

Derived from the Soviet MiG-17 fighter, the J-5 is a single-engine, single-seat, high subsonic fighter jet manufactured by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). It is mainly used for daytime interception, air combat, and also possesses the capability of ground attack. 

After successful testing and deployment to the troops, China made two modifications, based on the needs of the troops, to the prototype. The two improved versions were the JJ-5 (殲教-5) trainer aircraft, and the J-5A (殲-5甲) with a full radar system which allowed for night operations.

The J-5 marked with "Zhong 0101" is China's first J-5, and the number means that it's the first one of the first batch. The J-5 was initially named "Type 56" (56式), and was not renamed "J-5" until 1964.

As a representative product of the development of China's aviation industry, the first J-5 fighter jet, classified as a significant relic by China, is currently collected in the China Aviation Museum.