1/144 Shaanxi KJ-200 Balance Beam PLAAF AWACS testbed

Anigrand Craftswork - 1/144 Shaanxi KJ-200. Balance Beam Plaaf Awacs testbed. Includes Bonus aircraft of the Caic WZ-10, Chengdu J-10 and Shenyeng J-14. In late 1990s, the Pla Air Force realised that they would lack the modern AEW&C capability, as the Russias would only sell them an export version Beriev A-50, with considerably reduced capability. The only solution left was to build an AEW&C aircraft of their own. In 2001, the Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation was ordered to develop series special purpose aircraft based on the Yun-8 airframe, which is the Chinese version of Antonov An-12. The KJ-200 was also known within the program. The aircraft was outfitted with a radar antenna with a flat side and an electronically controlled beam radar on the fuselage top, code-named 'Balance Beam'. The first prototype first flew in 2005. In 2006, the second prototype crashed when the aircraft was undergoing system testing. The accident caused a major setback in the KJ-200 project due to the lost of an important prototype and many key personnel. In 2009, the KJ-200 project was officially finished after it performed as lead plane in Chinese National Day military parade.