...And then there is what the Chinese did to the basic MiG-19, which wasn't produced in that many variants, but the ever resourceful Chinese expanded on the design considerably, offering technology upgrades that were only seen beneath the surface, as well as subtle exterior changes that warranted new designations. The Shenyang J-6 was built in larger numbers, in a greater number of variants for longer than the original product, being in production for an incredible 33 years. Variants of the basic design still serve with the PLAAF and other Third World nations, which means the basic MiG-19 warrants as one of the most long lived combat aircraft designs.
This is an early production Dong Feng 102, one of the earliest built, it's a rarity because they were so badly built that the PLAAF refused to accept them and ordered that they be scrapped. This was because production of the MiG-19 began at the time of the disastrous Great Leap Forward idealogical shift within Chinese communism put in place by Mao Tse Tung. it was more like a terrible drop backward as industry suffered, as did the population; enforced collectivisation in farming communities brought about a famine that killed hundreds of thousands.
Dong Feng 102
A basic MiG-19S copy for export purposes, the F-6.
Shenyang F-6
An improved variant, the J-6II with improved radar and nose auxiliary intake doors.
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The J-6III with wing tip AAMs.
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The Chinese only JJ-6 two-seater, of which again, the parent manufacturer did not produce.
JJ-6s 9922 and 9324
Then, there was the ground attack variant with an internal bomb bay and different avionics, the Nanchang Q-5 Fantan.
Nanchang Q-5 Fantan iiii
Several different variants of the Q-5 were built, including this radar nosed variant.
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And, believe it or not, this torpedo dropper variant - yup, that's right, a jet torpedo bomber, the Q-5B. Note the unusual nose contour. I don't think these went into service.
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The Nanchang Q-5 is still in service with the PLAAF, despite the advent of more advanced indigenous types.
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Deciphering all the different Chinese variants of the basic MiG-19 is difficult to say the least, as even Chinese based texts contradict themselves. What is available in English has come about through interpreting scraps of what the Chinese manufacturers themselves have revealed over the years. Several English language books have attempted to do so, but these still contradict each other. I got the information presented here from display boards at the various museums and the few books on the subject matter. Having just looked over the Wiki page on the J-6 variants, I wouldn't be so trusting of the accuracy of that, even compared to the different books I have on Chinese aircraft written in English, there are discrepancies. The Nanchang Q-5 page is detailed, but again, accuracy cannot be verified. Getting accurate performance specs is also fraught with issue as the PLAAF are notoriously cagey about such information. Using the basic MiG-19 data is a good guide, but doesn't really represent the advanced Chinese variants accurately enough. You won't find mention of the Great Leap Forward and its impact on production on the museum display boards.
