Chinese Aircraft Look-A-Likes

I decided to create a list with aircrafts built in China, but looking confusingly similar to western types. I’m not generally claiming that they were copied. Some might have been built in license, some might use officially licensed parts.

This list will occasionally be updated. Please leave a comment if you know further types.

China Star CS2000
Looks like: Boeing 787

Comparison China Star CS2000 and Boeing 787

AVIC ARJ21
Looks like: Douglas DC-9 / McDonnell Douglas MD-80/90 / Boeing 717

Comparison AVIC ARJ21 and DC-9
Comparison AVIC ARJ21-700 and DC-9-10

Shanghai Y-10 (canceled in 1983)
Looks like: Boeing 707-320

Comparison Shanghai Y-10 and Boeing 707-320

Xian MA60
Looks like: Antonov An-26

Comparison Xian MA60 and Antonov An-26

Chengdu JF-17/FC-1
Looks like: Northrop F-20 Tigershark

Comparison JF-17/FC-1 and Northrop F-20 Tigershark

Chengdu J-10
Looks like: Israel IAI Lavi B

Comparison Chengdu J-10 and Israel IAI Lavi B

Changhe Z11
Looks like: Eurocopter AS-350 Ecureuil

Comparison Changhe Z11 and Eurocopter AS-350 Ecureuil

Changhe Z8
Looks like: Aérospatiale Super Frelon

Comparison Changhe Z8 and Aérospatiale Super Frelon

Photo Credits:
China Star CS2000 by: carnoc.com; Boeing 787 by: Boeing; ARJ21 by: AVIC; DC-9 by: Paul Robbins; Shanghai Y-10 by: Taecoxu; Boeing 707 by: Gerard Helmer; Xian MA60 by: AVICI; Antonov An-26 by: Kristof Jonckheere; JF-17 & F-20 By: Wikipedia; J-10 & Lavi by: Unknown; Changhe Z-11 by: Yuxiaobin; Eurocopter AS-350 Ecureuil by: Marco Toso; Changhe Z8 by: unknown; Aérospatiale Super Frelon by: Wikipedia

6 thoughts on “Chinese Aircraft Look-A-Likes”

  1. very thought-provoking, and China does have a history for copying the work of others: ever heard of the iClone? basically, a Chinese iPhone, but some say it is even better. and many cars have been “cloned” and modified by the Chinese, some of which actually reportedly run better. but the Super Frelon/Z8 thing isn’t anything new, because the Chinese military effectively bought some Super Frelons from Aerospatiale for use as transports and ASW platforms. whether they actually manufactured some themselves under license (or not; the Chinese also have a reputation for ignoring licensing deals), I do not know

    again, a good post

  2. Other sources in the NET point out that both Chinese fighters (FC-1 & J-10) area heavily influenced by a russian project sometimes called Mig-33 (not the actual Mig-33), which was basically a single engined Mig-29.

  3. This is a great example of people choosing to see what they want to see. As for the helicopters, China has agreements with European copter makers and produces them under license.

    As for the J-10, it is based off the Israeli Lavi, but is larger, has all new avionics, and a different engine/intake.

    The FC-1 is completely unrelated to the US F-20.

    China’s arj-21 as you can see, has different engines, a differently shaped tail, different size and shape wings from the DC-9. They are not alike at all.

    The China CS-star is someone’s model. No such plane exists, so comparing it is useless. Besides, it does look anything alike.

    My point is, if it has wings, a tail, engines, and a fuselage, all civilian aircraft of the same class look almost identical. Compare Airbus planes with Boeing if you don’t believe me. Just because it is Chinese doesn’t make it a copy. The Japanese have copied american and European designs in the past too.

  4. Quoting Centrist, “China’s arj-21 as you can see, has different engines, a differently shaped tail, different size and shape wings from the DC-9. They are not alike at all.”

    You’re kidding right? Say no to drugs.

  5. It’s not Surprising. The Chinese are prominent for being copycats. Not just aircraft. Even guns, like the Chinese Type-56 Assault rifle. They also copied designer bags, and sold it with the same logo, but not the same price and authenticity. They copied, designer shoes as well.

    Are they to be convicted for these? No. Most companies in the world depend on China for Manufacturing, in exchange (with or without their permission) the blue prints for the product is theirs to copy.