Cleared for Takeoff?

A Chinese copy of the Antonov An-12, Y-8 has become the workhorse of PROC’s airlift strength from 1980; and its growth is a microcosm of New China.  Since 1949, PROC’s development has lurched forward like a man with one strong leg to pull him ahead and one gimp limb dragging behind.  A leg of industrial potential and a limb of Maoist cult, Chinese progress frenemy to the future had its shoelaces tied together until the Reform and Opening-up in 1978.  Lack of modern military and civilian transport/cargo carrier, in 1968 the Department of Aviation Industry (3^rd Mechanical Engineering Department) issued the Y-8 specifications.  Later its R/D in the Shanxi Aircraft Corporation was impeded by the political hotheadedness.

In 1972-75 most superintendents of the 3^rd MED were purged and replaced by party reps.  These political commissars may be the right men for puffing up Mao's Cultural Revolution, but at wrong time in aviation development.  They never accomplished an objective and consistent measure for manufacturing planning, while valuable time and countless resources were wasted.  However, silver linings among the threatening political clouds.  In 1980, the Y-8 design was finalized and mass production started.  By 2010, Y-8 is reported 169 units had been built.  Among its 26 variants, Y-8C full air-tight type is the major product in the Y-8 family, and the first medium size/medium range tactical transport over the Chinese sky.

In addition to Y-8, neither aviation programs, nor any project at all turned out to be progressing smoothly during the riotous Maoist era.  The Chinese Communism is unambiguously negative for the state, which is based on losing-ideology and could descend into chaos as party leaders vie for control.  When a Y-8 variant, KJ-200 AWACS, pompously unveiled in 2014 Zhuhai air show, dangerous rivalries were cleared by thousands nationwide.  Then a state awash with heavy weaponry almost tear open this finely woven patchwork of loyalties, with party’s oligarchies still fail to fall in line.