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Wrapped under a tarpaulin at MAKS-2021, the jet's manufacturer Rostec ran an advert saying 'Wanna see me naked?'


Seen on Twitter

Also bizarrely in one of the adverts, what is said to be the jet's sights, a graphic resembling a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer, yes the type that sailed past the Crimea, is shown with the words 'See You'.


Credit: East2West

Propaganda for the proletariat.

Only in mock-up form, maiden flight possibly in 2023 and production in 2026.

References are all over Google. Here's some:-
https://theaviationist.com/2021/07/23/c ... st-claims/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... ng-II.html
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/15647319/ ... swipe-hms/
https://www.foxnews.com/world/russia-un ... t-air-show

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

There was / is a lot of talk on main and social media as regards whether the object shown at this unveiling is a mock up or a prototype of the planned 'Checkmate' aircraft. Of course everything becomes clearer as time passes and once the razzle-dazzle of flashing lights and men in fancy suits have gone, we can see the emperor has no clothes on.

As the manufacturer Rostech says 'Wanna see me naked' ...

The image shows the underside of the 'Checkmate' - a mock up. It's all rivets, hammer blows, misalignment of panels ... first flight by 2023? Really?


Credit: The Aviationist

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums