Chengdu celebrated its 50th anniversary by sticking a two-seat version of it J-10 fighter on display in front of its main building, and the aircraft should-at last-make its debut at this year's Airshow China. Expectations that the J-10 would be displayed were also high before the 2006 event, though the only sign of the aircraft was a poster advertising the show in downtown Zhuhai. This week's exhibition should mark the aircraft's show debut. Other types lined up include the Xian JH-7A and the Xian H-6U tanker derivative of the Tu-16 Badger. There are also suggestions that a military helicopter could also be wheeled out for the show. On the civil side, the air show debut of the ARJ21 regional twinjet now appears unlikely due to delays in the flight-test program. The Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China warned last month that first flight of the AR J21 would probably not take place until this month.
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