This article was significantly updated on 8 February 2023 with additional primary sources and materials.
Note: This article is 50/50 based on my 2016 book Chinese Seaplanes, Amphibious aircraft and Aerostats/Airships. This book is a collection of brochures from the 2010 and 2016 Airshow China (Zhuhai Airshow). It is a primary research source without analysis. Those interested in the South China Sea should also be interested in China’s aerostats and airships for communication relays and radars. The book’s inventory of brochures of Chinese seaplanes and amphibious aircraft, including ground-effect vehicles, are purposed for use in the South China Sea. The book also has the only brochure available on the H660 ground effect vehicle.
ABOVE: China government photo released to the media states the balloon is not a military vehicle, but a research platform (but unclear whether photograph is the same aircraft configuration that was shot down by the U.S.). Further, Chinese media criticized the U.S. for hypocrisy, citing the fact that China’s military shot down five American U-2 “Dragon Lady" spy planes during the 1960s. These aircraft were piloted by the Taiwan Air Force’s 35th Black Cat Squadron based at Taoyuan Air Base. In total, the Taiwan pilots flew 101 missions over mainland China. See Chris Pocock’s amazing book: 50 Years of the U-2: The Complete Illustrated History of the Dragon Lady (2005) and Black Bats: CIA Spy Flights Over China from Taiwan, 1951-1969 (2010). The 34th Black Bats Squadron consisted of a variety of reconnaissance aircraft.
ABOVE: The patch can be procured HERE.
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4 February 2023