View source for Shenyang J-6

{{Short description|Chinese variant of the Soviet MiG-19}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2012}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = J-6/F-6
| image = Shenyang J-6 (cropped).jpg
| caption = A J-6 fighter flight display at the 2010 [[Zhuhai Air Show]]
| type = [[Fighter aircraft]]
| manufacturer = [[Shenyang Aircraft Corporation]]<ref name = "chinese">Gordon, Yefim & Komissarov, Dmitry. Chinese Aircraft. Hikoki Publications. Manchester. 2008. {{ISBN|978-1-902109-04-6}}</ref>
| designer = 
| first_flight = 30 September 1959
| introduction = 29 April 1962 (1964, practical type)
| retired = Late 1990s (China)<br />Mid-2002 (Pakistan)
| status = In service
| primary_user = [[People's Liberation Army Air Force]] (historical)
| more_users = [[Pakistan Air Force]] (historical)<br /> [[Korean People's Air Force]]<br />[[Bangladesh Air Force]] (historical) 
| produced = [[1958 in aviation|1958]]–[[1986 in aviation|1986]]
| number_built = 4,500+ (including JJ-6 trainer)<ref name = "chinese"/>
| developed_from = [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19]]
| variants = 
| developed_into = [[Nanchang Q-5]]
}}

The '''Shenyang J-6''' ([[wikt:歼|Chinese]]: 歼-6; designated '''F-6''' for export versions; [[NATO reporting name]]: '''Farmer''') is the Chinese version of the Soviet [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19|MiG-19 'Farmer' fighter]], the world's first mass-produced supersonic aircraft.<ref name = "chinese"/>

==Design and development==
[[File:Shenyang JJ-6 silhouette.png|thumb]]
[[File:A MiG-19 at the Pima Air & Space Museum (53454065764).jpg|thumb|Rear twin engine exhaust nozzles]]

Although the MiG-19 had a comparatively short life in Soviet service, the Chinese came to value its agility, turning performance, and powerful [[cannon]] armament, and produced it for their own use between 1958 and 1981. While the basic Soviet-built MiG-19 has been retired from all nations, the Shenyang J-6 still flies for nine of its original 15 operators, however, in a very limited capacity. The J-6 airframe contributed to the Chinese ground attack version, the [[Nanchang Q-5|Q-5]], which still flies for numerous nations.

The J-6 was considered "disposable" and was intended to be operated for only 100 flight hours (or approximately 100 [[sortie]]s) before being overhauled. The [[Pakistan Air Force]] was often able to extend this to 130 hours with diligent maintenance.<ref name = "yeagerbio">Yeager and Janos 1986, p. 396.</ref>

A number of J-6 based at Liancheng and Yangtang-li bases appeared to have been converted into unmanned aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yeo|first=Mike|date=2021-10-20|title=China shows off drones recycled from Soviet-era fighter jets|url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2021/10/20/china-shows-off-drones-recycled-from-soviet-era-fighter-jets/|access-date=2021-10-26|website=Defense News|language=en}}</ref> Work on unmanned J-6 was first reported in 2013.<ref name=":1" />

===Description===
[[File:BAF FT-6 engine on display at Bangabandhu Military Museum.jpg|thumb| [[Bangladesh Air Force|BAF]] FT-6's Wopen WP-6A turbojet engines on display at [[Bangladesh Military Museum]] ]]
The J-6 has a maximum speed at altitude of 1,540&nbsp;km/h (960&nbsp;mph), Mach 1.45. Service ceiling is 17,900&nbsp;m (58,700&nbsp;ft). Combat radius with two drop tanks is about 640&nbsp;km (400&nbsp;mi). The aircraft is powered by two Liming Wopen-6A (Tumansky R-9) turbojet engines. In addition to the internal cannon armament, most have provision for four wing pylons for up to 250&nbsp;kg (550&nbsp;lb) each, with a maximum ordnance load of 500&nbsp;kg (1,100&nbsp;lb). Typical stores include unguided bombs, 55&nbsp;mm rocket pods, or [[PL-2]]/[[PL-5]] (Chinese versions of Soviet [[K-13 missile (AA-2 Atoll)|K-13]]) air-to-air missiles.

==Operational history==

===Albania===
[[Albanian Air Force]] J-6s replaced the [[Shenyang J-5|J-5s]] on the border to intercept Yugoslav incursions into Albanian airspace. However, the J-6 was ineffective against the faster Yugoslav [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21 'Fishbed']]. Once the [[Chengdu J-7#Variants|F-7A]] became available, the J-6 was redeployed to protect [[Tirana]]. As of 2005 all Albanian fighters were grounded due to a lack of spare parts.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}

=== Pakistan ===
[[File:PAF Museum Karachi, Pakistan 02.jpg|thumb|A retired Pakistani F-6 on display.]]

Between 1965 and 1980, the [[Pakistan Air Force|Pakistan Air Force (PAF)]] received 260 F-6 fighters which went on to serve with 10 [[list of Pakistan Air Force Squadrons|PAF squadrons]] at various times. During their service, Pakistani F-6s also underwent 140 modifications at the [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex]] to improve its capabilities in the [[interceptor aircraft|interceptor]] and [[close air support]] roles. These modifications included installation of [[Martin-Baker]] ejection seats, [[gun camera]]s, [[western bloc|western]] [[avionics]], [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|AIM-9B/J/P]] missiles, [[France|French]] 68mm [[SNEB]] rockets, underbelly gondola-style [[fuel tanks]] and a special [[ground power unit]], to quickly start the engines and shorten [[scrambling (military)|scramble]] time.<ref name="stn">{{cite magazine|date=27 July 2020 |title=Faithful Warrior |url=https://secondtononepaf.com/2020/07/27/faithful-warrior/ |magazine=Second To None |publisher=Directorate of Media Affairs Pakistan Air Force |access-date=27 August 2022|author=AVM (R) Ikramullah Bhatti}}</ref><ref name="hali">{{cite web
|url=http://www.defencejournal.com:80/2000/july/f-6.htm
|title=F-6 Aircraft of Pakistan Air Force
|website=Defence Journal
|author=Group Captain Sultan M Hali
|access-date=2022-08-27
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001027213636/http://www.defencejournal.com:80/2000/july/f-6.htm
|archive-date=27 October 2000}}</ref><ref name="qadeer">{{cite web|website=DefenceJournal.com|title=Final Salute to F-6 |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/may/salute.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030103080245/http://www.defencejournal.com:80/2002/may/salute.htm |author=Air Commodore Qadeer Ahmad Hashmi |archive-date=3 January 2003}}</ref>

==== 1971 Indo-Pakistani War ====
[[File:PAF No. 25 Squadron officers 1968.jpg|thumb|PAF Pilots from the No. 25 Squadron with a Shenyang F-6 in 1968]]

When the [[1971 War]] broke out, the PAF had operationalized three F-6 squadrons which were the [[No. 11 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 11]], [[No. 23 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 23]] & No. 25 Squadrons. The F-6s of these squadrons collectively flew 945 [[sorties]] out of which 834 were combat ones.<ref name="stn"/><ref name="hali"/><ref name="qadeer"/>

=====Air to Air Combat=====
Throughout the war, the F-6 flew 650 Air Defence sorties in which they shot down approximately 8 Indian [[warplanes]] while damaging 2 more.<ref name="stn"/><ref name="paf">{{cite web|url=https://paf.gov.pk/#/history|title=Trauma & Reconstruction (1971-1980)|website=Pakistan Air Force|access-date=29 September 2022|archive-date=26 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826081717/https://paf.gov.pk/#/history|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 4 December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Javaid Latif of the [[No. 23 Squadron PAF|No. 23 Squadron]] shot down an [[Su-7]] over [[Faisalabad Airport|Risalewala Airfield]] while Flying Officer Qazi Javed of the No. 25 Squadron shot down a [[Hawker Hunter]] over [[PAF Base Mianwali|Mianwali Airfield]].<ref name="qadeer"/><ref name="hali"/>

On 5 December 1971, Wing Commander Saad Hatmi (the [[Officer Commanding]] of the No. 25 Squadron) and his [[wingman]] Flight Lt. Shahid Raza shot down 2 Indian [[Hawker Hunters|Hunters]] near [[Sakesar]].<ref name="hali"/><ref name="qadeer"/>

On 7 December 1971, Flight Lt. Atiq Sufi of the [[No. 11 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 11 Squadron]] shot down an [[Su-7]] near [[Samba, Jammu and Kashmir|Samba]].<ref name="hali"/><ref name="qadeer"/>

On 8 December 1971, [[Syed Manzoor ul Hassan Hashmi|Wing Commander Hashmi]] shot down a [[Su-7]] which was attacking the Risalewala Airfield.<ref>{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 2007|title= PAF Over the Years |url=https://www.abebooks.com/PAF-Over-Years-Hussaini-M-Directorate/30089221503/bd |location=Pakistan |publisher= Directorate of Media Affairs, Pakistan Air Force |page=73|chapter=F-6 Vs SU-7|edition=Revised }}</ref><ref name="hali"/><ref name="qadeer"/>

On 14 December 1971, Flight Lieutenant Amir Sharif of [[No. 11 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 11 Squadron]] claimed to have shot down a superior IAF [[MiG-21]] over [[Shakargarh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=2261912677462297&paipv=0&eav=AfZa6jdcHDUpGuf2lnQLn_8OB5kI6HP7a9lZvBK3bUazyyKYdhfq_NxM82OdC-wbooc&_rdr|title=BBC Interview of Flight Lt. Amir Sharif|website=[[Facebook]] }}</ref><ref name="qadeer"/><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/1971war/pafkills71.html
|title=PAF Air to Air kills (1971 War)
|publisher=PakDef.info
|access-date=2022-08-27
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605022046/http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/1971war/pafkills71.html
|archive-date=5 June 2008}}</ref>

=====Ground Attack=====
Moreover, the F-6 flew 184 [[Close Air Support|Ground Attack]] sorties where their 3 x 30&nbsp;mm guns and 57&nbsp;mm [[S-5 rocket]]s were particularly effective against [[Indian Army Armoured Corps|Indian armour]], [[military vehicles]], [[bunkers]], and [[force concentration|troop concentrations]]. Their [[Close Air Support]] missions at [[Shakargarh]] were the most successful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/2010/04/air-support-in-shakargarh-1971-war.html?m=1|author=[[Kaiser Tufail]]|title=Air Support in Shakargarh – 1971 War|date=14 April 2010|website=AERONAUT}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://defencejournal.com/2019/08/10/1971-air-war-assessed/|title=1971 Air War Assessed|date=10 August 2019|website=Defence Journal|author=[[Kaiser Tufail]]}}</ref><ref name="stn"/>

At the end of the war, the PAF had lost two F-6s to ground fire while losing one F-6 to an Indian [[Su-7]]. An F-6 was also lost to friendly fire.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/1971war/paf_aircraft_losses.html
|title=PAF Aircraft losses (1971 War)
|date=
|publisher=PakDef.info
|access-date=2022-08-27
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712003410/http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/1971war/paf_aircraft_losses.html
|archive-date=12 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="paf"/>

Some notable Pakistani F-6 pilots are [[Mushaf Ali Mir]] who later became the [[Chief of Air Staff (Pakistan)|PAF's Chief]], [[Wajid Khan (Canadian politician)|Wajid Ali Khan]] who was taken as a [[Prisoner of War|POW]] after being shot down by Indian [[Anti-Aircraft Gun|AAA]], he later became a [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of the Parliament]] in [[Canada]] and [[Syed Manzoor ul Hassan Hashmi]]. The single-seat F-6 was retired from the Pakistan Air Force in 2002 and replaced with the [[Chengdu F-7PG|Chengdu F-7P/PG]] aircraft.<ref name="stn"/><ref name="qadeer"/>

===Vietnam War===
The supersonic speed advantage provided by the MiG-21's more modern turbojet engine was found to be not as useful in combat as originally thought, because aerial [[dogfight]]s at the time were conducted almost entirely at subsonic speeds. The J-6 (and hence the MiG-19 too) was found to be more manoeuvrable than the MiG-21 and, although slower, its acceleration during dogfights was considered adequate. The [[North Vietnamese Air Force]] fielded at least one unit of J-6s during the war, the 925th [[Fighter aircraft|Fighter]] [[Regiment]], beginning in 1969.<ref name = "Toperczer">Toperczer, Istvan.  ''MiG-17 and MiG-19 Units of the Vietnam War.'' 2001, Osprey Publishing Limited.  {{ISBN|1-84176-162-1}}</ref>

===Somalia===
Somalia ordered at least eleven F-6Cs and two FT-6s in 1979.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|pp=99,107}}</ref> Deliveries started in 1980.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=97}}</ref> They were used during border skirmishes with Ethiopia in 1981, and they also saw combat during the [[Somali Rebellion]], in the second half of the 1980s and until 1991.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|pp=107,110}}</ref>

===Sudan===
Twelve F-6 fighters and two FT-6 trainers were reportedly delivered to the [[Sudanese Air Force]], starting in 1973. Moreover, twelve F-6Cs were delivered between 1981 and 1983. Another batch of twelve F-6Cs might have been acquired in 1990, as well as two FT-6s in 2001.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=116}}</ref> Sudanese F-6s participated in the [[Second Sudanese Civil War]], from the 1980s to the early 1990s.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|pp=133,135}}</ref> One F-6 was claimed shot down by the rebels in 1988, and two more in the autumn of 1991.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|pp=135,153}}</ref>

===Uganda-Tanzania War===
The [[Tanzania Air Force Command]] received its first batch of twelve F-6s starting in June 1973.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=161}}</ref> An additional twelve F-6Cs and up to four FT-6s were also delivered in 1982.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|pp=161,165–166}}</ref> Tanzanian F-6s participated in the 1978–1979 [[Uganda-Tanzania War]]. However, they aren't known to have been involved in any air-to-air combats.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=167}}</ref>

===Zambia===
Twelve F-6s were delivered to the [[Zambian Air Force]], probably between 1976 and 1978.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=200}}</ref> On 8 June 1980, Zambian F-6s intercepted and shot down an [[Angola]]n [[Yakovlev Yak-40]], under unknown circumstances.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=204}}</ref>

===Kampuchea-Vietnam War===
[[File:Shenyang J-6 and 2 Mig 21s.jpg|thumb|Shenyang J-6 fighter at Vietnamese People's Air Force Museum, Hanoi]]
In the era of [[Khmer Rouge]] control of Cambodia (1975–1979), Chinese-supplied Khmer J-6s participated in Kampuchea-Vietnamese border clashes for ground attacks. During the [[Cambodian–Vietnamese War|Vietnamese invasion]] in 1978, the Cambodian aircraft were reluctant to take-off to intercept the Vietnamese ones, thus the Vietnamese captured a number of J-6s and put them on public display.

===Iran–Iraq War===
During the 1980–88 [[Iran–Iraq War]], both sides deployed J-6 fighter jets. Documents from the US [[Defense Intelligence Agency]] released under the [[Freedom of Information Act (United States)]] on Chinese arms sales to Iran reveal that between 1980 and 1987 [[China]] delivered 100 J-6 fighter jets to Iran.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dia.mil/FOIA/FOIA-Electronic-Reading-Room/FOIA-Reading-Room-China/FileId/89317/ |title=Defense Intelligence Agency > FOIA > FOIA Electronic Reading Room > FOIA Reading Room: China |access-date=12 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211104904/http://www.dia.mil/FOIA/FOIA-Electronic-Reading-Room/FOIA-Reading-Room-China/FileId/89317/ |archive-date=11 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Iraq's J-6 fighters were transferred from the [[Egyptian Air Force]]. Most missions J-6s performed during the Iran-Iraq War were air-to-ground attack.<ref name="AirForceWorld.com_J6_fighter_jet_during_wars">{{cite web |url=http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/j-6-mig-19-fighter-china-history.htm |title=J-6 Fighter Jets in wars |publisher=AirForceWorld.com |access-date=5 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906131144/http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/j-6-mig-19-fighter-china-history.htm |archive-date=6 September 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Variants==
===Mass production type===
[[File:F-6A fighter at the China Aviation Museum.jpg|thumb|F-6A]]
[[File:F-6B fighter at China Aviation Museum.jpg|thumb|F-6B]]
[[File:FT-6 trainer at the China Aviation Museum.jpg|thumb|Two-seat FT-6]]
* '''Shenyang J-6''' – (a.k.a. '''Type 59''', '''Dongfeng-102''', '''Product 47''' and F-6) Despite having no suffix to the designation, the J-6 appeared after the initial production of the J-6A had begun. The J-6 was equivalent, but not identical, to the MiG-19S.<ref name = "chinese"/>
* '''Shenyang J-6A''' – Production of the J-6 restarted after new assembly jigs, and other assistance, acquired from the USSR. Similar to MiG-19PF, an all-weather [[radar]]-equipped [[interceptor aircraft|interceptor]] with two [[Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30|NR-30 30mm cannon]]. Exported as the '''F-6A'''.<ref name = "chinese"/>
* '''J-6B''' – (a.k.a. '''Type 59B''', '''Dongfeng-105''' and '''Jianjiji-6 Yi''') Similar to MiG-19PM "Farmer-D", interceptor with two PL-1 (Chinese version of Soviet [[K-5 missile (AA-1 Alkali)|K-5 (AA-1 'Alkali')]] [[beam-riding]] [[air-to-air missile]]s; it is unclear if the J-6B retains its cannon. Only 19 J-6Bs were built by [[Hongdu|Nanchang Aircraft Mfg. Co.]] before the programme was terminated.<ref name = "chinese"/>
* '''J-6C''' – (a.k.a. '''Jianjiji-6 Bing''', '''Product 55''' and '''F-6C''') Day fighter version with three [[Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30|30mm cannons]] and braking parachute at the base of the [[Vertical stabilizer|rudder]].<ref name = "chinese"/> This cannon's codename is Type 30-1.<ref name="AirForceWorld.com_J6_fighter_jet_ammunition">{{cite web |url=http://airforceworld.com/pla/j-6-mig-19-fighter-china.htm |title=J6 fighter jet ammunition |work=AirForceWorld.com |access-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906122627/http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/j-6-mig-19-fighter-china.htm |archive-date=6 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* '''Shenyang J-6D''' – Advanced version of the J-6A with radome on the splitter plate (rather than the shock cone centerbody) for a Chinese-made radar. May also have been designated '''J-6 Xin'''.<ref name = "chinese"/> Another name is "J-6III". The name D-type was coined as a piggyback.
* '''Shenyang/Tianjin JJ-6''' – (''Jianjiji Jiaolianji'' – fighter trainer, a.k.a. '''Product 48''' and '''FT-6''') Chinese designed two-seat trainer, stretched 84&nbsp;cm (33.1&nbsp;in) to accommodate second seat, armed with one 30&nbsp;mm cannon.<ref name = "chinese"/>
* '''Shenyang JZ-6''' –  ('''Jianjiji Zhenchaji''' – reconnaissance fighter) Dedicated [[aerial reconnaissance|reconnaissance]] version with fuselage [[camera]] pack replacing cannon. In April 2006, it was reported that the PLAAF 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment, 26 Air Division based in [[Nanjing Military Region|Nanjing MR]], it was the last regiment to actively fly the JZ-6 refusing to convert to the [[Shenyang J-8|JZ-8F]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_china-defense_archive.html |title=China Defense Blog |access-date=16 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708031131/http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_china-defense_archive.html |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Source is inaccessible and unreliable([[WP:BLOGS]])|date=February 2025}} Exported as the '''Shenyang FR-6'''.
* '''Guizhou J-6A''' – J-6A aircraft upgraded to carry two PL-2 (''Pi Li'' – Thunderbolt) [[infrared-homing]] air-to-air missiles. The first flight was on 21 December 1975.
* '''J-6W''' - target drone variant,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=John |title=Meet China's new-old killer drones |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/01/08/meet-chinas-new-old-killer-drones/ |website=Foreign Policy |access-date=22 August 2021}}</ref> first reported in 2013.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Yeo |first1=Mike |title=China shows off drones recycled from Soviet-era fighter jets |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2021/10/20/china-shows-off-drones-recycled-from-soviet-era-fighter-jets/ |website=defensenews.com |date=20 October 2021 |publisher=Defense News |access-date=21 October 2021}}</ref>

===Prototype machine (including unfinished)===
* '''Shenyang J-6A''' – (a.k.a. '''Type 59A''', '''Dongfeng-103''', '''Jianjiji-6 Jia''') – Early production from 1958 to 1960 was sub-standard and not accepted by the [[PLAAF]]. Production was halted, the jigs scrapped, and production restarted with assistance from the USSR. The J-6A was equivalent to the MiG-19P. The maiden flight was made by Wang Shuhuai on 17 December 1958. Only around 100 aircraft from this version were produced. It was reported that the J-6A never actually passed the PLAAF's tests. The planes were of little operational value and suffered from quality issues, flight characteristics were much lower than those of the J-6.<ref name = "chinese"/>
* '''Shenyang J-6I''' – Single-seat day-fighter prototype with fixed [[shock cone]] on the intake [[Splitter plate (aeronautics)|splitter plate]].<ref name = "chinese"/>
* '''Shenyang J-6II''' – Single-seat tactical fighter prototype with adjustable shock cone on a raked back intake splitter plate.<ref name = "chinese"/>
* '''Shenyang/Tianjin JJ-6 Testbed''' – [[Ejection seat]] testbed that succeeded [[Ilyushin Il-28|H-5]] ejection seat testbed.<ref name = "chinese"/>
* '''Xian BW-1''' – [[Fly-by-wire]] flying controls test-bed for the [[Xian JH-7]] flying control system.<ref name = "chinese"/>

==Operators==
===Current===
;{{MYA}}
* [[Myanmar Air Force]] – 1 F-6 fighter as of December 2023{{sfn|Hoyle|2023|page=24}}
;{{PRK}}
* [[North Korea Air Force]] – 97 F-6s fighters as of December 2023{{sfn|Hoyle|2023|page=25}}
;{{PAK}}
* [[Pakistan Air Force]] − 9 FT-6 trainers as of December 2023{{sfn|Hoyle|2023|page=26}}
;{{SUD}}
* [[Sudanese Air Force]] – 8 F-6 fighters as of December 2023{{sfn|Hoyle|2023|page=30}}
;{{TAN}}
* [[Tanzanian Air Force]] – 3 F-6 fighters and 1 FT-6 trainer as of December 2023{{sfn|Hoyle|2023|page=31}} 
;{{ZAM}}
* [[Zambian Air Force]] – 8 F-6 fighters and 2 FT-6 trainers as of December 2023{{sfn|Hoyle|2023|page=34}}

===Former===
[[File:PAF Museum Karachi, Pakistan 04.jpg|thumb|Pakistani Shenyang F-6 on display at [[PAF Museum|Karachi Air Museum]]]]
[[File:Shenyang J-6C Albanian Air Force.jpg|thumb|An Albanian Shenyang J-6C in Kucova Airbase.]]
[[File:EgyptF-6(DF-ST-85-03690).jpg|thumb|Egyptian Air Force personnel inspect an Egyptian F-6]]
[[File:Old photo archive of Bangladesh Air Force (14) (cropped).png|thumb|[[Bangladesh Air Force]] F-6 inflight]]

;{{ALB}}
* [[Albanian Air Force]] – 71 F-6 and FT-6 delivered between 1965 and 1971 partly in exchange for MiG-19PMs according to the ''[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] (SIPRI)'', while former Air Force commander Edip Ohri stated that an initial batch of 12 aircraft was received followed by an additional batch of 95 aircraft.<ref name="SIPRI">{{cite web |title=Arms transfer database |url=https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferRegister |website=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=25 May 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|Bytyçi|2022|page=174}} Retired in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Koleka |first1=Benet |title=Albania's graveyard of MiGs to become NATO air base |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1MM1Q2 |access-date=25 May 2024 |work=Reuters |date=12 October 2018}}</ref> As of 2019, some remain in storage<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mizokami |first1=Kyle |title=Albania's Ghost Air Force Is Up for Sale, But It Doesn't Look So Good |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a27008434/albania-underground-air-force-sale-fighter-planes/ |access-date=25 May 2024 |work=Popular Mechanics |date=1 April 2019}}</ref>
;{{BAN}}
* [[Bangladesh Air Force]]
;{{CHN}}
* [[People's Liberation Army Air Force]] – Operated 35 JJ-6 ca. December 2019<ref>{{harvnb|Hoyle and Fafard ''Flight International'' 10–16 December 2019|p=35}}</ref>
* [[People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force]] – Operated 14 JJ-6 ca. December 2019<ref>{{harvnb|Hoyle and Fafard ''Flight International'' 10–16 December 2019|p=36}}</ref>
;{{flag|Democratic Kampuchea}}
* [[Kampuchea Revolutionary Army#Air Force of the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea|Air Force of the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea]] − 6 donated by China in 1978 in response to the [[Cambodian–Vietnamese War]]<ref name="SIPRI" />
;{{EGY}}
* [[Egyptian Air Force]] – 40 delivered by China in exchange for [[MiG-23]]s in 1979. Between 1982 and 1983, a further 50 were delivered. This second batch was assembled in Egypt.<ref name="SIPRI" /> 44 F-6 and FT-6 were in service in 2011{{sfn|Wragg|2011|page=112}}
;{{IRN}}
* [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|Iranian Air Force]] − At least 16 were delivered between 1982 and 1984. According to SIPRI, the total number of aircraft delivered could be 22 or 25<ref name="SIPRI" />
;{{flag|Iraq|1991}}
* [[Iraqi Air Force]] − 40 delivered between 1982 and 1983 through Egypt and Jordan.<ref name="SIPRI" /> Operated an unknown number of aircraft prior to the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]{{sfn|Cordesman|2003|page=24}}
;{{SOM}}
* [[Somali Air Force]] – At least 30 delivered between 1980 and 1981. According to SIPRI, the total number of aircraft delivered could be up to 50.<ref name="SIPRI" /> Somali F-6s were dumped and destroyed in the years following the disintegration of the SAC in 1991<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=110}}</ref>
;{{VNM}}
* [[Vietnam People's Air Force]] – 30 delivered between 1970 and 1972<ref name="SIPRI" />

==Specifications (J-6)==
[[File:F-6 fighter nose detail China Aviation Museum.jpg|thumb|The nose of an F-6, showing the 30 mm cannons fitted in the right wing root and the lower body.]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Chinese aircraft : China's aviation industry since 1951,<ref name="Gordonkom">{{cite book |last1=Gordon |first1=Yefim |last2=Komissarov |first2=Dmitry |title=Chinese aircraft : China's aviation industry since 1951 |url=https://archive.org/details/chineseaircraftc1951gord |url-access=limited |date=2008 |publisher=Hikoki Publications |location=Manchester |isbn=978-1-902109-04-6 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/chineseaircraftc1951gord/page/n16 31]–47 |edition=1st}}</ref> Combat aircraft since 1945<ref name="Wilson">{{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Stewart |title=Combat aircraft since 1945 |date=2000 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Fyshwick |isbn=1-875671-50-1 |page=125}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1 ('''JJ-6''' trainer – 2)
|length m=14.64
|length note=(variants with nose pitot probe)
::::{{cvt|12.54|m}} (variants without nose pitot probe)
|span m=9
|span note=
|height m=3.885
|height note=
|wing area sqm=25.16
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=5172
|empty weight note= to {{cvt|5447|kg}}
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight note=clean
|max takeoff weight kg=7560
|max takeoff weight note=clean
::::{{cvt|8662|kg}} with drop tanks
::::{{cvt|8832|kg}} with drop tanks and rocket pods
|fuel capacity={{cvt|1735|-|1800|kg}} internal
::::{{cvt|2796|kg}} with drop tanks
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Wopen WP-6A]]
|eng1 type=[[afterburning turbojet]] engines
|eng1 lbf=5730
|eng1 note=
|eng1 lbf-ab=7160
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=1540
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=1.3
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=1400
|range note=
|combat range km=640
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=2200
|ferry range note=with drop tanks
|endurance=1 hour 43 minutes clean
::::2 hours 38 minutes with drop tanks
|ceiling m=15800
|ceiling note=at military power
::::{{cvt|17500|-|17900|m}} with full afterburner
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=180
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|900|m}} at full military power
::::{{cvt|515|m}} with full afterburner
* '''Landing run:''' {{cvt|610|m}} with brake parachute
::::{{cvt|890|m}} without brake parachute
<!-- Armament -->
|armament=
* 3x 30 mm [[NR-30]] cannons (70 rounds per gun for wing guns, 55 rounds for fuselage gun)
* Up to 250&nbsp;kg (550 lb) of unguided bombs or rocket pods or [[PL-2]]/[[PL-5]] (Chinese versions of Soviet [[K-13 missile (AA-2 Atoll)|K-13 (NATO AA-2 'Atoll')]] and [[AIM-9]] (for Pakistani F-6s only) air-to-air missiles on 4 underwing [[Aircraft pylon|pylons]]
|guns=
|bombs=
|rockets=
|missiles=
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19]]
* [[Nanchang Q-5]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Dassault Super Mystère]]
* [[North American F-100 Super Sabre]]
|lists=
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last1=Bytyçi |first1=Enver |title=In the Shadows of Albania-China Relations (1960-1978) |date=2022 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-5275-7909-5 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/In_the_Shadows_of_Albania_China_Relation/vy5lEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=mig-19+albania&pg=PA174https://www.google.com.br/books/edition/In_the_Shadows_of_Albania_China_Relation/vy5lEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=mig-19+albania&pg=PA174&printsec=frontcover |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Weinert |first2=Peter |last3=Hinz |first3=Fabian |last4=Lepko |first4=Mark |title=African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe |date=2011 |publisher=Harpia Publishing |location=Houston |isbn=978-0-9825539-8-5}}
* {{Cite report |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |date=7 February 2003 |title=Iraqi Armed Forces on the Edge of War |url=https://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/iraq_edgeofwar%5B1%5D.pdf |publisher=[[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] |access-date=16 July 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209162502/https://www.csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/iraq_edgeofwar[1].pdf|archive-date=9 February 2010 |author1-link=Anthony Cordesman}}
* Gordon, Yefim & Komissarov, Dmitry. ''Chinese Aircraft''. Hikoki Publications. Manchester. 2008. {{ISBN|978-1-902109-04-6}}.
* [[Bill Gunston|Gunston, Bill]]. ''The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995''. London, Osprey. 1995. {{ISBN|1-85532-405-9}}
* {{cite magazine |last1=Hoyle |first1=Craig |last2=Fafard |first2=Antoine |title=World Air Forces Directory |magazine=[[Flight International]] |volume= 196 |issue= 5715 |date=10–16 December 2019 |pages=26–54 |issn=0015-3710 |ref={{harvid|Hoyle and Fafard ''Flight International'' 10–16 December 2019}} }}
* {{cite report |editor1-last=Hoyle |editor1-first=Craig |title=World Air Forces 2024 |date=December 2023 |publisher=Flightglobal Insight |location=London |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881 |access-date=25 May 2024}}
* Taylor, Michael J.H. .  ''Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation''. Studio Editions. London. 1989. {{ISBN|0-517-69186-8}}.
* Toperczer, Istvan. ''MiG-17 and MiG-19 Units of the Vietnam War.'' 2001, Osprey Publishing Limited. {{ISBN|1-84176-162-1}}.
* [[Chuck Yeager|Yeager, Chuck]] and Leo Janos. ''Yeager: An Autobiography''. Page 396 (paperback). New York: Bantam Books, 1986. {{ISBN|0-553-25674-2}}.
* Air Commodore Qadeer Ahmad Hashmi, "Final Salute to F-6", URL: [http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/may/salute.htm Final Salute to F-6] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080326052116/http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/may/salute.htm |date=26 March 2008 }}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121221231409/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_324.shtml]}}
*{{cite book |last1=Wragg |first1=David |title=The World Air Power Guide |date=2011 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn=978-1-84468-784-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s2PNDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Shenyang J-6}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110906122627/http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/j-6-mig-19-fighter-china.htm Shenyang J-6 fighter photo collection and introduction in Chinese]

{{MiG-15 family}}
{{AVIC Aero Products}}
{{PRC fighters}}
{{PRC trainers}}
{{PLAAF Aircraft}}
{{Chinese Military Aircraft}}

[[Category:China–Soviet Union relations]]
[[Category:1950s Chinese fighter aircraft|J-06, Shenyang]]
[[Category:1950s Chinese military trainer aircraft|JJ-06]]
[[Category:Shenyang aircraft|J-6]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Twinjets]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1959]]
[[Category:Second-generation jet fighters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]