Huang Zhiqian

Huang Zhiqian (Chinese: 黄志千; Wade–Giles: Huang Chih-ch'ien; 24 January 1914 – 20 May 1965) was a Chinese aircraft designer. He served as Chief Designer of the Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute and was in charge of designing the Shenyang J-8, China's first high-speed, high-altitude interceptor fighter jet. Before the project was completed, he died in the Pakistan International Airlines Flight 705 crash in Cairo, Egypt, in 1965.

Early life

Huang was born Huang Yongxun (黄永埙) on 24 January 1914 in

Huang returned to China in June 1949, near the end of the

In August 1956, the Aviation Industry Bureau established the PRC's first airplane design office in Shenyang, with Xu Shunshou as director and Huang Zhiqian and Ye Zhengda as deputy directors.^[3] They led the design of the jet trainer, Shenyang JJ-1. The plane took its first flight on 26 July 1958, which marked a new era of China's aviation industry.^[4] He then participated in the design of the Nanchang CJ-6 and the Nanchang Q-5 aircraft.^[3]

In August 1961, China established its first research institute for aircraft design, the Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute (code name 601 Institute), and Huang was named its chief designer.^[3] In October 1964, the Chinese government decided to design and build its first high-speed, high-altitude interceptor fighter jet, later named the Shenyang J-8. Huang was appointed its chief designer, with Gu Songfen serving as his deputy.^[4]

Death

On 20 May 1965, Huang took the Pakistan International Airlines Flight 705 for a business trip to Western Europe. He died when the plane crashed in Cairo, Egypt, aged 51.^[1][3][5] He was later recognized by the Central Military Commission as a "martyr".^[3] After his death, Gu Songfen took charge of the J-8 project, and the jet took its maiden flight on 5 July 1969.^[4]

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