State-owned State-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) unveiled a 1:10 scale model of the future Russian-Chinese wide-body aircraft, known as C929, at Airshow China 2016 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.

This is the first time the Chinese manufacturer is showcasing a physical model of its planned twin-aisle project with Russia's United Aircraft Corp. (UAC).

Painting both COMAC and UAC's logos on its front fuselage, the model features a red-and-blue livery across its fuselage and tail. The red resembles the Chinese flag, with two yellow stars on it.

The basic model of the jet will have 280 seats in three classes, with a range of 12,000km.

COMAC and UAC have signed an agreement to set up a joint venture under a program to build a wide-body civil aircraft during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China on June 25, 2016, marks the beginning of the aircraft design and the creation of a Russian-Chinese joint venture in charge of carrying out the production of the aircraft.

The joint venture will be officially launched in Shanghai within the year, the Chinese airframer said in a press conference on November 2, which will collaborate on the development, production and after-sales support of a wide-body airliner.

COMAC added the C929 plane will undergo 7 years for its first test flight and 10 years for delivery. It expects the C929 to take its first flight in 2023 and entry into service three years later.

It has also decided that final assembly will be in Shanghai, near the C919 assembly line.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, UAC president Yuri Slyusar said both parties would invest a total of US$13-20 billion on the project.

Related News:

    Russia, China Sign JV Agreement to Create Wide-Body Aircraft