Those so-called proofs were the invention of the CD forum, and I have nothing to contribute my opinion on this at all.
Sorry, but this logic I do not understand !??
How could be a physical evidence like external and internal details be only an "invention" but such a report without any substantial evidence be a proof !????
I agree that the question is not fully solved but for me it's simply a matter of "what's the most likely option":
All AL-31F and FN either installed in Flankers or the J-10A/AS have the same details - these are the number of pedals, they have the same inner flame-holder, they are even the dimensions of different segments on the afterburner ... and the same sound.
Also all WS-10A and the so far single B either installed in Flankers or the single J-10B '05' prototype have the same details - these are the number of pedals, they have the same inner flame-holder, they are even the dimensions of different segments on the afterburner ... and the same sound.
... but they are completely different to al AL-31 !
Now we have that strange-looking engine on the J-20 with a much more silversish colour, sawtooth details, etc. but if You compare the details it is much more common to an AL-31FN - in certain things even exactly the same - but they do not match in any detail with a WS-10 .... As such I do not have the slightest doubt that this strange engine is an AL-31FN regardless other reports and wishfull thinking.
The WS-10 engine now has more thrust than the AL-31 engine, that's true.
But the AL-31 engine has the lower bypass ratio.
The new Chinese engine is trying to become lower in the bypass ratio as well.
That's why the sound has become more similar to the AL-31 engine family.
The CDers have fabricated a bunch of bogus claims as the proofs.
First they claimed that the engine with the blue flame must be the AL-31 engine, then it has been debunked as both American engine and Chinese engine can also produce the blue flame, since any engine can produce the blue flames when it has fully efficient combustion.
Now they are claiming that the noise sounds like the AL-31 engine, but the fact is that the new Chinese engine has been made with the lower bypass ratio, that's why the sound has become more AL-31 ish, that's all.
To admit that's all irrelevant, especially since the dimensions are so close to each other that sound is much more related to the number of compressor stages, the inner temperature, the fuel-air-fraction, the number of revolutions/second (not sure how You call this exactly) but surely not the bypass ratio.
I agree with You that "CDers have fabricated a bunch of bogus claims as the proofs" but otherwise for the WS-15 there are also nearly as much "bogus claims as the proofs" and in the end a physical detail like the ones I explained cannot be "bunch of bogus claims", it's simply logic.
Deino
His analyst and thought about China Military is good, just like Jeff Head. I learn a lot from just reading his posts there.
