| Harbin Z-5 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Transport helicopter/Utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation |
| Designer | Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant |
| Status | Retired from active service |
| Primary user | China |
| Number built | 545[1] |
| Developed from | Mil Mi-4 |
| Variants | Harbin/CHDRI Z-6 |
The Harbin Z-5 (Zhishengji - helicopter) is a Chinese copy of the Soviet Mil Mi-4 piston engined helicopter. It was produced in the city of Harbin, China. The USSR provided China with blueprints in 1958, a few years before the Sino-Soviet split. The first flight was in 1959, but serial production was delayed and did not start until the mid-1960s. China has produced a number of unique variants, and the Z-5 was in use with the PLA, PLAAF and PLANAF in large numbers, although it might still be in reserve.[2] China also exported a number of Z-5 to client states. About 545 were built.[1] A few Z-5 helicopters were modified to carry machine-guns and rocket pods.[3]
One Z-5 was reengined with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-6 "Twin Pac" turboshaft in 1979, during the Chinese-Western rapprochement. Some sources refer to this as the Z-6, but the experiment went no further.[4]
Variants[]
- Z-5
- Military transport helicopter.
- Z-5 assault helicopter
- Some Z-5 were converted to carry rocket pods on outriggers in addition to a gondola with a forward firing machine gun manned by the Flight engineer.
- Z-5 Xuanfeng
- Civil transport helicopter.
- Z-5 VIP helicopter
- VIP versions distinguishable by larger rectangular windows in the cabin.
- Z-5 agricultural helicopter
- Some Z-5s were fitted with chemicla hoppers and/or spray gear for agricultural or forestry protection use.
- Z-5 SAR helicopter
- Thirteen z-5s are known to have been converted to SAR helicopters with a winch and external fuel tanks.
- Harbin/CHDRI Z-6
- A turboshaft variant of the Z-5, eleven aircraft built.
Military Operators[]
Albania
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
People's Republic of China
- People's Liberation Army Air Force [8]
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force [9]
- People's Liberation Navy [10]
Specifications (Z-5)[]
Data from Chinese Aircraft[11]
See also[]
References[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harbin aircraft. |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Source: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mi-4.htm
- ↑ Source: http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/aircraft.asp
- ↑ "AirForceWorld.com Z5 Helicopter Armed Version". AirForceWorld.com. http://airforceworld.com/pla/z5-helicopter-china.htm. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ↑ Source: www.vectorsite.net by Greg Goebel (public domain)
- ↑ "Albania Air Force Unit History". aeroflight.co.uk. http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/albania/af/units/4040.htm. Retrieved 17-February-2013.
- ↑ "Albanian Harbin-Z-5". Demand media. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Harbin-Z-5/1132966/L/&sid=40f825d22f16f6db36e462a465df13a9. Retrieved 17-February-2013.
- ↑ "Portfolio: Democratic People's Republic of Korea Air Force". .acig.org. http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_178.shtml. Retrieved 17-February-2013.
- ↑ "Harbin Z-5". globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/z-5.htm. Retrieved 17-February-2013.
- ↑ Helicopters: An Illustrated History Of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO. http://books.google.com/books?id=xLis8p7uLaUC&pg=PA90&lpg=PA90&dq=Z-5+helicopter+China+Army&source=bl&ots=5Cwr8MtOg0&sig=rZuTMC7q6lnyClHukY3bJEXWxGg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=10smUcr6H-PrigLM6IDAAw&ved=0CFMQ6AEwBA. Retrieved 21-February-2013.
- ↑ People's Liberation Army Navy: Combat System Technology, 1949-2010. Naval Institute Press.. http://books.google.com/books?id=ERwSQC8r868C&pg=PT142&lpg=PT142&dq=Z-5+helicopter+China+Navy&source=bl&ots=flP9NRm6Qd&sig=YyEQU5EVjyyfePm5lABfHW8Qu-w&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hEsmUYDQGefLigKmgoHAAw&ved=0CEsQ6AEwAzgU. Retrieved 20-February-2013.
- ↑ Gordon, Yefim; Dmitry Komissarov (2008). Chinese Aircraft. Manchester: Hikoki Publications. pp. 263–266. ISBN 9 781902 109046.
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