The Harbin Z-5 (Zhishengji – helicopter) is a Chinese variant of the Soviet Mil Mi-4 piston powered helicopter. Before its discontinuation from service, it was produced in Harbin, China.
| Harbin Z-5 | |
|---|---|
 Harbin Z-5 holding a hover | |
| General information | |
| Type | Transport helicopter/Utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation |
| Designer | |
| Status | In limited service with the Korean People's Air Force |
| Primary user | China (historical) |
| Number built | 558 |
| History | |
| First flight | 14 December 1958 |
| Developed from | Mil Mi-4 |
| Variants | Harbin/CHDRI Z-6 |
History
editThe Soviets provided China with Mi-4 blueprints just a few years before the Sino-Soviet split in 1958; maiden flight was in 1958 and mass production started in the mid-1960s. China has produced a number of unique variants through this model, and the Z-5 was employed by the PLA, PLAAF and PLANAF in large numbers as reserve forces. A total of 558 Z-5 were built. A few Z-5 helicopters were modified to carry machine-guns and rocket pods.[1]
During the Chinese-Western rapprochement, one Z-5 was refitted with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-6 "Twin Pac" turbo-shaft engine in 1979. Some sources refer to this as the Z-6, but this variant was discontinued after its first model.[2]
Variants
edit- 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 chemical 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.
Operators
editCurrent
edit
- Korean People's Army Air Force[3] − 48 Mi-4s and Z-5s as of 2024[4]
Former
edit
- Albanian Air Force − 37 Z-5s received from China between 1967 and 1971 to replace Soviet-built Mi-4s in service. By 2010, they were replaced with Bell 205, Bell 206, AgustaWestland AW109, and MBB Bo 105 helicopters[5][6]
- People's Liberation Army Air Force − Operated 350 Z-5s and Z-6s in 2010[7]
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force[8]
- People's Liberation Navy[9] − Operated at least six Z-5s in 2010[10]
- National Army of Democratic Kampuchea[11] − Status unknown after 1990s
Specifications (Z-5)
editData from Chinese Aircraft[12]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Capacity: 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) normal payload, 1,550 kg (3,417 lb) maximum internal payload, 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) maximum slung payload.
- Length: 25.017 m (82 ft 1 in) including main rotor and tail rotor
- Height: 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 7,600 kg (16,755 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Dongan HS-7 14-cylinder, two-row, air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,250 kW (1,680 hp)
- Main rotor diameter: 21 m (68 ft 11 in)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 210 km/h (130 mph, 110 kn)
- Ferry range: 780 km (480 mi, 420 nmi) with external fuel tanks
See also
edit
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
edit- ^ "AirForceWorld.com Z5 Helicopter Armed Version". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ Source: www.vectorsite.net by Greg Goebel (public domain)
- ^ "Portfolio: Democratic People's Republic of Korea Air Force". .acig.org. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
- ^ IISS 2024, p. 284.
- ^ "Arms transfer database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Wragg 2011, p. 50.
- ^ Wragg 2011, p. 93.
- ^ Helicopters: An Illustrated History Of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO. 2005. ISBN 9781851094684.
- ^ People's Liberation Army Navy: Combat System Technology, 1949–2010. Naval Institute Press. 2011. ISBN 9781612510323.
- ^ Wragg 2011, p. 94.
- ^ Gunston, An Illustrated Guide to Military Helicopters (1981), p. 112.
- ^ Gordon, Yefim; Dmitry Komissarov (2008). Chinese Aircraft. Manchester: Hikoki Publications. pp. 263–266. ISBN 9-781902-109046.
Bibliography
edit- Bill Gunston, An Illustrated Guide to Military Helicopters, Salamander Books Ltd, London 1981. ISBN 978-0861011100
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (13 February 2024). "Chapter Five: Asia". The Military Balance. 124 (1): 218–327. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593. ISSN 0459-7222. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- Wragg, David (2011). The World Air Power Guide. Casemate Publishers. ISBN 978-1-84468-784-8.