Summary
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 | |
| Role | Transport helicopter/Utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation |
| Designer | Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant |
| First flight | 14 December 1958 |
| Status | Retired from active service |
| Primary user | China |
| Number built | 558 |
| Developed from | Mil Mi-4 |
| Variants | Harbin/CHDRI Z-6 |
History edit
The USSR 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 edit
- Albanian Air Force[3][4] - all 40 retired
- National Army of Democratic Kampuchea[6] Status unknown after 1990s.
Specifications (Z-5) edit
Data from Chinese Aircraft[10]
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)
- ^ "Albania Air Force Unit History". aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
- ^ "Albanian Harbin-Z-5". Demand media. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
- ^ "Portfolio: Democratic People's Republic of Korea Air Force". .acig.org. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
- ^ Gunston, An Illustrated Guide to Military Helicopters (1981), p. 112.
- ^ "Harbin Z-5". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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