Harbin Z-5

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. China also exported a number of Z-5 to client states. About 545 were built. A few Z-5 helicopters were modified to carry machine-guns and rocket pods.

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.

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

 * Albanian Air Force
 * Korean People's Army Air Force
 * People's Liberation Army Air Force
 * People's Liberation Army Ground Force
 * People's Liberation Navy
 * People's Liberation Army Air Force
 * People's Liberation Army Ground Force
 * People's Liberation Navy