Harbin Z-5 Explained

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.

History

The 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

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

Current

• Korean People's Army Air Force^[3] − 48 Mi-4s and Z-5s as of 2024

Former

• 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^[4]

• People's Liberation Army Air Force − Operated 350 Z-5s and Z-6s in 2010
• People's Liberation Army Ground Force^[5]
• People's Liberation Navy^[6] − Operated at least six Z-5s in 2010

Khmer Rouge

• National Army of Democratic Kampuchea^[7] − Status unknown after 1990s

Bibliography

• Bill Gunston, An Illustrated Guide to Military Helicopters, Salamander Books Ltd, London 1981.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies . Chapter Five: Asia . The Military Balance . 13 February 2024 . 124 . 1 . 218–327 . 10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593 . 20 July 2024 . en . 0459-7222 . . International Institute for Strategic Studies .
• Book: Wragg . David . The World Air Power Guide . 2011 . Casemate Publishers . 978-1-84468-784-8 . en.

Notes and References

1. Web site: AirForceWorld.com Z5 Helicopter Armed Version . AirForceWorld.com . 30 May 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110304003920/http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/z5-helicopter-china.htm . 4 March 2011 .
2. Source: www.vectorsite.net by Greg Goebel (public domain)
3. Web site: Portfolio: Democratic People's Republic of Korea Air Force . .acig.org . 17 February 2013.
4. Web site: Arms transfer database . Stockholm International Peace Research Institute . 20 July 2024.
5. Book: Helicopters: An Illustrated History Of Their Impact . ABC-CLIO . 9781851094684 . 2005 .
6. Book: People's Liberation Army Navy: Combat System Technology, 1949–2010 . Naval Institute Press.. 9781612510323 . 2011 .
7. Gunston, An Illustrated Guide to Military Helicopters (1981), p. 112.