Harbin Z-5


The Harbin Z-5 is a Chinese variant of the Soviet Mil Mi-4 piston powered helicopter. Before its discontinuation from service, it was produced in Harbin, China. 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.
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.

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

; Khmer Rouge