# Harbin Z-5

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.
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

The text in parentheses is used for distinction.

### Z-5(Z-5A)

    Military transport helicopter.In terms of the original aircraft, it is equivalent to the Mi-4.

### Z-5(Z-5B) 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.In terms of the original aircraft, it is equivalent to the Mi-4A.

### Z-5(Z-5C) Xuanfeng

    Civil transport helicopter.In terms of the original aircraft, it corresponds to the Mi-4P.

### Z-5 VIP(Z-5D) helicopter

    VIP versions distinguishable by larger rectangular windows in the cabin.In terms of the original aircraft, it is equivalent to the Mi-4S.

### Z-5(Z-5E) agricultural helicopter

    Some Z-5s were fitted with chemical hoppers and/or spray gear for agricultural or forestry protection use.In terms of the original aircraft, it is equivalent to the Mi-4Skh.

### Z-5 SAR(Z-5F) helicopter

    Thirteen z-5s are known to have been converted to SAR helicopters with a winch and external fuel tanks.In terms of the original aircraft, it is equivalent to the Mi-4MO.

### Harbin/CHDRI Z-6

    A turboshaft variant of the Z-5, eleven aircraft built.

## Operators
### Current
#### North Korea

* Korean People's Army Air Force − 48 Mi-4s and Z-5s as of 2024

### Former
#### Albania

* Albanian Air Force − 37 Z-5(31 Z-5A, 6 Z-5D)s 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

#### China

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

#### Khmer Rouge

* National Army of Democratic Kampuchea − Status unknown after 1990s

## Specifications (Z-5)

Data from Chinese Aircraft
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