Biplane Y-5 - Chinese copy of the Soviet An-2
After the formation of the People's Republic of China, the Soviet Union provided very substantial assistance in building up Chinese industry and training national personnel. At the same time, full-scale samples and technical documentation necessary for the independent production of weapons and equipment were transferred to China.
Active Soviet-Chinese defense cooperation continued until the early 1960s, thanks to which the foundations of the military-industrial complex were laid in the PRC, and the modern weapon.
Production of Y-5 aircraft in the 1950s–1970s
In 1948, the serial production of the An-2 multi-purpose biplane began in the USSR. Although this aircraft, which appeared at the beginning of the "jet era", did not have high speed and flight range, it could be operated from unpaved areas of limited length and was suitable for solving a wide variety of tasks. Versatility, reliability and simplicity of design provided the An-2 with enviable longevity. In addition to the USSR, cars of this type were produced under license in Poland and China.
The An-2 braced biplane with a single-column wing box, depending on the modification and purpose, had a crew of 1-3 people. It could carry a payload of 1 kg or up to 500 people in the passenger version. As a power plant, an ASh-12IR air-cooled carburetor engine with a take-off power of 62 hp was used. With. (rated power 1 hp), rotating a four-bladed propeller with a diameter of 000 m.
The length of the aircraft is 12,4 m, the span of the upper wing is 18,17 m. The maximum take-off weight is 5 kg. Maximum speed - 250 km / h, cruising - 256 km / h. Practical ceiling - 160 m. Practical range - 4 km. With a maximum load, the take-off run is 200 m. The length of the run is 990 m.
In the 1950s, the PLA Air Force needed a light transport and passenger aircraft, and after getting acquainted with the An-2, the Chinese command decided that it suited them perfectly. At that time, there were not many major runways in the PRC, and the corn grower could freely be based on poorly prepared sites with a runway 300 m long. In addition, the An-2 was very easy to pilot and maintain, and preparation for a re-flight did not take a lot of time.
One of the first Y-5s
In the People's Republic of China, this machine was originally designated "Fengshou-2", and then Y-5 (运-5, Yunshu-5 or Yun-5). Serial construction was launched at Plant No. 320 in Nanchang (now Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation - NAMC, Nanhang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation), where, in parallel with the Y-5 biplane, training aircraft CJ-5 (Chinese version of the Yak-18) were serially built . The ASh-62IR engine under the designation HS-5 is manufactured in China at the aircraft engine plant in Suzhou.
It is known that by 1986 more than 2 of these motors were produced. The first Chinese maize took off in March 600, after which mass production began.
Until the end of 1958, the customer received 229 aircraft. In total, the Nanchang Aviation Plant produced 1958 Y-1968 biplanes from 727 to 5.
In Nanchang, Y-5A transport and passenger aircraft were built, corresponding to the Soviet An-2T, agricultural Y-5II (sometimes referred to as Y-5B), amphibious hydroplanes Y-5C - also capable of landing on land, training Y-5D - for training crews of bombers and military transport aircraft.
Aircraft Y-5C
Subsequently, part of the Y-5D was converted into 5-7-seat aircraft of improved comfort, designed to carry especially important passengers: party functionaries, diplomats and high-ranking military men. The PRC government presented such aircraft to the North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh and the King of Nepal.
In connection with the development of the production of Q-5 jet attack aircraft in Nanchang, they tried to establish the production of multi-purpose piston biplanes in Harbin. But the Harbin Aircraft Plant, which was hit hard by economic difficulties and a general decline in industrial production caused by the Cultural Revolution, hardly supported the production of Z-5 helicopters (a copy of the Mi-4) and H-5 jet bombers (a copy of the Il-28). In this regard, the construction of the Y-5 aircraft in May 1970 was transferred to the Shijiazhuang Aircraft Plant No. 522 (now part of the HAIG industrial group - Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation).
Late modifications of Chinese Y-5 biplanes
At the first stage, the Chinese An-2s being built in Shijiazhuang practically did not differ from the Soviet prototype. But later, new modifications appeared. So, by 1980, several machines were produced in the version of electronic intelligence and electronic warfare.
An electronic reconnaissance aircraft recorded the coordinates of the decimeter and centimeter frequency radar stations, and another aircraft with high-frequency generators interfered with them. However, the military quickly became disillusioned with such a duet. The generated power of the jamming transmitters was small, and the limited internal volume did not allow placing the required amount of electronic intelligence equipment.
In addition, the range and flight speed of the biplane were clearly not sufficient in the event of a confrontation with a technologically advanced enemy with supersonic fighters.
Beginning in 1987, the factory design bureau of plant No. 522 began work on the phased modernization of the aging biplane, taking into account operating experience. For flights in subtropical regions, the thermal insulation of the engine from the cockpit was improved and additional ventilation was introduced. Introduced additional anti-corrosion treatment of metal parts. Pilots have new instruments, means of communication and navigation at their disposal.
The aircraft, upgraded by the factory design bureau, received the designation Shijiazhuang Y-5B. Serial production of this version began in 1996. The Shijiazhuang Aircraft Plant produced more than 380 modified copies of the An-2, and in total, by the end of 2002, about 1 aircraft of the Y-100 family were built in the PRC.
In connection with the cessation of production of HS-5 engines in China, Polish-made ASz-5IR engines have been installed on Y-1990B aircraft since the mid-62s.
Agricultural aircraft Y-5В(К)
Based on the Shijiazhuang Y-5B, several different specialized variants were produced, including aircraft for aerial photography, luxury cars for foreign tourists, transport and passenger aircraft with the ability to quickly convert into an agricultural version, a parachuting aircraft and a number of others.
In the early 1990s, the cost to build a Y-5 biplane was about 300 yuan. In the 000st century, the output of Y-5B in the PRC decreased, and 20–25 aircraft were produced annually.
Thanks to the possibility of installing an additional fuel tank, the practical flight range of the upgraded Shijiazhuang Y-5B has increased to 1 km. The introduction of a new propeller slightly increased the rate of climb and reduced the takeoff run.
The Shijiazhuang Y-5B-100 aircraft received modern avionics, satellite navigation with an electronic map and an obstacle warning system when flying in poor visibility conditions.
Y-5B-100
The most notable difference introduced by this modification was the feather-like tips of the upper wing. According to Chinese sources, thanks to the introduction of this innovation, controllability at low speeds has improved, fuel efficiency has increased, and the takeoff run has been reduced by 20%. The standard takeoff distance for the Y-5B-100 is only 170m, while the takeoff distance for an unladen aircraft is 105m.
In November 2018, at the China Airshow 2018 aerospace exhibition in Zhuhai, the Chinese corporation AVIC presented a new remotorized version of the Chinese An-2.
Turboprop aircraft Y-5BG
The new modification, designated Y-5BG, is equipped with an American Honeywell TPE331-12UAN turboprop engine with a capacity of 1 hp. With. and the Garmin G100TXI digital avionics complex.
Unfortunately, reliable information about the flight data of the Y-5BG could not be found. But by analogy with the An-3 turboprop, on which the TVD-20 with a capacity of 1 hp was installed. With. with a three-bladed reversible propeller with a diameter of 375 m, it can be assumed that the maximum flight speed of the Y-3,6BG does not exceed 5 km / h, and cruising - about 250 km / h. Load capacity - no more than 220 kg. The practical flight range is up to 1 km.
At an international exhibition aviation general purpose, held in mid-October 2019 in the city of Shijiazhuang, a preliminary agreement was signed between Tupolev PJSC and AVIC Corporation on the supply of ten Y-5B light multi-purpose aircraft (possibly upgraded Y-5BG) to an unnamed operator from the Ural region of the Russian Federation.
As written in the Chinese media, these aircraft are planned to be used in the interests of agriculture and to prevent forest fires. The upgraded biplanes produced in China were planned to be delivered to Russia in two batches.
Y-5 aircraft service
Since the beginning of the 1960s, Y-5 aircraft of various modifications have been very actively used in the PLA Air Force, army and naval aviation, as well as in the national economy of the PRC. In addition to the training of paratroopers, the delivery of personnel and cargo, low-speed biplanes were used to patrol hard-to-reach border areas and the sea. Several Y-5s were used to film Chinese nuclear tests and various missile launches. To probe the atmosphere at high altitude, at least one biplane was equipped with a turbocharger and oxygen equipment.
Chinese copies of the An-2, along with the original Soviet-made aircraft, were used by North Vietnam for the transfer to field runways erected near the line of contact, ammunition and medicines. The Vietnamese tried to use several vehicles armed with machine guns and unguided rockets against ground targets and American combat river boats operating in the Mekong Delta.
During the armed conflict between Vietnam and China in February-March 1979, the same type of Y-5, belonging to the PLA and VNA, took out the wounded from the combat zone, urgently delivered various supplies and command personnel.
As new light transport and passenger aircraft and helicopters appeared in the PRC, the role of Y-5 biplanes in military transport decreased. Nevertheless, aircraft of this type are still used by the Chinese armed forces.
Satellite image of Google Earth: Y-5B aircraft at Xinchen Air Base in Liaoling Province
According to reference data, the PLA Air Force transport aviation has about 90 Y-5B aircraft, which are operated in the interests of the airborne troops and in search and rescue and transport units. The Chinese navy is using three dozen biplanes to search and rescue those in distress off the coast.
In the last decade, several dozen Y-5Bs, which have a significant resource, have been handed over to civilian users by the Chinese military. These vehicles have retained their camouflage colors, but have different markings and numbers.
In Chinese civil aviation, Y-5s are still very active. These machines fly in the sparsely populated desert and mountainous parts of China, they carry passengers, cargo and provide postal communication.
In the past, the maize was the main agricultural aircraft of the PRC. But now in this field in China, more economical aircraft and drones.
A significant part of the biplanes produced at Chinese factories was exported to China-friendly countries in Asia and Africa. In Europe, the only official recipient of the Y-5 aircraft was Albania.
Aircraft Y-5 Albanian Air Force
North Korea received the most machines of this type (up to 150 units). According to foreign expert estimates, up to 200 An-2 and Y-5 aircraft can currently be stored and in operation in the DPRK. Most likely, much more recent Y-5s remained in flight condition.
Satellite image of Google Earth: North Korean An-2 / Y-5 aircraft at Sondok airbase, the image was taken in early 2022
Slow-moving North Korean aircraft, painted black, were used to transfer saboteurs to South Korea at night. They could fly low and slow enough to be undetected. Currently, one of these biplanes, captured by South Korean security forces, is on display at a military museum in the suburbs of Seoul.
Part of the biplanes in the DPRK were armed with missiles. Not so long ago, a report from military exercises was shown on North Korean television, where, among other things, NARs were launched from these aircraft at ground targets.
Unmanned aerial vehicles based on the Y-5
It is known that several types of UAVs for various purposes have been created in China based on the Y-5. The first radio-controlled aircraft of this type were prepared to take samples from the cloud of a nuclear explosion. Also, biplanes of the early series, after the development of an operational resource, were converted into radio-controlled targets used in the process of combat training of air defense forces.
The most famous UAV was the FH-98 (Feihong 98), converted from a manned Y-5B. This drone, developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Group, made its first flight in 2018. After that, several overhauled aircraft built in the second half of the 1990s were converted into remotely piloted vehicles.
UAV FH-98
The FH-98 UAV was developed in the interests of the military and was tested by the PLA. To control the cargo drone, a ground station was used, originally designed to control other Chinese reconnaissance and strike drones. drones. During a demonstration flight, a cargo container was dropped from an unmanned biplane on a parachute to a given point.
The main purpose of the FH-98 UAV is to deliver cargo to areas where the likelihood is too high that a manned transport aircraft or helicopter will be shot down by the enemy. In addition, the drone can also be used to drop large-caliber aviation ammunition, lay mines, and also as a decoy to open air defense positions.
However, civilian use of this unmanned vehicle is also possible. According to the press service of the large transport holding SF Express (the second largest Chinese cargo delivery holding), on August 21, 2020, the FH-98 UAV made its first commercial flight, delivering cargo to Baotou Airport (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region).
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