Z-8 and Z-18 transport helicopter - family & versions

TerraN_EmpirE

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Bltizo said:
weird that those two Z-18s/8s seem to have elements of older Z-8s (boat like hull, front air intakes)
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Those boat like hulls are just that. The PLAN probably likes to have the ability to water land intentionally if needed.
Deino said:
I would like to know, why that strange hump??
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If you are talking about the box like structure along the spine.
Z18 Z8 and the original Super Frelon are triple engine helicopters. It seems like it might be a system to direct some of the exhaust from the third engine out into the rotor. And away from the sea.
 
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gelgoog

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
Since the UK seems to want to sell China radar technology, perhaps the Chinese could try to buy some Merlin helicopters? Couldn't hurt to ask.
It is also a triple engine and it is much more recent than the Super Frelon. I mean, sure the Chinese upgraded the heck out of the helicopter but still I kinda doubt it's got decent engine performance. Also FWIW I think a triple engine is too much to use in a regular frigate or cruiser. Sure it's fine for the LPD ships or the carriers. But it's just overkill in those other applications.
 
Deino

Deino

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Staff member
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gelgoog said:
Since the UK seems to want to sell China radar technology, perhaps the Chinese could try to buy some Merlin helicopters? Couldn't hurt to ask.
It is also a triple engine and it is much more recent than the Super Frelon. I mean, sure the Chinese upgraded the heck out of the helicopter but still I kinda doubt it's got decent engine performance. Also FWIW I think a triple engine is too much to use in a regular frigate or cruiser. Sure it's fine for the LPD ships or the carriers. But it's just overkill in those other applications.
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Why buying a new system if they already have the new Z-18/Z-8G??
 
siegecrossbow

siegecrossbow

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Z-8K photographed at Shandong province.

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superdog

superdog

Junior Member
montyp165 said:
It may be worthwhile to purchase a few for VIP/liason work for operational comparison if nothing else.
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China has been operating a number of AS332 and/or S92 in military (non-combat), government, and civilian services. I think if they are looking for additional units of the same weight class, they will hardly find the need to introduce a third platform.

For combat related roles, I'd imagine that self-reliance is becoming a hard requirement.
 
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gelgoog

Lieutenant General
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superdog said:
China has been operating a number of AS332 and/or S92 in military (non-combat), government, and civilian services. I think if they are looking for additional units of the same weight class, they will hardly find the need to introduce a third platform.

For combat related roles, I'd imagine that self-reliance is becoming a hard requirement.
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The Merlin is a triple engine aircraft with a lot more power. Also with regards to the AC313 I'm afraid the expression "there's only so much you can do to polish a turd" might apply there. Not that the Merlin is perfect but there are not that many triple engine helicopter designs available on the market to study. Another helicopter that would also be available for purchase would be the Mi-38. Even though it has less engine power. It is only twin engine.

Also China eventually needs that much larger helicopter class (i.e. something like the Chinook or the CH-53K). But there are supposedly moves to develop something like that with the Russians already I think.
 
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TerraN_EmpirE

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Don't think of the AC313 as simply an improved Z8, because you would be missing the point.
It's a new product with retro styling. Like the Boeing 747-8 is not so much a 747 as a scailed up 787 with 4 engines.
The number of changes and amount of redesigned means that AC313 and Z18 only look like the old Z8.
Under the skin they are a new machine.
 
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