Nanchang Q-5

Nanchang Q-5
Country	People’s Republic of China
Role	Ground-attack aircraft
First flight	10 June 1965
Built	1300+

The Nanchang Q-5 (Chinese: 强-5; pinyin: Qiang-5; NATO reporting name: Fantan), also known as the A-5 in its export versions, is a Chinese-built single seat, twin jet engine ground-attack aircraft based on the Soviet MiG-19. However, the aircraft is primarily used for close air support.

Source: Nanchang Q-5 on Wikipedia

Nachang A-5 Fantan Walk Around
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Localisation	Unknow
Photos	40

Nachang A-5 Fantan 02

Nachang A-5 Fantan 01

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Nachang A-5 Fantan 09

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Nachang A-5 Fantan Walk Around
Photographer	Howard Mason
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	38

Nachang A-5 Fantan

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General Characteristics

The Nanchang Q-5 (Qiang-5, or Attack Aircraft 5), known as the A-5 in export versions, with the NATO reporting name: Flounder, is a Chinese single-seat, twin-engine ground-attack aircraft. Developed in the 1960s, it is derived from the Soviet MiG-19 (Chinese designation Shenyang J-6), but features a redesigned, longer fuselage to incorporate an internal weapons bay and side-mounted air intakes, allowing for a pointed nose. The aircraft was designed primarily for close air support and air interdiction roles, with later variants (like the Q-5A) having the capability to deliver tactical nuclear weapons. It has been a key component of the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) and Naval Air Force (PLANAF) and was widely exported.

Property	Typical Value (Q-5/A-5 Variants)
Role	Ground Attack / Close Air Support (CAS)
National Origin	China (PRC)
Manufacturer	Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company
First Flight	June 4, 1965
Service Entry	1970
No. Built	Approx. 1,000 to 1,300
Crew	1 (Pilot)
Length (Q-5I/A-5C)	15.65 m (51 ft 4 in)
Wingspan	9.68 m (31 ft 9 in)
Max Takeoff Weight	11,830 kg (26,080 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engine: 2 x Shenyang WP-6 afterburning turbojet engines (Chinese license-built version of the Tumansky R-9).
Max Thrust (per engine, w/ afterburner): ~36.78 kN (8,267 lbf).
Maximum Speed: Mach 1.12 (Approx. 1,210 km/h or 752 mph).
Service Ceiling: 16,000 m (52,500 ft).
Combat Radius (Lo-Lo-Lo): Approx. 400 km (215 nmi).
Ferry Range: 2,000 km (1,080 nmi).
Rate of Climb: 103 m/s (20,300 ft/min).

Armament and Avionics

Internal Gun: 2 x 23 mm Norinco Type 23-2K cannons (100 rounds per gun), mounted in the wing roots.
Hardpoints: 10 total (4 under-fuselage, 6 under-wing) with a max external capacity of 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).
Ordnance:
- Bombs: Free-fall bombs (50 kg to 500 kg), cluster bombs, and later, laser-guided bombs (LGBs) via targeting pods (Q-5E/L).
- Rockets: 57 mm, 90 mm, and 130 mm unguided rocket pods.
- Missiles: PL-2, PL-5, PL-7 (Air-to-Air); C-801 (Anti-Ship, for naval variants); and export variants (A-5C) could carry Western AIM-9 Sidewinder or Matra R.550 Magic AAMs.
- Special Munitions: Q-5A variant was configured to carry a single tactical nuclear bomb.
Avionics: The original Q-5 featured basic 1960s navigation and attack systems. Later export and upgraded domestic versions (A-5C, Q-5II/D/E/L) received significant updates, including:
- Laser Rangefinder (nose-mounted).
- Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and chaff/flare dispensers.
- Head-Up Display (HUD) and modern Western INS/GPS in export/modernized variants.