Avicopter AC313 medium-lift helicopter

[Stratofreighter]

...…is actually not much more than a civilian development of the Z-8 helicopter, a Chinese close development of the French SA 321 Super Frelon helicopter…
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... opter.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

DATE:09/02/10

SOURCE:Flight International

China poised to fly AC313 helicopter

By Leithen Francis

China is preparing to fly its AC313 medium-lift helicopter for the first time in March, leading to certification in 2011, says an official at the manufacturer Avicopter, a division of China's state-owned aerospace conglomerate AVIC.

The AC313 is a 13t helicopter that "can be extended to 15t" and the external load capacity "can be 5t", says the official. China developed the AC313 on its own rather than collaborating with foreign partners.

More photos and information:
http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... 70%2eshtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
plus
http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/z8k-he ... -china.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3wZSwFvZzqM/S ... 89a4ba.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ,
lastly
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3wZSwFvZzqM/S ... b68d3d.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Richard from Rotterdam]

It's first flight was today apparently:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8575728.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;