Nanchang Q-5C Fantan by Trumpeter
1/72 scale
Kit No. 01685
Cost: $30.00
Decals: Four versions – Three Chinese, one Pakistani
Comments: Engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail; two-part canopy; under wing stores include drop tanks, rocket pods, and bombs, including a tactical nuclear bomb; boxed in wheel wells, detailed landing gear
History
The Q-5C is a single-seat, twin-engined, close air support and ground-attack fighter-bomber developed by the Nanchang Aircraft Company of China. Nanchang’s Q-5 series of aircraft are derived from the Shenyang F-6 interceptor, a license-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-19, originating from a Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) requirement for an F-6 type aircraft modified specifically for ground attack and close air support. While the basic MiG-19 design had been retained in the Shenyang F-6, a significant redesign was undertaken for the strike aircraft. The Nanchang Q-5 featured an all-new nose housing the attack radar, the intakes were moved from the nose to the fuselage sides, and an internal bomb bay was incorporated into the fuselage.
The redesigned aircraft remained a single-seater, retaining the MiG-19’s wings, rear fuselage and general shape. With the new nose, the overall effect was an aircraft that bore a passing resemblance to the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, although it is a bit smaller. It has a fuselage 16.74 meters, or 54 ft. 10 in. long, a height of 4.33 meters (14.2 ft.), and a wingspan of 9.8 meters, or 31 ft. 10 in. (The F-105 is 67 feet long with a wingspan of 34 ft., 11 in.). The Q-5C’s maximum takeoff load is 11,300 kg. There is an increased inlet diameter and enlarged forward fuselage, allowing more fuel to be carried. There are also provisions for additional updated avionics. Another improved version, the Q5-K, had been tested with French avionics, but the program was cancelled in 1989.
The Q-5C is powered by two Shenyang WP6 turbojets, each rated at 25.50 kN dry and 31.87 kN with afterburners, mounted side by side in the rear of the fuselage. The main armament consists of two internal 23mm cannon with 100 rounds, one in each wing root. There are ten attachment points for external stores, consisting of two pairs in tandem under the center fuselage, and three under each wing. Fuselage mounted pylons can each carry a 250 kg bomb; inboard wing stations can carry 6kg or 25 lb practice bombs; outboard wing stations can each be occupied by a 400 litre drop tank or air-to-air missiles such as PL-2, Pl-2b, Pl-7, AIM-9 Sidewinder and R550 Magic. The Q-5C can also be configured as an all-weather interceptor with provisions for a search-tracking radar in the nose.
It is the latest type equipped with imported navigation and attack systems, and is used mainly to assist ground troops in attacking concentrated targets on land, key transportation points and ships near the coast. It can also serve effectively as an interceptor. For the anti-shipping role, it can also carry two torpedoes or two Y-18 of YJ-8 sea-skimming ASCM’s (Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles), a reverse-engineered, improved version of the Russian original. The latest model Q-5C in service with the PLAAF may be equipped with HUD, a ballistic computer, ECM pod, ALR-1 laser range finder/designator (to deliver newly developed laser guided bombs). In addition, Russia is reportedly offering its Phazotron Komar PD radar to upgrade the Q-5.
In the 1980s, the aircraft was exported to nations such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and North Korea, and is often known as the A-5 in those nations. The Q-5C is designated A-5C in Pakistani service. The A-5Cs of the Pakistani Air Force have been employed exclusively in the ground attack role. Pakistan obtained 52 Q-5Cs in 1983 which equip No. 16 and No. 26 Squadrons of the Pakistani Air Force. Of the 60 aircraft of this class acquired by Pakistan, as of mid-1999 only 49 remained in service. Some are reportedly capable of carrying a single 5-20 kiloton nuclear bomb. The A-5C offers enhanced combat performance particularly at low and very low altitude. This strike aircraft is operated by Bangladesh, North Korea, Pakistan, and the People’s Republic of China.
The Kit
Trumpeter’s Nanchang Q-5C is injection molded in grey plastic and consists of 100 plastic parts including two clear parts for the aircraft canopy. In addition, there is a small photo etch fret providing metal details such as wing fences, blade antennae, and parts to augment the kit’s ordnance (bomb fins). The cockpit is fair, with a detailed ejection seat and control yoke, a decal for the instrument panel, and no sidewall detail. The parts for the airframe itself are crisply molded with engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail that with a little weathering will greatly enhance the look of the finished model.
The cockpit assembly is straightforward with only five parts (tub, two-part seat, control yoke, and instrument panel) and the fuselage is a standard two halves with an option for one of two belly parts. Most notably, the kit provides an alternate part for the belly enabling modelers to depict a Q-5 variant equipped with a KB-1 tactical nuclear bomb carried in a recess in the aircraft’s belly on the center line. The fuselage is rounded out by an exquisitely detailed tail section consisting solely of a fish-like part encasing the jet exhaust nozzles. Each of the wings and vertical tail are two parts each, with a single part for each horizontal stabilizer. The intake interiors are split in half by a photoetch part to be glued in before they are attached to the fuselage.
The landing gear are well detailed and care will have to be taken in removing the PE parts for the wing fences and affixing them to the wings without bending or damaging them; they are slender parts and not particularly large. The kit comes with options for ordnance including two drop tanks on the outboard wing pylons, two 250 kg (551 lb.) bombs, and two 57mm rocket pods, in addition to the nuclear weapon.
Markings
There is a nicely illustrated Painting and Marking Guide provided, in color, that offers three- and four-view drawings to assist with painting and decal placement. The kit markings offer four versions but provide no details whatsoever as to specific squadrons or units for the individual aircraft depicted. The decals are of fair quality and look like they could be prone to silvering — use with care and perhaps have an aftermarket set standing by. There are three Chinese versions and one for the Pakistani Air Force. No stencils are provided.
The first Chinese version is for a Q-5C of the PLAAF, Red 20267, in overall natural metal. The second Chinese version is for a Q-5C of the PLAAF, White 23190, painted in a scheme of overall Olive Drab. The third Chinese version, Red 11264, is also in overall natural metal. The Pakistani version, Black 124, is perhaps the most interesting because of its camouflage paint scheme of Yellow, Brown and Green (although the yellow looks more like a Pale Tan color) over natural metal undersides.
Conclusion
This is a well detailed kit of an important Chinese strike aircraft, very crisply molded. It will be a strong addition to any modelers Far East collection. Highly recommended.
References
- www.globalsecurity.org
- https://navalpost.com
- https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/
- www.sacmuseum.org (Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum)
- https://capsindia.org
A Q-5C on display at the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution. This angle shows its marked similarity to the American Republic F-105.