SA 360/SA 365/AS 365/EC-365/Z-9 Dauphin and their derivatives

[dy031101]

Mockup of what is said to be an attack helo development of the WZ-9 Dauphin as a potential competitor or maybe a backup.

It is thought to have retained the engines, rotors, drivetrain, and the approximate form factor of the aft fuselage.

Brought to our attention by Hellraiser at China Defense.com Forum.  

[RotorheadTX]

Actually it's CAIC WZ-10.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAIC_WZ-10

[ChernayaAkula]

This looks more like some movie prop.

This is the actual Z-10 and the configuration in which it has been test-flown.



In case the pic doesn't appear (as seemed to be the case with this post ), see >>HERE<< on Sinodefence.com.

[dy031101]

Actually it's CAIC WZ-10.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAIC_WZ-10

WZ-10 has a more-rounded set of engine fairings whereas the WZ-9 development has boxy ones.  WZ-10 tail rotors also are not of the fenestron type.

But yup, it otherwise looks like a "little brother" of the WZ-10.  And we don't know if this WZ-9 development ever progressed beyond the mockup stage or not.

This page has multiple pictures of the WZ-10, so people can compare between the WZ-9 development mockup and the WZ-10.

[dy031101]

This page has multiple pictures of the WZ-10, so people can compare between the WZ-9 development mockup and the WZ-10.

Entry (the bottom one) on the above-mentioned page is now updated with a picture of a flying example- instead of the extent shown on the mockup, modifications undergone with this one appear to be limited to a new forward fuselage and (fixed?) tail-dragging landing gears.  It's hard to make out if this chopper has stub wings (like Z-10 or even just WZ-9A) or only weapon pylons (like the basic WZ-9).

[dy031101]

Some more pics: