Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - June 10th, 1965...
Copyrighted Photo by Patc045
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 1960's-design Chinese-built single-seat, twin jet engine ground-attack aircraft based on the Shenyang J-6.
The aircraft is primarily used for close air support.
Approximately 1,300 were manufactured with some still in active service.
Nanchang A-5III/A-5C was an export version for Pakistan Air Force with western equipment upon customers' requests, such as flight instrumentation made by Rockwell Collins, and western ejection seat made by Martin-Baker.
Added the capability to fire western missiles such as the R550 Magic or AIM-9 Sidewinder.
No. 7 Squadron 'Bandits' – operated A-5C from 1983 until circa 1991.
No. 26 Squadron 'Black Spiders' – operated A-5C from 1984 until Feb 2010.
No. 16 Squadron 'Panthers' – operated A-5C from 1983 until April 2011.
A-5 (Q-5) is believed to be Pakistan’s first tactical nuclear strike delivery aircraft. Two fuel tanks and nuclear devices not so different from O-27 shown below. Obviously its not declared mostly speculated but believed to be true.
O-27 tactical N-bomb mounted on modified Q-5A. first operational N-bomb. Q-5A would fly at an altitude of 300m to avoid radar detection, about 12km before target would start 45° climb reaching altitude of 1,200m & release. It was developed for Soviets & mission was one way .