The Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. (AVIC) donated a CJ-5 primary trainer aircraft to the Shaoshan Mao Zedong Memorial Hall on September 8, 2021. It is the first aircraft manufactured in the People’s Republic of China. This aircraft will be on display at the memorial hall for a long period.

On July 3, 1954, the CJ-5 aircraft completed its first flight at the Nanchang Hongdu Machinery-building Factory, which later became the Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry Group as an AVIC subsidiary. This marked an end to China’s history of incapacity in manufacturing aircrafts. Chairman Mao wrote a letter of praise and encouragement to the factory, and mentioned the successful trial production as “a good start in establishing both aircraft industry and strengthening the national defense of China ”.

The factory had delivered 379 CJ-5 trainer aircrafts to the air force and aviation schools. The aircraft donated this time is among those ones.  

The Shaoshan authority presented that, the exhibition of the CJ-5 trainer in Shaoshan will help accelerate construction of Shaoshan’s patriotism education demonstration base, and boost integration and promotion of the aviation spirit in serving the country and the red or revolutionary culture of the great man’s hometown.

Hunan’s aviation industry emerged in early 1950s. At present, Hunan has become an important base of China in research and production of medium-sized and small aero-engines and aircraft take-off and landing systems, and in comprehensive aircraft maintenance. 

 
This article is from Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn