PLAAF Z-18G/L crash

[chopper2004]

According to HK news it appears that latest PLAAF Z-8G/L (the front of this battlefield version reminds me of a Merlin even though the airframe is loosely derived from the older larger Z-8 Suepr Frelon which it is replacing) has crashed fortnight ago.. It lifted off from Chong City, guangxi on an exercise (apparently to simulate an assault on a Hong Kong mountain) with all hands lost. The Unit in question is the 75th Army in the region

https://hk.news.appledaily.com/china...91030/60213997

[Fareastdriver]

the airframe is loosely derived from the older larger Z-8 Suepr Frelon which it is replacing)

The transmission is certainly Super Frelon because of the direction of rotation of the main rotor; derived from the Sikorsky S64.