Mil Mi-17 “Hip” – the USSR/ Czech combat helicopter

Mil Mi-8 (Russian: Ми-8, NATO code “Hip”) is a Soviet multi-purpose helicopter, designed by the M. Mil design bureau. Later versions were designated Mi-9, Mi-17, Mi-18, Mi-19, Mi-171 and Mi-172. Now the designation of all these machines in Russia is unified – Mi-8. The experience and knowledge, gained in the design, production and operation of the M-8/Mi-17 helicopter family, were used in the design of such helicopters, as the Mi-14 and Mi-24. Helicopters of this type were used or are still used by about 40 countries of the world; a total of over 12 thousand exemplars were produced. Using the experience from the design, production and operation of the Mi-4, it was ordered to create a new medium transport helicopter, which would also have some combat power. This is how the V-8 prototype appeared. The first machine, equipped with one AI-24V engine and a 4-blade propeller, first took to the air on July 9, 1961, and the second with two engines - on September 17, 1962. On September 25 it was officially presented to government representatives. In June 1965 it was presented at the XXVI International Air Show in Paris. The serial machines were equipped with more powerful TV2 engines and a five-blade propeller. In the early seventies, an amphibious version of the Mi-8 was built, designated Mi-14, and the Mi-24 attack helicopter was based on the technical solutions of the Mi-8. Starting in 1981, new serial helicopters began to be equipped with more powerful TV-3 engines, and at the same time the designation was changed to Mi-17. These versions differ externally in the position of the tail rotor, because in the Mi-8 it is on the right, and in the Mi-17 - on the left. When the designations of the versions were unified in Russia, they remained in the export versions. The Lithuanian Military Aviation also had Mi-8 helicopters in its arsenal and has several more in reserve, but they were only transport helicopters and it is unlikely, that there were any Mi-17 version machines among them. One of them was converted into a presidential helicopter.

A medium-size model of a medium-size helicopter, but well designed and richly detailed, intended only for medium-experienced and experienced modelers. The model perfectly reproduces all the external detailing, rotors, landing gear, cockpit and landing compartment detailing. It is possible to make a model even with opening engine service covers and engine maquettes, a fairly extensive range of weapons. The model reproduces the appearance of a lightly "used" helicopter from the Czech Air Force. Available a big reserve of colors, the textual instruction in Polish is not very extensive and only complements the very excellent graphical instruction.