Mi-2 ‘Hoplite’

• Polish-built light helicopter • Soviet design • More than 5000 built

Designed in Russia by the Mil bureau but built in Poland by PZL at its Swidnik factory, the Mi-2 was the world’s first light, twin-enginod helicopter. The first prototype flew in September 1961, and since production startod in 1965 того than 5000 have been delivered. They have been used for a range of missions by civil and military operators in many countries. As well as developing the Mi-2, PZL has also launched the improved W-3.

PZL-Swidnik (Mil) Ml-2 ‘HOPLITE*

▲ Still in Russian use

Unvtod Mi-2 production contimied into the 1990s. This gaudily painted Hophte’ was one of a number that remained m Russian servico until 1991.

▼ Missile-toting МІ-21ЖР

The MI-2URP. which dates from 1976. is among a number of armed ‘Hophte’ variants. It may be httod with up to four 9M1-1M Malyutka (known as AT-3 ‘Sagger’ to NATO) air-to-surfaco missiles.

4 Agricultural variant

Among the dozen Mi-2 variants was an agricultural vorsion with externally-mounted hoppers and spray booms.

▼ External fuel tanks

All Mi-2 variants can be fitted with external fuel tanks, each of 250-1 (66 gal.) capacity. Carrying a full load range is limited to 170 km (106 mi)

FACTS AND

► In the lato-1970* PZL developed on oxport conversion of the Mi-2, called Kama (Kittyhawk). with two Allison engines.

► Mi-2s still servo with ex-Warsaw Pact countries, plus Nicaragua and Syria.

► Chronologically, the Mi-2 appeared in production after the Mi-4 and MI-6.

FIGURES

► PZLs W-3 Sokol (Falcon), which flow In 1979, was based on the MI-2 but hod new engines, rotors and a larger cabin.

► East Germany used Mi-2s for artillery spotting and electronic warfare.

► Civil versions include air ambulance.

TV rolay, agricultural and survey models.

PZL-Swidnik (Mil) Mi-2 ‘Hoplite’
Mi-2 ‘Hoplite’ Type: twin-engined general-purpose light helicopter Powerplant: two 331-kW (44S-hp.) Isotov GTD – 350P turboshalts Max speed: 210 km/h (130 m p. h) at 500 m 0.6-10 ft.» Maximum climb rate: 270 nvmm (885 T. p.m. i at sea level Range: t70 km (105 ml.) With maximum payload Service celling: 4000 m (13.100 IL) Weights: empty 2402 kg (5.485 lb ); maximum take-oft 3700 kg (8.140 lb) Dimensions: main rotor diamotor
Below: CCCP-06180 was the registration given to the Mi-2 prototype. V-2. which first flew in 1961. Externally, the design did not change significantly during production.
14 56 m (47 ft 9 in.» 11.94 m <39 ft 2 in.) 375 m (12 fl 4 In.) 166 4 m’ (1.790*1 »«>
fuselage length height rotor disc area
ACTION DATA
One ol the AOfldS fun twn engmod tght nancopeera. tm* Mil had я raMivety mode* powo* output. Сопрели» lo mom inoornn type» »Ka 0m* DK 11T and К&-77Є. It» ‘MgptKe’ hod on mferor power-to-wetght ratio MI-2 HSrUTF BX lire-? ХЯ-775 mn (84 kW (1.1SS l« | H000UIM-I IBSOhp. l STS kW (840 kp | PASSENGERS MI-7 HOPtlli 8 pauenttn
The M>-2 nt*oauccd a ivntx* о» improvements over the Mi-t. tnduring a bonooav/rtood keebgo and anti-kang «допюг* on the епдюэ ач mtefces. The «her uses ware freed a – Irom the – engne
rim Mi-2 use» two 295 kW or 322-kW laoww. GTD-3S0 0» 331 – kW CTD-350P tvtx*ha»t engines own л Poland ахни tcence by P&. These aio mouited m a necote above tin» kCOCfcpit and cab*i
Tne tat rotor blades are ot bended-metal lioneycomo construction All bioaee have electro thermal de-tong
Ali’tougn normally ooerated by one (stot. tie M. 2 may be toted win duct controls ter tiMuo msaons
ЛЛ three nekeopsers ihovtncan Ml mtatwaly targe imdertlung bath Instead ol cairyrg poseenge-*. The M.-2 pan II» 1200 kg Cf. etOlO) *nue manta* cabin con «1*0 be nrccnligured lo carry ireghi intcmuiyTtie HopMe’ can cany up lo 700 kg (l. WO »I miemaOy when its seat* ага removed
НЖЖ
Many гтхКагу ‘Hoptoo’ vnrWrits cm fitted л-.th an NS – 25KM 23-mm carmen on tho pert ado of the t. is&age bmow tloor and door kwer. When is oanod by ttie ptot The example car nos two 57-mm Mm? rocket pods.
Xl-TM MOOOIUM8 7 рпіепрп ЖЖ»
"hvi ”«тш neats *i the man or conditionoa cu*ki cjvi tio fl*wred to uttow for up to TOO kg (1.540 to) & cargo to do Сл"- ‘I Tho urge rrvjr doo makes toadng and іпкчЮгд onaMr
Soviet designs in foreign production
■ HAL MiG-27L BAHADUR FLOCGER-J’: Since 1984. HAL in India has bud more than 100 MtG-27 stoke aircraft under licence.
■ PZL-MIELEC An-28 CASH’: Production ol thes Antonov Ал-1-І derivative began in 1984 Most ol these 17-sealers went to civil users.
BX И TS-2
7*7 km* |15J aip. h.)
ил iml |03 n p h I

Robinson

• Two-seat light helicopter • Cheap to own • Private and business

For the beginner and the professional alike the Robinson R22 is the right helicopter. Since 1975, thousands of student pilots have oarnod their rotary-wing qualification flying the R22. Though it receives little publicity, the R22 is a popular, lightweight general aviation helicopter that is also economical. Few helicopters are tailorod for people of modest means—but this aircraft is. making it the ideal training tool.

Robinson R22

▼ All tied up

Helicopter rotors can bo surprisingly tragilo. They must bo carefully anchored to tho fuselage to prevent windmilling on tho ground.

A Four-seat R44

The R44 is a four-seat version of tho R22 incorporating many now features such as an automatic engine clutch and a rotor brake.

◄ R22 on floats

Another version of tho R22 is the Mariner, which has mtlatablo floats and wheels for ground handling. Tho first examples delivered wore used for fish spotting from tuna fishing boats oft Mexico and Venezuela.

> It is ostimntad that ovor 13,000 student pilots have made their first holicoptor solo in this aircraft.

> Tho first R22 prototype flow on August 28, 1976, and tho second In 1977.

> Total production of the R22 hod oxcoodod 2,500 aircraft by 1995.

Desptto tho company’s small sizo, Robinson nchiovod n production rote of about 30 R22o per month.

► Tho Turkish army Is tho only military user of the R22, ns a basic flight tralnor.

>• Argentina’s police forces are acquiring R22s fittod with both floats and wheels.