Mi-24 ‘Hind-A’

• Soviet gunship/assault helicopter • Exported • Afghan action

Soviet helicopter pioneer Mikhail Mil’s last helicopter design, the Mi-24, has been ono of the most widely used military helicopters. Tho original Mi-24 prototypo flow in 1970, and was used with two other prototypos to establish several speed, height and climb records. Initial production aircraft wore given tho NATO reporting name •Hind-A’, and were operated by a threo-man crew, including a flight engineer as well as a co-pilot/gunner.

A Well armed

A variety ot weapons (anti-tank missilos, rockets and bombsI were carried on "wings’ attached behind tho cabin. Each had a 250-kg (550-lb.) capacity. Tho Mi-24 saw Its first action in Afghanistan.

A Inspired by HueyCobra

Mikhail Mil studied the American Belt 209 HueyCobra before proposing the Mi-24. The ‘Hind differed from the Cobra In having a troop carrying capability

► Iraqi Mi-249 wore crodited with downing Iranian Cobnt helicopters and ovon F-4 lighter-bombers during tho Iran-Iraq War.

► An Mi-24 prototype new for tho flrst time In early 1970.

► A Hlnd-Л’ was modified to tost syotoms for the lator *Hlnd-D‘.

Pro-production Mi-249 were known as ‘Hind-8’ In tho Wont as they wore not Identified until after production ‘Hind-A*

During the conflict In Afghanistan, MI-24* wore flown by Soviet and Afghan forces

As woll as carrying weapons, tho stub wings provide some lift