1:35 Mil Mi-8MT/Mi-17 Hip-H Helicopter

A helicopter in the service of three countries

The modernized Mi-8, listed in its export form as the Mi-17, is recognized from older machines of the same family above all by its more powerful engines and by the tail rotor moved to the opposite side of the boom. That apparently small point is the most reliable guide for a builder in telling the two generations apart. The machine proved itself in transport, airborne assault and rescue roles and in central Europe it remains in service to this day. A roomy cargo cabin with side doors and rear clamshell doors made it a machine that handles carrying troops and a slung load with no modification.

Five operators on one sheet

The selection of markings is unusually broad. Besides army machines it holds a helicopter subordinate to the Polish ministry of the interior, that is a form used outside the military line, and also Polish naval aviation. Slovak and Czech military aviation complete the trio. For a collector focused on the equipment of the central European area this is a convenient combination: one package covers three neighboring countries and, within one of them, three different services. The color schemes differ between the services enough that models standing side by side do not look like a repetition of the same subject.

Intended use and workmanship

The manufacturer designed the sheet for Trumpeter kits, which in such a large scale matters, because the sizes and positions of the motifs match a particular fuselage shape. The large surfaces of a helicopter mean large national insignia, and those settle best on rounded sides with a decal softener and with patience. We recommend working symbol by symbol and evening the base out with a gloss layer beforehand.