In the middle of the 1960s, while the western countries were looking the helicopter
mainly as a transport and rescue machine,
the Soviet Army look at them as the air counterpart of the battle tanks.
Heavy armed versions of the Mi-8 Hip were in service in those years when
the Mil bureau start working in a new prototype called A-10 .
This new helicopter, designed primary as an anti tank weapon began tests
in 1970 and was seen for first time by NATO in East-Germany in 1972.
The A-10 soon reached a speed record of 368 km/h
The first versions uses a standard helo cockpit with pilots side-by-side, but in 1975
would appear the Hind-D with the now traditional attack cockpit
in a tandem configuration
The later versions, as the Hind-E , uses the more sophisticated AT-6
Spiral missiles instead of the AT-2 Swatter and a 23 mm cannon replacing the 12,7 mm
machine gun in the turret
In their better moment, more than 1000 Hinds were in service in the Red Army and
they were extensively used in Afghanistan where they teamed with the attack
aircraft Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot.
Functions: Attack / Air-Support / Assault First Flight : September 19, 1969 Crew / Load: 3 + 8
Hind D Engines: 2 * Isotov TV3-117 of 2200 hp Top Speed: 350 km/h Range: max. 800 km Ceiling: 4.500 m Weight: Empty: 6.500 kg -- Max: 11.500 Rotor Span: 17 m Length: 17 m Height: 4.25 m Disc Area: 227 m2
US Navy SH-2F Sea Sprite "Seasnake Two Zero"
getting chased on final approach to landing by a Soviet Frontal Aviation Mi-24D Hind.
Photo taken April 1985 near the La Pérouse Straits (between Sakhalin Island and Vladivostok)
[map]. Thanks Gordon!
Contribution : Animated graphic from The War Toys Site
