Country of origin:

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Description:

Multi-purpose utility helicopter

Power Plant:

Two 1,268 kw (1,700 shp) Isotov TV-2-117A turboshafts

Specifications:

History:

The Mi 8, Mi 14 and Mi 17 series of helicopters has been one of the most important families of helicopters operated by countries coming under Soviet influence in the days of the Cold War, with some 9,000 examples of the Mi 8 alone being built. Designed by Mikhail Leontyhevich Mil in the late 1950s, the Mi 8 (codenamed “Hip”) prototype was first flown in January 1960 and was basically a turbine-powered variant of the Mi 4, retaining the latter’s rotor, transmission, and a number of other components.

The prototype flew with the 2,014 kw (2,700 shp) Soloviev engine, de-rated, but the second, which first flew on 17 September 1962, had the new definitive Isotov TV-2 of 1,119 kw (1,500 shp).  In 1964 a five-blade rotor was introduced, and in 1965 the type (up until then known as the V8) entered production, reaching a peak of 700 to 800 annually. A large machine by helicopter standards, the Mi 8 could carry 26 passengers four-abreast, or up to a total of 32 if required. In the cargo carrying role it could lift 3,000 kg (6,614 lb) on a sling.

Produced at the Kazan Helicopter factory in Ulan Ude in a variety of models, it has been used as an assault transport, airborne communications aircraft, radar jamming aircraft, and could be fitted with anti-armour missiles and a machine-gun in the nose. Other derivatives have included the Mi 14 anti-submarine aircraft; and the Mi 17 with up-rated engines, these being the TV2-1117 VM producing 1,417 kw (1,900 shp).

The type has been supplied over the years to a large number of countries which have come under Soviet influence, and some 54 countries are known to have operated the type, including the People’s Republic of China. More than 12,000 Mi 8s and Mi 17s were produced including 2,800 for export. The original civil passenger variant carried 28 to 32 passengers but in the ambulance role could carry 12 stretcher patients. Variants were produced for VIP use, the Mi 8 Salon (Hip-C) and Mi 8VIP being variants for this role, being fitted out to have a crew of three and seven to nine passengers, with a cloakroom, sofa, tables and mini bar, water heater, television etc. The exact number built is not known but in the order of some 17,000 examples have been completed.

A number of examples have been imported and operated in this region. In 1992 an Mi 17 (CCCP-70895) in the markings of Kazan Helicopters was demonstrated at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC; and HeviLift in New Guinea operated an Mi 17 (CCCP-27101) alongside a couple of Kamov Ka 32s and a Mil 26.

In July 1993 two Mi 8Ts of Nahanni Helicopters (YS-1005P and YS-1006P) were imported to New Zealand from El Salvador, arriving on board a Cuban Iluyshin Il 76, for timber logging duties in the Taupo region. However, the former YS-1005P was lost in an accident shortly after entering service. In 1996 YS-1006P was obtained by Helistar Helicopters and placed on static display outside its Wairakei facility where it remained until offered for sale in 1997. It was not sold and remains on display.

Another three, Mi 8 MTB4s, were imported for operations by Heli Harvest at Taupo, New Zealand (including RA22503 and RA25746) and in late 1998 one of these was flown to Australia by way of Norfolk Island for service in Port Moresby, New Guinea. During the 2003/2004 fire season an Mi 8MTV-1 (ER-MHZ – c/n 96078) operated by Heli Harvest of Taupo, New Zealand flew to Australia where it took up duties at Mansfield, VIC for fire bombing, operating on behalf of Helicopter Resources Pty Ltd.

Another Mi 8-MTV-1 (ER-MHH – c/n 96121) of Heli Harvest in May 2005 was ferried from Kupang to Darwin and on to New Zealand via Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, it having spent some months on tsunami relief work on behalf of the United Nations as part of the World Food Programme in Banda Aceh in Sumatra, an area where its heavy lifting capacity would have come to the fore. It later saw work in the fire-fighting role.

Another (ER-MHM – c/n 95881) was also used on Tsunami relief work following the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami. One operated for some time by Heli Harvest (ER-MHA – c/n 95626 – later 9N-AHT) left Taupo in early 2006 and was flown via Australia to work in Nepal. Two Mi 17s were operated from Taupo for a period, being RA25481 and RA70870. One example became P2-MHM (c/n 95881 – ex CCCP-27047, RA-27047, ER-MHM) in New Guinea, being exported at one stage and returning again as P2-MHM, being operated by Hevilift. This Company imported another example, this becoming P2-MHL (c/n 95721).  ER-MHL also operated in New Guinea but was seriously damaged on 19 October 2012 in an accident near Tenbagapura, Mimika Distric, Papua Province.

Others have operated in Papua New Guinea and appeared on the civil aircraft register. P2-HBE (c/n 95651) along with P2-HBB (c/n 59489607904 – ex RA-27106, HL-9283, RA-27106), P2-HBD (c/n 95607) and P2-HBA (c/n 59489605182 – ex RA-27101) have been operated by Heli Niguini Ltd on lease from Vladivostok Air; and as noted P2-MHM (c/n 95881) has operated with Hevilift Ltd on lease from Recotox Air of Moldova.

Roles for the type have included frost protection, skydiving, tower and building construction, transport of oversize cargoes, delivery of heavy loads to remote locations and vessels offshore, logistical support, internal cargo carriage and passenger transport operations. In New Zealand they have been used for transporting logs in forest areas, being able to lift a 5,000 kg (11,023 lb) payload. On one occasion one aircraft moved 750 tonnes of radiata pine in one day.

In March 1997 two Mil Mi 8s arrived at RAAF Tindal, NT, along with two Mil Mi 24 attack helicopters, the aircraft having originally been destined for New Guinea. Confiscated by the Australian Government at the behest of the then New Guinea Government, the Mi 8s remained in storage for some years until eventually shipped overseas.

The type has been used in a variety of roles around the world, a number of examples being used in South Africa for, amongst other things, fire-bombing. During the 2020 fire season in eastern Australia a New Guinea registered Mi 8 P2-MHM owned and operated by AeroPower and Hevilift, which had previously operated in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia on fire bombing operation, was flown and carried out fire bombing operations on the NSW south coast. This machine was able to life 5,000 litres (2,273 Imp gals) at a time.

In 2018 Russian Helicopters announced a new variant of the Mil Mi 17 fitted with 1,790 kw (2,400 shp) FADEC controlled Klimov VK-2500 turboshafts built in Russia in lieu of the Ukrainian-built Motor Sich TV3-117 engines. It has a glass cockpit, composite turboshafts and a new tail rotor. The new machine has improved hot and high performance.