The Mil Mi-8 (Russian: Ми-8, NATO reporting name: Hip) is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union, and now produced by Russia. In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. Along with the related, more powerful Mil Mi-17, the Mi-8 is among the world's most-produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries. As of 2015, when combined the two helicopters are the third most common operational military aircraft in the world.
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport. The core of the aircraft was derived from the Mil Mi-8 with two top-mounted turboshaft engines driving a mid-mounted 17.3 m five-blade main rotor and a three-blade tail rotor. The engine configuration gave the aircraft its distinctive double air intake. Original versions have an angular greenhouse-style cockpit; Model D and later have a characteristic tandem cockpit with a "double bubble" canopy. Other airframe components came from the Mi-14 "Haze". Two mid-mounted stub wings provide weapon hardpoints, each offering three stations, in addition to providing lift. The loadout mix is mission dependent; Mi-24s can be tasked with close air support, anti-tank operations, or aerial combat.
The Mi-24 fuselage is armored and can resist impacts from 12.7 mm (0.50 in) rounds from all angles. The titanium rotor blades are resistant to 12.7 mm rounds. The cockpit is protected by ballistic-resistant windscreens and a titanium-armored tub. The cockpit and crew compartment are over pressurized to protect the crew in NBC conditions. DCS is modelling the P version which was primarily a gunship variant with limited troop carrying potential.
The Ka-50 Black Shark is a unique and deadly single-seat, Russian attack helicopter developed after the Mi-24 that has seen combat in the Northern Caucasus. It combines a high performance dual rotor system with a deadly weapons payload of guided missiles, rockets, bombs, and a 30mm cannon. The Ka-50 is also unique in that it has an ejection seat.
All three use flight modeling typically calculating the individual aerodynamics for individual sections of each blade, which are then integrated into the blade, and then integrated into the rotor hub. This calculation is made 166 times per second. The same goes for the fuselage, wings and so on. The resultant of this gives what’s happening. In terms of difference, the blades, rotor length, fuselage shape and wings are not the same on each helicopters - The principle for simulating them is the same, but results are different.
The Ka50 and Mi8 often use common cockpit components and I am sure the Hind 24 does too. The Ka50 and Mi8 are as different as chalk and cheese to fly, but both require skill and experience to get best results. The Hind-24 will be the same, completely unique in many aspects.
Obviously each has strengths and weakness but together, they are well matched and make a great team.
Do not expect glass screens, MFDs, fancy computers, automated everything and data linked to every other aircraft in the sky. These are older cold war era that need to be flown!
Many in bouts of sales fever buy the Mi8 and the Kaq50 - fly them (read crash) - a few times and leave them in the hangar. With the addition of the Hind coming in a month or two some may considering learning this matched trio of aircraft. They are mot difficult nor complex to learn with the right approach and advice but do require skill and more than the occasssional glance at instruments
.I have a full hangar but mainly fly the F18C and the AV8NA, the Spitfire and hopefully the Mossie, and this Russian duo (hopefully trio). All three of these aircraft groups are so diverse but within each group they not too dissimilar to fly, the F18 and Harrier are modern with all the bells and whistles - the warbirds are great seat of the pants stuff especially with the cannons and a buttkicker BUT for me the Russian aircraft are often the most demanding to fly, not difficult but demanding precision and experience.
Attached to 1 FTS will be a flight from Rotary Wing Test and Evaluation Squadron (RWTES) equipped with Mi-8, Ka50 and when available the Hind-24. Suggested training programmes for the Hip and the Kamov are available and will be developed for the Hind-24.
There is no formal training night unless wanted, of course you can belong to any other squadron RAFAir or not, where ever possible we will dovetail into 60 Squadrons missions and any other mission environments in or out of RAFAir.
The aim is to form a cadre of like minded folk who love these airframes, share information, skills, tips etc and to fly together at whatever times suit in whatever of the 3 aircraft, as roles, speeds and ethos match. Whether this is achievable I've no idea but I will try nonetheless.
If you want fast action, computerised everything, thousands of weapon systems, radar, Link 16 - you know modern battlefield stuff this is not for you - go for the Kiowa and later the Apache Longbow as they will be superior in the battlefield in many areas.
But if you are of a certain age where old skool soviet design and tech, old school systems, chunky switches (100's of them), real start up procedures, realism and the best rotary flight models around that requires skillful pilotage then this may float your boat. If at all interested or want to chat just shout TS, Email or here....
Mi-17 in Rotary Wing Test and Evaluation Squadron (RWTES) livery,,
Interesting transcript of a podcast re the Hind 24 by ED
https://stormbirds.blog/2021/01/09/new- ... interview/
