|
Mi24 - Helicopter
One of these is available, but
I must stress some minor parts are missing, but everything
is there to either start a restoration, or put on your
front drive way. Only 200 Mi-24A helicopters were manufactured during the five years of their
production. The operation of these helicopters, including combat missions,
contributed greatly to their further development, updating and improved
reliability. This also allowed training pilots and maintenance personnel both in
our country and abroad.
The operational experience of the Mi-24A
revealed in particular the poor external view from the pilot's cockpit. This
drawback forced a radical change in the helicopter nose to accommodate the new
weapon systems and sights. In the final version, the pilot and weapon operator
were seated in tandem, stepped cockpits under individual canopies. The unfixed
mount with the YaKB-12.7 (Yakushev-Borzov) machine gun, boasted a high rate of
fire (4,000-4,500 r.p.m) and was remotely controlled via the KPS-53AV sighting
station and housed in the exterior front part of the weapon operator's cockpit.
The cartridge box previously housed in the pilot's cockpit was installed under
the cockpit floor and handled from the outside. There was another problem to
solve: it involved the provision of a broad view (±60 deg. in azimuth) for the
Raduga observation device used by the weapon operator, which would not impair
visibility by structural members and similar view for the command radio link
antenna. They were installed on both sides of the fuselage, below the outline of
the machine-gun mount. This marked the final general appearance of the crew
cockpit and of Mi-24D and Mi-24V as a whole. These helicopters jointly underwent
state trials and were launched into series production.
As mentioned
earlier, the D version differed from the A version owing to the Phalanga-P
antitank missile system incorporating Raduga-F semiautomatic guiding system,
which increased the accuracy of antitank missiles two times. In addition, the
gyrostabilizing guidance device provided for helicopter's maneuverability within
±60 degrees in yaw during missile guidance, thereby increasing its
effectiveness. The provision of a remotely controlled machine gun USPU-24 for
the equipment of the Mi-24D ensured automatic introduction of the corrections
into firing. The system also comprised an analogue computer compatible with the
airborne system of modulating transducers. The unguided armament of the Mi-24D
helicopter was not changed, as was the case with the Mi-24A helicopter.
Adoption of the final version of the helicopter Mi-24V was delayed by the
development of a new generation Shturm-V antitank missile system. It should be
noted here that the Shturm-V system was reviewed as a helicopter version of the
ground system Shturm-S. However, the helicopter version was the first to become
operational. In addition to the Shturm-V system, the ASP-17V, an automatic
pilot's sight was mounted on the Mi-24V. This sight was a modification of the
sight developed for the Su-17 aircraft.
Consequently, the main work on
the army transport-combat helicopter came to an end and the Mi-24D and Mi-24V
became operational in conformity with Government Decree dated March 1976.
The Mi-24 helicopter remained for a long time the powerful and
effective combat vehicle. As a reward of their efforts, the main developers,
including Designer General M.N.Tischenko, were awarded Lenin prizes. Meanwhile a
large group of designers, workers and customer's representatives were given
government awards. However, work on the Mi-24 was still not over. A roomy
compartment to accommodate troops predetermined further development of utility
versions, including: ? Mi-24P helicopter intended for chemical and radiation
reconnaissance. This helicopter underwent a baptism of fire when determining the
scope of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power station; ? Mi-24K
reconnaissance artillery spotting helicopter intended for ground forces.
However, most development work on the Mi-24 was geared to increase its
combat and fire power.
Please click  here to view ACTUAL
Mi24
Specifications
|
