Formaplane 1/72 Mi-24A Hind

The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter, and low-capacity troop transport with room for eight passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and has been operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force and its successors, along with more than 30 other nations.

The Mi-24 Hind was the first Russian helicopter to be built specifically for assault combat missions. The Hind A was in service with the V.VS in East Germany and western Russia. The type was first reported in 1972 by Intelligence Sources. It was thought to be an updated version of the Mi-6 ‘Hip’ however it was smaller though of equal power.

The Hind A was the first of a completely new design by Russian Technology intended for special assault warfare. The type was exported to several countries including Libya, Ethiopia and Algeria among others. The Mi-24A was powered by two up rated Glushenko Turbo shaft engines and can fly at 260 Km ph. It has two large wings to carry a large variety of armament systems. They also serve to give lift at speed allowing the power feed through the five rotor blades to propel the aircraft forward rather than lift it by gravity.

The Hind A carries a crew of three: pilot, co-pilot and gunner, and 8 or 10 fully equipped troops in the central cabin. The tricycle undercarriage retracts in the fuselage. Fuel tanks are located beneath the cabin and in the rear of the fuselage. Forward window panel in the nose is bulletproof glass. It has a self-distinguishing plant which disperses foam in the engine, gearbox and fuel tank compartments.

Algeria had both the early Hind A and the later Hind D gunship. The kit represents the helicopter Mil Mi-24A Serial 4202034 Register 2034 34 used by Al Quwwat Aljawwiya Aljaza Eriiya (Algerian Air Force) that was built in 1974 and delivered to Algeria.

Parts are all vac-form styrene having the cockpit area separate in clear Perspex formed to shape. Not an easy kit to build but whoever tried vac-form kits before should enjoy building it. I also added three crew figures from spares. Undercarriage legs were built from scratch, and so was the main propeller hub. Scale plans are provided but nothing else and the rest is up to you.

The model was painted in dark and light earth in common with color camouflaged used on Algerian helicopters at the time it was delivered. Decals came from a spare set left over from Begamot decals sheet.

I am pleased that I have this early version of Hind attack helicopters which make a good contrast to the tandem seating Mi-24 gunships which have now supplanted the early Hinds. .

Carmel J. Attard

21 September 2018

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