Revell 1/72 04645 Mil Mi-26 Heavy Helicopter Kit

The Mil Mi-26 (NATO code name 'Halo') is the worlds heaviest and largest series built helicopter. It was developed for a useful load of 20 tons over a 800 km distance. Series production started in 1980. From 1983 onwards 60 Mi-26 saw use in the then Soviet Air Force. Both Lotarev-turbines delivering a power total of 22.800 hp pk together with the drive box make up the hart of this super helicopter. The rotor hub with eight blades and the five bladed tail rotor are built from titanium. To improve the flying and tactical capabilities of this giant helicopter, as from 1985 all machines have been equiped with an auto pilot, an automatic hover stabilisation and modern avionics for all weather and night use. The cargo hold of the Mi-26 is similar to that of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules. It can carry 90 fully equiped soldiers or two air-lifted armoured carriers, or a standard 20 ton container. Ground forces from countries such as India, Ukraine, Venezuela, Kazakhstan, Mexico and others already received the Mi-26. Until 2001 about 300 machines have been built in the helicopter factory in Rostov on the river Don.