Mi-8TV
| This page is about the Soviet attack helicopter Mi-8TV. For other versions, see Mi-8 (Family). |
Contents
Description
Following the success of the Mi-6 heavy transport helicopter and its usage of turbine engines, Mikhail Mil set out to create a medium attack-transport utility helicopter with turbine engines to replace the aging Mi-4. While the Soviet government was sceptical at first to an entirely new helicopter to replace the Mi-4 (which they were content with), Mil convinced them by claiming his new helicopter would simply be a turbine-powered variant of the Mi-4. Using this excuse, he was able to completely redesign the front half of the helicopter (where the piston engine of the Mi-4 was housed). The Soviet government was still very sceptical about a new turbined transport helicopter, but that all changed when in September 1959, when Nikita Khrushchev during his visit to the USA, took a flight in the S-58 presidential helicopter (Marine One) for the first time and was reportedly extremely impressed. On Khrushchev's return, he ordered the creation of a similar turbine-powered helicopter, which was to be ready for the return visit by the American president, to save face. This gave Mil the power under the orders of Kruschev to build the twin-turbine medium transport helicopter he had originally envisioned. Shortly after, the first prototype of "Mil V-8" helicopter would begin testing. The new helicopter was instantly a hit, entering service with civilian and military operators around the world. Shortly after, a specially armed variant was derived for the Red Army, the Mi-8TV ("V" stands for "Vooruzhennyy" — "armed"), equipped with rocket pods and ATGMs for troop support.
The Mi-8TV(NATO reporting name: Hip), introduced in Update "Sons of Attila", is a early member of the venerable Mi-8 family. The Mi-8 functions as a major upgrade to the previous Mi-4AV, and a decent sidegrade to the early Mi-24A. Armed with a decent load of ATGMs, rockets, bombs, and even incendiary bombs (something rarely found on helicopters in-game), the Mi-8TV is a force to be reckoned with when positioned correctly in combined battles. Players must be wary of its manoeuvrability: while it is indeed a major upgrade in flight performance over the Mi-4AV thanks to its lighter and far stronger turbine engines, it is no AH-1 Cobra and is still a large target which is easy to hit. Players must exercise caution when engaging ground targets with the Mi-8, as its large profile makes it easy pickings for SPAA at closer ranges.
General info
Flight performance
Describe how the helicopter behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.
| Characteristics | Max speed (km/h at 1,000 m) |
Max altitude (metres) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | ||
| Stock | 251 | 243 | 4950 |
| Upgraded | ___ | ___ | |
Survivability and armour
Examine the survivability of the helicopter. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical systems.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Armaments
Offensive armament
The Mi-8TV is armed with:
- 1 x 12.7 mm A-12.7 machine gun, nose turret (700 rpg)
Suspended armament
The Mi-8TV can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
| Default weapon presets | |
|---|---|
| |
Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in a helicopter, the features of using the helicopter in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Pros and cons
Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".
Pros:
Cons:
History
This combat ready version of the Mi-8 was developed based on the Mi-8T model in 1974. The "TV" designation stands for "Transportno-Vooruzhenny," literally meaning "Transport-Armed." The helicopter was equipped with a movable 12.7mm machine gun in the nose, along with six pylons designed to carry a wide variety of suspended weaponry, including the Falanga anti-tank guided missile. This armament package brought the helicopter's combat ability roughly in line with early versions of the Mi-24. Despite being modified for combat, the helicopter retained its full troop transport functionality, being able to carry up to 23 soldiers, who could also fire their personal weapons through loopholes installed in the windows. The Mi-8TV helicopters were produced in limited numbers in Kazan. They were used for various roles in tandem with the Mi-24 and were also supplied to border patrol and naval aviation units.
- From Devblog
Media
- Skins
- Videos
See also
- Related development
External links
| Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant | |
|---|---|
| Attack | Mi-4AV |
| Mi-8AMTSh · Mi-8TV | |
| Mi-24A · Mi-24P · Mi-24V | |
| Mi-28N · Mi-28NM | |
| Mi-35M | |
| Export | ◊Mi-8TB |
| ▂Mi-24D · ◔Mi-24D · ◔Mi-24V · ◔Mi-24P · ◊Mi-24P · ◄Mi-24P HFS 80 | |
| Mi-28A | |
| USSR helicopters | |
|---|---|
| Attack | |
| Hound | Mi-4AV |
| Hip | Mi-8AMTSh · Mi-8TV |
| Hind | Mi-24A · ▂Mi-24D · Mi-24P · Mi-24V · Mi-35M |
| Havoc | Mi-28N · Mi-28NM |
| Helix | Ka-29 |
| Hokum | Ka-50 · Ka-52 |
