Canadian Warplanes 7: Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178 helicopter

Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178

(RCAF Photo)

Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178, RCAF (5) (Serial No. 1780405) in Afghanistan, c2010.

(RCAF Photo)

Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178, RCAF (5) (Serial No. 1780407) in Afghanistan, c2010.

Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178, RCAF (5) (Serial Nos. 1780404, 178405, 178406, and 178407), leased by the Canadian Forces for the Air Task Force in Afghanistan in 2010. Operational at Kandahar airport by May/June 2010. These helicopters may have been airfreighted to Bulgaria in August 2011, with Canadian markings covered in tape. Two Mil-8T, (Serial No. EX503 and EX504) were also on lease, operated by Aviakompaniya Aerostan. Operational from Kandahar airport from 17 November 2008. (CWHM)

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. When combined the two helicopters are the third most common operational military aircraft in the world. (Wikipedia)