"The Russians can give you arms, but only the United States can give you a selection."
- Egyptian President Anwar Sadat

The Mil Mi-24 (NATO reporting name: Hind) 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 48 other nations.

In NATO circles, the export versions, Mi-25 and Mi-35, are denoted with a letter suffix as "Hind D" and "Hind E". Soviet pilots called the Mi-24 the "flying tank" (Russian: летающий танк, romanized: letayushchiy tank), a term used historically with the famous World War II Soviet Il-2 Shturmovik armored ground attack aircraft. More common unofficial nicknames were "Galina" (or "Galya"), "Crocodile" (Russian: Крокодил, romanized: Krokodil), due to the helicopter's camouflage scheme, and "Drinking Glass" (Russian: Стакан, romanized: Stakan), because of the flat glass plates that surround earlier Mi-24 variants' cockpits.

The core of the aircraft was derived from the Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name "Hip") with two top-mounted turboshaft engines driving a mid-mounted 17.3 m five-blade main rotor and a three-blade tail rotor. The engine configuration gave the aircraft its distinctive double air intake. Original versions have an angular greenhouse-style cockpit; Model D and later have a characteristic tandem cockpit with a "double bubble" canopy. Other airframe components came from the Mi-14 "Haze". Two mid-mounted stub wings provide weapon hardpoints, each offering three stations, in addition to providing lift. The loadout mix is mission dependent; Mi-24s can be tasked with close air support, anti-tank operations, or aerial combat.

The Mi-24's titanium rotor blades are resistant to 12.7 mm rounds.[citation needed] The cockpit is protected by ballistic-resistant windscreens and a titanium-armored tub. The cockpit and crew compartment are over-pressurized to protect the crew in NBC conditions

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Czech Air Force Mil Mi-24V Hind attack helicopter assigned to the 221st Helicopter Squadron, 22nd Wing, that was deployed to Namest, Czech Republic, and clad in a Tiger Meet scheme. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 10-3/4-inches
Rotor Span: 9-1/2-inches

Release Date: March 2024

Historical Account: "Tigers" - The 221 LtBVr (221 Squadron) of the 22 ZVrL (22 Wing) is currently based at the Military airfield of Namest. The Unit operates the MIL Mi-24V Hind, one of the latest versions of this more than capable combat / transport Helicopter. Established in 1995, when all Czech Hind squadrons where relocated to Prerov to form the 33rd Wing. 331 Squadron inherited the Traditions of the 1st Squadron / 51st Regiment. In 2001, the Prerov "Tigers" where officially accepted as a full member of the NATO Tiger Association, and won the Silver Tiger Trophy (a trophy rewarded to the best crew during the annual NATO Tiger Meet) in 2002.