Mil Mi-24 "Hind" (USSR)

Symbol of the Soviet "threat", the Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter was operated by the Soviet Air Force since 1972. A heavily armed and armoured gunship, the Mi-24 is also fast and capable of transporting 8 passengers. It became world famous due to is extensive use during the Soviet-Afghan war. At the end of 1990, the Soviet Army had 1,420 Mi-24s and it was also utilised by several other Warsaw Pact armies.

The models from Easy Models mounted and painted kits and was only slightly repainted. (made 2015)

Mil Mi-8 Hip (USSR)

Introduced into the Soviet Air Force in 1967, the rugged Mil Mi-8 twin-turbine helicopters is used by over 50 countries and is among the world's most-produced helicopters. It is still one of the most common operational military aircraft one the world. In addition to carrying 24 troops, it can be armed according to the version of several unguided rocket pods, several 12.7 mm machine gun and AT-2 Swatter Anti-tank guided missiles. The Mi-8 is the main workhorse of Soviet air assault units.

The models are from Easy Models mounted and painted kits, which, when available at a good price and with some addition and repainting are perfectly menacing on the wargaming table. (made 2015)

Aérospatiale Alouette II (Belgium)

The Aérospatiale Alouette II is French produced light helicopter. First production helicopters powered by a gas turbine, the Alouette II was widely used and very popular, more tan 1300 exemplars being produced between 1956 and 1975. Between 1959 and 1967, the Belgian Army acquired a total of 81 Alouette II. They were utilised in liaison and reconnaissance duties. The last one was finally retired in 2009.

© Christian Bray

© Christian Bray

© Christian Bray

The model is a repainted diecast one from Amercon. (made 2014)

Westland Scout (UK)

Developed by Westland Helicopters, the Scout light helicopter was in service with the Army Air Corps of the British Army from 1963 until 1994. The Scout was mainly utilised in observation and liaison duties, but in 1982 it was used in a more offensive role during the Falklands campaign being armed with ATGWs and a pintle-mounted GPMG.

A fairly old model, the Airfix Westland Scout is still the only one in 1:72 scale. It show it's age but is nevertheless a very nice little model. (made 2017)

Bell OH-58D Kiowa (USA)

Change of perspective with this topic on the OH-58D Kiowa helicopter. Started almost a year ago, it was only yesterday taught I finally decided to finish this kit. A single-engine, single-rotor family helicopters, the Bell OH-58 Kiowa was used by the US Army from 1969 to 2017 in the observation, utility and direct fire support roles. Coming into service from 1985, the OH-58D reconnaissance variant was an upgraded version with a new transmission and engine giving the aircraft the power needed for nap-of-the-earth flight profiles and a new four-bladed main rotor much quieter than the previous two-bladed one. Externally more distinctive, the OH-58D introduced the Mast-Mounted Sight above the rotor system which enabled operations in day/night and adverse weather conditions with limited vision and the target acquisition from relative cover.

The kit is from Revell. A simple kit but a good enough representation of this helicopter in the 1980s, at the time unarmed. (made 2020)