Mil Mi-10 "Harke"
Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant · Soviet Union · first flew 1960 · transport aircraft
The Mil Mi-10 is a Soviet heavy flying-crane helicopter designed to carry outsized external loads slung beneath its tall quadricycle undercarriage. It was used extensively for construction, pipeline laying, and heavy-lift operations.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Five-blade rotor above a pod fuselage on stilts |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Flying-crane helicopter with tall quadricycle undercarriage
- Large payload hook beneath wide-set legs
- Five-blade rotor above a pod fuselage on stilts
The Mi-10 is unmistakable: four very tall fixed undercarriage legs raising the fuselage well above the ground, a central sling hook, and the large five-blade rotor shared with the Mi-6 are definitive identifiers.
Specifications
- The Mil Mi-10 has a length of 32.86 m (108 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 35 m (115 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 235 km/h (146 mph).
- Typical crew: 3–5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1960, the Mi-10 shared its twin Soloviev D-25V turboshaft powerplant and five-blade rotor system with the Mi-6. The tall fixed undercarriage allowed the helicopter to straddle large loads and lower them precisely. It entered Soviet service in 1963.
Variants
The Mi-10K 'flying crane' variant added a rear-facing pilot gondola beneath the nose for precise load placement. The Mi-10P was a passenger version with an enclosed cargo pod that could be fitted between the undercarriage legs.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Aeroflot for heavy construction and industrial work across the Soviet Union, including Siberian pipeline projects. The Russian Air Force and various civilian operators continue to use surviving examples for heavy-lift tasks.
Related aircraft
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