Mil Mi-6 "Hook"
Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant · Soviet Union · first flew 1957 · transport aircraft
The Mil Mi-6 ('Hook' in NATO reporting) was the world's largest helicopter when it first flew in 1957 and held numerous payload and speed records. Its stub wings offload the rotor in cruise, reducing vibration and extending range.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Twin Soloviev D-25V turboshafts in paired nacelles atop fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Enormous single-rotor heavy lift helicopter with stub wings for additional lift
- Twin Soloviev D-25V turboshafts in paired nacelles atop fuselage
- Very large clamshell rear loading ramp
The enormous size, distinctive stub wings extending from mid-fuselage, paired turboshaft nacelles above the rotor head, and the large rear clamshell loading doors make the Mi-6 unmistakable among helicopters.
Specifications
- The Mil Mi-6 has a length of 33.18 m (109 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 35 m (115 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 300 km/h (186 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Mi-6 set 14 world records including a speed record of 340.15 km/h in 1965 that stood for years. It entered Soviet military and civilian service in the early 1960s and was exported widely, serving in numerous conflicts and disaster-relief operations including Chernobyl in 1986.
Variants
The Mi-6A was a minor production improvement; the Mi-22 'Hook-B' was a dedicated flying command post variant with distinctive antenna arrays; the Mi-6PS was a search and rescue version.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Soviet/Russian military and Aeroflot in large numbers; exported to Egypt, Iraq, Peru, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and other nations; some remain in civilian heavy-lift service in Russia and successor states.
Related aircraft
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