The next in the superb Red Star series is this one on the Mil-8/17 series. These helicopters are probably the most successful Russian rotary-wing aircraft every developed. Accurately described in the text as the 'Kalashnikov of helicopters' it is used in large numbers by the Russians and exported to a huge number of foreign countries, the Mi-8/17 series provides excellent performance at a cost that is substantially less than what is asked of similar Western helicopters.

#14 of the very popular 'Red Star' series, the authors have gone to great lengths to research this most popular of Russian helos. There is a full developmental history of the type and a run-down of each of the many and varied subtypes that have been developed from the basic helicopter.

Most fascinating to this reader are the sections on the operational use of the 'Hip' in various conflicts, including a rather large section on its use in the Soviet conflict with Afghanistan. This was a conflict where, without the Mi-8, the Russians would have been in most dire straits. The other listings of places where the Mi-8/17 have been used in battle is really quite remarkable, including  Arab-Iraeli wars, Indo-Pakistani conflicts and the Chechen wars. On the other side of things, the aircraft has also been used in numerous humanitarian situations by the United Nations. Despite being a design that is over 40 years old, the helicopter is still being produced and upgraded.

Typical of Red Star books, this edition includes a wealth of superb photographs and several pages of full color images in the back showing both military and civil variants. There is also a 'walk-around' section that goes into detail on the aircraft's systems and points of interest. There is also a section that compares the Hip with similar helicopters produced elsewhere in the world such as the Puma and H-60. Finally, there is a listing of all the different countries that operate the Mi-8/17 in both military and civil capacities and the listing is quite long!

This is a book that all helo enthusiasts must have on their shelves. It is that good.

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