Though attack helicopters were probably 'invented' by the French when dealing with their war in Algeria, it was the US that made the biggest use of them in Vietnam. Originally starting with, like the French,  the adaption of standard transport helicopters, the need was seen for dedicated attack helicopter. So was developed the Cobra, a type still in use today by the USMC and by nations around the world.

The Soviets saw that they had fallen behind in developming a similar aircraft and that in a European war, the Cobra would be a deadly adversary for ground troops and especially armor. While the Soviets also adapted standard transport helos, none were particularly viable platforms. It was decided to also develop a dedicated attack helo.

As usual, they went about it in a different way. They wanted the helicopter to be able to carry troops as well so the only real option was a development of a transport helo, so it was based on the engines and drive of the Mi-8. The rest, as they say, is history.

Mushroom Models has been producing their excellent monographs for years. They come in a variety of sizes depending on the subject. The Mi-24 and its export version, the Mi-35, are such that one of the smaller book sizes simply would not do. So it is that we have a very large and very informative book that has all the plusses of previous monographs, but more of it.

As usual, there is a full developmental history of the aircraft as well as descriptions of all the variants that have been produced. There is information on all the prototypes, including those that never made it into full production and test aircraft. This includes second party upgrades offered by other nations. We get a look at all the various systems of the aircraft and something on the nations that have flown it. There is a large section of close-ups taken of both active and museum aircraft, a part of the series we have all come to expect. In addition there are several pages of large color profiles.

It is a superb work and if you have only one book on the Hind, then this is the one to get.

December 2017

Review book courtesy of Mushroom Models Publications where you can order your copy. Australian readers can get theirs from Platypus Publications, and US readers from Casemate Publishing.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.