Polish Aviation!

 Lots still to Offer?

Poland made a few wise choices when it was part of the Soviet Warsaw pact in that of developing its own aircraft to meet its own military, civil and others middle areas for service and despite a changing world this has continued today with new type of smaller aircraft and adaptions to its newer western jet fighters!

Where it has been successful is in helicopters and agricultural, but now it is moving into the liaison market, with smaller aircraft, the Eagle man, but it is the Sokol helicopter based on the Mil-Mi-4 that just keeps going and is cheaper for many developing countries?

Poland was not very successful developing the Iskra jet trainer, but it did improve its fleet of ageing MIG-17/19 jets with board fairings, something that the Peoples Republic of China followed in!

MIL Mi-24 Helicopter.

Another Unique Design.

That no western design company has followed, and one wonders why?

The Mil helicopter designers are but a few who built helicopters in the former Soviet Union, Kamov and Yakolev were the other two. The Mil's started with the Mi-1 and then just progressed in size up to the Mi-6/10 and on to the most succesful Mi-17/117, Mi-171.

But the origins of the the Mi-24/25-35 have a much different take, it was the Afghanistan wars of the 1970'-80's that called for a combined helicopter roles so that both specialised troops could be got on to an area fast and protected by heavy fire.

The rocket pods on the Mi-8/17 were not suitable, so it was decided to combine two machines into one, transporter and gunship. There have over the years been many variants from the early glazed noses to the present aircraft style canopies. 

The west meantime do not seem to have taken advantage of developing a similar type, but rather have kept to fast transport backed up by supporting helicopter gunships.

Yakolev Yak-24. Horse.

Twin Rotor Helicopters.

Everyone likes to think that it was the Americans who where the first to concieve this type of helicopter, the Boeing-Vertol 107 Knight and the YHC-1B Chinook. Both these machines made their public debut in 1961 and since then it has been the Chinook CH-47 that has taken the field.

But these helicopter platform systems developed by the United States were the end result of an abandoned Soviet project known as the Yak-24, which was developed from 1954. The Soviet army needed a helicopter that could move troops and more than one vehicle to the battle from. A civil version for Aeroflot known as the Yak-24P could carry 39 passengers and fly at 130 mph, cruising at 112mph and a range of 186 miles. It could had a weight ratio of 35-38,500lbs.

Later development of the machines into the 1960's was halted, after stability problems and the Russians felt the development and deployment of the Mil Mi-6/10K was a far better option.

Ski Planes and Floats.

Aircraft and Helicopters with...

Many aircraft and helicopters are capable of operating from ice and water, because they are fitted out for the job. This is seen in both Canada and Russia, were even aircraft up to medium size can be adapted.

 Aircraft from light Cessna's and Pilatus to DHC Beavers and Caribous to dedicated helicopters such as the Mil Mi-14 Haze. operate in hard and difficult conditions to supply essential goods to their respective isolated communities who depend on these types.

Nearly every helicopter can be adapted to carry floatation gear, but the Mil Mi-14 was designed with the hull of a flying boat.

Helicopters SAR.

Search and Rescue.

What are the best helicopters employed for search and rescue operations?

The Sikorsky S-61 and Westland Sea King have probably in the British isles been the best to serve in this role. France has used the Super Frelon, Russia and Eastern European countries the Mil Mi-14/17/117. All basically the same machine with additions added on.

First things with SAR is you need range, you also need capacity. It would be no good going out 250 miles to a tanker sinking fast with 17 crew and a SA-365 Dolphin? 

The U.S. have used a variety of machines, but it looks like the S-92H will be the helicopter for the beginning of this century. Meanwhile Canada has joined many other nations in buying the Westland-Augusta AW-101 Merlin.

Air Ambulance.Part-One.

Helicopters verses Aircraft.

Which is better? 

Both, because one helicopters can recuse/land from/in confined spaces. Aircraft can travel long distances. The Air Ambulance is one of the best invention adaptions in aviation history. From city copters to out back bush flying doctors, a whole host of machine types are employed. Light is perhaps a key essential here in this vital role, while pilot skill is another.

Nearly every nation now employs some form of aircraft to do this role, civil and military. The Cessna generations have proved invaluable in remote areas in Australia, Africa and Equatorial jungle. While the European EC-135/145 Helicopters are the most popular in Air Ambulance roles.

The U.S Sikorsky AH/UH/S-60 and the Russian Mil Mi-17 and derivatives possibly cover all other areas.

Helicopters...

Since the first flight of the helicopter in 1946/7 by Sikorsky in the U.S. This machine has now become the prolific aviation invention so far. It was during the Vietnam war that the helicopter came into its own right, despite being limited in types available for military warfare and medical evacuation as we have to day. These machines made a serious impact on the psyche of all around them.


The Russian Mil Mi-1/2 must be the most commonly built, very basic and slow compared to today, it did allow many countries around the world to get a foot hold in to military aviation.


Today the U.S. AH-60 blackhawk is the symbol of multi-role type, but there are larger machines such as the CH-47, twin rotor, CH-53 Super stallion heavy lift. Meanwhile the Russians have their multirole Mil Mi-24/35, combining both troop transport and gunship. Russia also has the largest helicopter ever built the Mil Mi-26, with eight rotor blades and the capacity to carry at least 100 troops. 


Both Russia and the U.S. learned from Afghanistan and Vietnam the need for helicopters.


Later in the year I hope to return to the subject in more detail.