Canadian Warplanes 7: Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178 helicopter

Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178

(RCAF Photo)

Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178, RCAF (5) (Serial No. 1780405) in Afghanistan, c2010.

(RCAF Photo)

Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178, RCAF (5) (Serial No. 1780407) in Afghanistan, c2010.

Mil-17V5 Hip, CH-178, RCAF (5) (Serial Nos. 1780404, 178405, 178406, and 178407), leased by the Canadian Forces for the Air Task Force in Afghanistan in 2010. Operational at Kandahar airport by May/June 2010. These helicopters may have been airfreighted to Bulgaria in August 2011, with Canadian markings covered in tape. Two Mil-8T, (Serial No. EX503 and EX504) were also on lease, operated by Aviakompaniya Aerostan. Operational from Kandahar airport from 17 November 2008. (CWHM)

The Mil Mi-8 (Russian: Ми-8, NATO reporting name: Hip) is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union, and now produced by Russia. In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. Along with the related, more powerful Mil Mi-17, the Mi-8 is among the world's most-produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries. When combined the two helicopters are the third most common operational military aircraft in the world. (Wikipedia)

(Craig Wiggins Photo)

Another view of thisodd chapter in the RCAF. CH-178 (Mi-17V5) & a CH-146 Griffon helicoptertogether on the KAF ramp summer of 2010. We called it the short bus, at thestart the Griffons escorted the CH-178 on its missions in Afghanistan. (Craig Wiggins)

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