The Soviet Union has always been highly accomplished in manufacturing "large" equipment. The world's largest transport aircraft An-225 was made by the Soviet Union. The largest fighter (interceptor) Tu-128 is also a masterpiece of the Red Empire, and the largest non-aircraft surface combat ship in active service. The Kirov-class cruiser, the largest nuclear submarine the Typhoon-class, and the largest strategic bomber Tu-160 are all firmly branded with the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union's enthusiasm for large-scale equipment is reflected in many fields. It is naturally impossible to "do nothing" in the field of helicopters where its own demand is strong. The largest helicopter in service, the Mi-26, is also an authentic Soviet product.
The Soviet Union has a vast territory and a harsh climate. It is difficult to pass in some areas in winter. The requirements for the capacity and hanging capacity of helicopters are getting higher and higher so that it can transfer large quantities of weapons, troops and Ammunition and fuel are quickly transported to the designated location. After experiencing successful or unsuccessful works such as the Mi-6 and Mi-12, the Mi-26 helicopter officially entered service in 1980 and has maintained the record for the largest and heaviest helicopter in active service. In the decades of service, the Mi-26 helicopter has demonstrated its amazing loading and lifting capabilities in events such as the transportation of ice corpses of Siberian mammoths and the Wenchuan disaster relief in China. Its huge figure like a giant steel beast has also made many soldiers. The fans are impressed. Below we will use some comparative pictures to intuitively feel how big the Mi-26 helicopter is currently the largest in service.
Mi-26: I am hoisting everything like a hoisting toy
The picture shows the Mi-26 helicopter preparing to hoist the US Army CH-47 helicopter that was shot down in Afghanistan. The "dry" helicopter was not only badly abused in terms of its size, and it was really shameless, but the "halo" of its excellent external lifting ability was also gone in front of the Mi-26. The length of the Mi-26 helicopter including the rotor can reach 40 meters, the height is more than 8 meters, the main rotor diameter is 32 meters, the main rotor area is over 804 square meters, the maximum take-off weight is about 56 tons, internal and external weight Is it not easy to lift a CH-47 weighing less than 12 tons at more than 20 tons? In fact, the Mi-26 has also been suspended from Su-24 and Su-27. What is the purpose of lifting a Chinook in your area?
The picture shows the Mi-26 helicopter hoisting the Tu-134 passenger aircraft. The aircraft is 37.1 meters long and has an empty weight of more than 20 tons. The Tu-134 passenger aircraft is not easily lifted by the Mi-26. Said, the size seems to be no different from the Mi-26 helicopter, which is enough to prove how terrifying the real size of the Mi-26 helicopter. Tu-134OS: As a passenger plane, I don't want face?
In 2009, the Mi-26 helicopter hoisted the Alingin 5 giant catamaran built for the America’s Cup and transported it from Lake Geneva to the port of Genoa, Italy. This nearly 35-meter-long ship participated in the competition. Under the Mi-26 helicopter, the ship does not show its size at all, but rather resembles a slightly larger toy model.
Mi-26: Other helicopters are slightly behind
The Mi-26 parked in the helicopter group is like a standout group, even if it is a heavy helicopter with a length of about 17 meters. "Hazard", there are only three words to describe in front of Mi-26: not enough to see.
Mi-26: It’s not that people and cars are too small, but I’m too big.
The picture shows the staff standing outside the cabin of the Mi-26 helicopter. There is a gap of about 1 meter, as if standing on the shoulders of a giant can't reach the top of the giant's head, you can imagine how huge the Mi-26 helicopter is.
