Category: Helicopters

In January 1995, the EC-135 helicopter made its first public appearance at the Heli-Expo convention in Las Vegas, at which prospective buyers were reportedly impressed by the appearance and performance. Another feature that became apparent after entering service was the low noise level, partly due to the fenestron tail. The EC-135 has been the quietest…

In 1981, the Mi-14 PŁ and Mi-14 PS versions were purchased for the Polish Navy. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 10 Mi-14 PŁ and 3 Mi-14 PS in the Polish Army (Navy).

The first Mil Mi-8 helicopters were purchased for the Polish Army in 1967. They were bought for tasks for rapid response units. They were supposed to quickly deliver assault platoons with medium-caliber armaments instead of fighting. Then these helicopters were to support the army from the air. Finally, they were to evacuate the wounded from…

In the times of People’s Poland, state-owned companies initially used Mi-8 helicopters belonging to the Polish Army. Later, several new Mi-8 helicopters were purchased, including by Aeropol and Instal. After the socio-economic changes, companies bought Mi-8 helicopters from the secondary market.

The Mil Mi-8 (Ми-8, NATO reporting name: Hip) is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by CCCP, 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…

When, after the death of Pope John Paul, the Conclave on October 16, 1978, chose Cardinal Karol Wojtyła from "a distant country" to succeed him, the communists fell in fear not only in Warsaw, but also in Moscow. They tried to kill the new Pope John Paul II, and if they failed, they would discredit…

The Mil Mi-4 (NATO name "Hound") was a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles. The Mi-4 was designed in response to the American Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw and the deployment of U.S. helicopters during the Korean War. While the Mi-4 superficially resembles the H-19 Chickasaw, it is a larger helicopter and…

In a relatively short time, the team of WSK PZL Świdnik designers developed a new helicopter for the Western market. Therefore, the helicopter has two names: PZL Kania and PZL Kitty Hawk. Under the latter name, the helicopter was promoted in the West. If the helicopter were to be used in the West, it would…

In 1969, the first version of the Polish helicopter was created for military sea rescue. Until then, the pilot of a combat plane catapulting over the Baltic Sea could only count on rescue from vessels. This, of course, took a long time. The use of a helicopter in a rescue operation in a jump-like manner…

On December 29, 1966, the 74th Liaison-Sanitary Aviation Regiment adopted the first Mi-2 helicopter, starting its service in the Polish Army, which continues to this day (2018). The helicopters did not stand out from the civilian Mi-2 T helicopters, designed to carry 8 people or cargo weighing up to 700 kg inside the cabin. The…