Russian Helicopters, the Oboronprom subsidiary (Rostec) presented unique archive photographs of Kamov and Mil enterprises within the exhibition devoted to the 90 years of Russian civil aeronautics. The exhibition was opened in the F terminal of Moscow Sheremetyevo airport and was called “Civil aeronautics in Russia – 90 years in the sky and on the ground”.
February, 9 was the day of Russian civil aeronautics. The anniversary exhibition has the unique photographs of Russian civil aircrafts and rotorcrafts that made the history of passenger and cargo transportation in Russia. The exposition displays rare photo shoots from the 1930s to the present day depicting landmarks in the aviation history from the first developments to the newest machines.
Helicopter industry holds a specific place in the country’s civil aeronautics history. Mil and Kamov are the genius aircraft designers that laid the foundation for the sector to shape and strengthen Russian helicopter aviation in the 1950s-1960s. Their names are widely known around the world and have become a real Russian brand.
The expo shows everyday life of the people, who created and exploited the rotorcraft equipment. Nikolay Kamov discusses the working issues next to the Ka-18 which won Golden medal at Brussels international exhibition in 1958. Mi-12 ultra-heavy helicopter prototype is being loaded, soon it will set a world record, which is still unsurpassed: lift a 40 t cargo at a 2000 m altitude. Here is another top performer, Ka-26, which set 5 world records. Another photo shows delicately shaped silvery V-7, the only rotorcraft in the world with turbojets mounted on the blade tips. Of course, there is a portrait of the Mi-4, country’s main cargo helicopter, it is landing on a building roof in Moscow. Mi-4 had passenger, medical and agriculture versions along with the cargo and 3852 rotorcrafts were produced in total.
Helicopters are essential in the civil aviation due to their manoeuvring ability, capability of landing on the unequipped grounds and fuel-efficiency. For many civil missions they are more preferable than airplanes as they are capable of landing and taking off vertically. Mil told, “Russian was made for helicopters”. Rotorcrafts conduct a wide range of the transport tasks, they are employed in everyday life by the oilfield workers and other specialists working in the inaccessible areas. Helicopters are used for people saving, firefighting and remedying the consequences of natural disasters.
Russian helicopter design school has long history and glorious traditions. Soviet designers made great civil aviation developments and many of them still don’t have any analogues. Russian Helicopters believes that the anniversary exhibition will enhance the image of Russian helicopter design for the widest audience.
The holding continues to evolve the traditions laid by Russian designers. Nowadays the company supplies leading Russian and international operators of civil rotorcraft equipment and various departments with its multipurpose helicopters. Russian helicopters keep serving for the planet.
Source: aviaport.ru
Image source: Aleksandra Lessa/ TASS news photography
