Trumpeter 1/35 Mil Mi-8MT/Mi-17 Hip H |  | Overview  The Mil Mi-8 helicopter has several distinctions in its history. Although it is not the most numerous helicopter out there, it definitely outpaces those in its size/weight class, with over 11,000 produced to date and production still ongoing (the UH-1 family is currently the leader, but not by much, with roughly 13,000 built). It also holds the distinction of being the only helicopter to perform every role that helicopters were designed for, including scheduled passenger service, cargo, VIP transport, attack, SAR, firefighting, and much more. What this means for modelers is that there is no lack of interesting and colorful schemes for this kit.
 The Kit
Trumpeter has definitely become known for doing nice large-scale kits, and this is no exception. Molded in light gray plastic, this kit is packed into its box, with nine sprues, two of which are clear, as well as photoetch details. As we have come to expect from Trumpeter, the parts all feature finely recessed detailing that includes rivets. There doesn't appear to be any future variant changes, as the main fuselage has some sensors molded in place, but that by no means limits the modeler as this particular variant is the most prolific of the Mi-8  family. The detailing in this kit is extensive, and the instructions waste no time in dropping you right in the thick of things. The kit comes with a pair of nicely done engines, each of which consists of no less than 21 pieces. The intakes and exhausts are in two halves and separate from everything else, so it should be easy to eliminate the seams. These fit onto the roof top, which then goes on top of the cabin roof.  Speaking of the cabin, this kit comes with a full interior, both in the cockpit and in the main cabin. The cockpit seats are quite detailed, each made from four pieces, with photoetch seatbelts. The instrument panels come with clear faces and acetate instruments that fit into a separate instrument panel hood. The rest of the cockpit has similar levels of detail throughout. The overhead instrument panel cluster has a center section and two sidewalls that fit onto an overhead piece that incorporates the prominent quilting. Also fitting into this overhead panel are a pair of cooling fans made up from photoetch blades and injection motors and mounts.
 The bulkhead that separates the cockpit from the main cabin is also well detailed, with two main pieces and a separate door. The cabin interior is a combination of molded in detail in the fuselage halves and separate floor and ceiling pieces. The one downside to this kit is that there are several ejector pin marks on the fuselage interior halves, which will be a bit of a challenge to fill. However, if you close the rear clamshell doors, these will not be very visible.
 Exterior detailing is extensive as well. The exterior mirrors have photoetch braces, with plastic mirrors. These will benefit greatly from some kitchen foil for the mirror faces. The side fuel tanks have wonderful molded detail on them, and have separate fuel filler caps. The side armor for the cockpits are separate, as are the side windows and front navigation lights. The engine panels can be posed open or closed, with the appropriate actuator arms provided for the open position.
 The rotors have plenty of detail molded in, both in the blades and in the hub. The same goes for the tail rotor assembly. The tail rotor assembly, in fact, is done in such a way so as to be able to position the rotor on either side, depending on which Mi-8 version you want to do. Check your references for the specific helicopter you want to model and adjust it accordingly. The main rotor is complex, with 31 pieces, and will look very good when finished.
 The decals are printed by Cartograf and are nicely done. Three options are provided, all from the 1990s. The first one is a Slovak Air Force Mi-17 camouflaged in red brown and field green over light gray. This helicopter has SFOR markings and white patches along the main fuselage. The second option is a Czech Mi-17, also in SFOR markings, from 1997. This one is camouflaged in dark gray, light gray, and gray-green, also with white patches on the fuselage. The final option is the scheme shown on the boxtop, a Mi-8MT of the 535th Composite Transport Regiment based at Rostov-Central in December 1993. This helicopter is camouflaged in light stone and gray-green, with a patch of dark green where the number goes on the fuselage.
Conclusion This is an outstanding kit that is bound to become very popular with modelers. Since the Mi-8/Mi-17 has operated on just about every continent and in roughly 50 country's air forces, there will undoubtedly be many aftermarket decal sheets in the future, and probably resin weapons sets and interior fittings for different marks. While a large helicopter, the excellent detailing throughout will satisfy most builders. My thanks to Stevens International for the review sample. |
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