Mil Mi-10

The Mil Mi-10, NATO reporting name Harke, is a Soviet military transport helicopter of flying crane configuration, developed from the Mi-6 and entering service in 1963. Work began in February 1958 to carry bulky loads that could not fit into the cabin of the Mi-6, and the first experimental helicopter flew in June 1960. It reuses the Mi-6 rotor system and two Soloviev D-25 turboshaft engines of 5,500 shaft horsepower, but sits on a tall four-legged undercarriage so that it can straddle its load, and it has no short wings. It was built as the long-legged Mi-10 and as the short-legged Mi-10K, which carries a pilot in a gondola under the nose to watch the slung load. Production of both variants reached 55 machines by the end of 1971, and in May 1965 a modified Mi-10 lifted 25 tonnes to 2,840 metres, an absolute record.