Mi-24/35

[Distiller]

Who could have surplus late(r) series Hinds in decent shape these days?

[Levsha]

How about the Czech air force? Didn't they receive some Mi-35s as payment for unpaid debts from Russia? The Czechs would keep them in good condition as well, I'd say.

[Trident]

Surplus AND recent? Difficult, I imagine - operators who have relatively new airframes probably ordered them because they expect to require such a capability for some time to come. Maybe Sri Lanka would be willing to part with some, now that the civil war is over? Not many to be had there, though.

[TR1]

Who could have surplus late(r) series Hinds in decent shape these days?

You uhh...looking to buy?

[Reddor]

It could just be cheaper to just buy new ones than trying to refurbish old stock.

[martinez]

How about the Czech air force? Didn't they receive some Mi-35s as payment for unpaid debts from Russia? The Czechs would keep them in good condition as well, I'd say.

In the recent Czech MOD white book is recommended to phase out/sold all attack Mi-24V/35 helicopters as soon as possible. Blaming them for low balistic protection, obsolete avionics, zero interoperability with NATO systems, not fitting into country defense planning strategies and already starded to bid some old ones. Slovaks grounded the rest of the Mi-24 fleet in november 2011 and looking for buyers as well. Anyway, would be nice to see them flying again somewhere in Africa or else.

http://zpravy.idnes.cz/armadu-ceka-j...1500_domaci_jw
http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/dom...tulniku-mi-24/
http://www.armadninoviny.cz/nechtene...y-mi-2435.html

[El_Indigo]

Low balistic protection ...as apposed to what ? A tank ?

Anything that can fly and still take a punishment from a .57 Cal to a surprise of both the pilots and the beardies and get back home without crashing and to boot without a scratch to the pilot. I would think is very well protected.

[totoro]

low ballistic protection as opposed to other, new, assault helicopters. hind's super heavy armor was always a myth more than anything else. Compared to Cobra, sure, it is probably more armored, but compared to todays helicopters - especially the likes of ka50 or mi28, it really is fairly unprotected.

[El_Indigo]

Taking .57 Cal and still flying isn't a myth. It did so in Afghanistan. The side glass wasn't bullet proof I think that I suppose you could add to "low ballistic protection". Overall that statement is idiotic, the hind is basicly Belladonna's asshole of the rotorcraft. It can take a lot !

[Distiller]

You uhh...looking to buy?

Yeah! I have that obnoxious neighbour, and now that BBQ'ing season starts soon I want to be prepared!!

First I wanted this guy here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QclVGUHvRvE
but they told me he's retired or something.

Now I have to take things into my own hands!

[El_Indigo]

First I wanted this guy herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QclVGUHvRvE
but they told me he's retired or something.

Now I have to take things into my own hands!

I would think anyone who is so arrogant and ruthless, by all account's including his own. Would have done so from the get go ?

[TR1]

low ballistic protection as opposed to other, new, assault helicopters. hind's super heavy armor was always a myth more than anything else. Compared to Cobra, sure, it is probably more armored, but compared to todays helicopters - especially the likes of ka50 or mi28, it really is fairly unprotected.

Well Ka-50 and Mi-28 are about as heavy as it gets when it comes to helicopter survivability, so compared to the vast majority of attack helos worldwide I would think the Hind compares very favorably. RuAF has been repeatedly satisfied with its protection in many aspects, and it has decades of operational and wartime experience with the Krokodil.

[Levsha]

Low balistic protection ...as apposed to what ? A tank ?

Anything that can fly and still take a punishment from a .57 Cal to a surprise of both the pilots and the beardies and get back home without crashing and to boot without a scratch to the pilot. I would think is very well protected.

.57 cal? You mean 14.5 mm? Lots of helicopters have survived it, including Hueys in the SE Asia war and Apaches in Afghanistan, or even Mi-8s as well.

[El_Indigo]

Pretty sure Mi-8 were brought done by .57 Cal. I highly doubt Hueys and Apaches would fare any better. Certainly not a barrage from a .57 cal.

Heck, weren't all three of the heli's susceptible to 7.62×39mm rounds ?

[Levsha]

Well, according to this list, one Mi-24 was lost to small arms fire, compared to none for the Apache:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...in_Afghanistan

But these statistics are basically meaningless. An AH-64 is designed to survive small arms fire, including 14.5 mmm and RPG-7, by not flying within range of such weapons. Why do you think the Apache carries a 30 mm gun, and all that expensive electronics, laser rangefinders, night-vision, etc?

More Chinooks have been shot down than Apaches - wonder why?

[El_Indigo]

Well, according to this list, one Mi-24 was lost to small arms fire, compared to none for the Apache:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...in_Afghanistan

But these statistics are basically meaningless. An AH-64 is designed to survive small arms fire, including 14.5 mmm and RPG-7, by not flying within range of such weapons. Why do you think the Apache carries a 30 mm gun, and all that expensive electronics, laser rangefinders, night-vision, etc?

More Chinooks have been shot down than Apaches - wonder why?

I said they took a punishment from .57 Cal. I never said it couldn't be brought down by it. It was never meant to take a .57 Cal ..but it did and quite well at that.

And nice source mate somehow Apache's keep crashing but it's not mentioned even why ? I agree on the last part though, but why you even brought that up i have no idea.