TopShots Ser.: Mi-24 D/W by Dariusz Warszawski and Krzysztof Barcz (2010, Paperback)
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated from 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations.
The core of the aircraft was derived from the Mil Mi-8. Original versions have an angular greenhouse-style cockpit; Model D and later have a characteristic tandem cockpit with a "double bubble" canopy. The body is heavily armored and can resist impacts from .50 caliber (12.7 mm) rounds from all angles, including the titanium rotor blades. The cockpit is an even more heavily armored titanium tub and can resist impact from 37mm cannon rounds.
Considerable attention was given to making the Mi-24 fast. The airframe was streamlined and fitted with retractable tricycle undercarriage landing gear to reduce drag. The wings provide considerable lift at high speed, up to a quarter of total lift.
This Monograph covers this assault helicopter. Included are 145 color photos, many of them close-ups, featuring markings and codes, and Techmod decals to cover 3 aircraft in 1:72, 1:48 and 1:35 scales, making this an ideal publication for the modeler.