Microaviation Nr.7. – the helicopters off Polish Navy

Designed in the 1960s in the USSR, the Mi-14 was based on the Mi-8 multipurpose helicopter, but was designed to fly over seas in anti-submarine, rescue and anti-mine missions. Due to the special shape of the fuselage, Mi-14 can land on water and stay on the surface, and take off from water. The prototype at first took off on August 1, 1967. In 1973 - 1986 produced 273 helicopters of three versions (Mi-14PL - anti-submarine warfare, Mi-14PS - rescue and Mi-14T - towing-trawling). More than 100 units were exported to the Republic of Poland, the German Democratic Republic, the Republic of Bulgaria, Libya and Syria. Poland bought 17 Mi-14 helicopters in 1981-1990, of which 12 were PL versions, 5 were PS. At the beginning of 21st century all helicopters of the PL version (10 units) were modernized to the version Mi-14PLMK, and in 2010-2011 two of them were converted into the rescue version Mi-14PL/R. They served in the aviation of the Polish Navy until 2021. From the publication it is possible to make a model of the Mi-14PLMK version of the helicopter, numbered A1001. He served in the anti-submarine unit, the model is painted in commemorative camouflage for the 50th anniversary of the Darlov Naval Air Base. The helicopter was purchased in 1981, and since 2003 it has served in the 29th Aviation Squadron of the Military Fleet in Darlov.

Construction of the W-3 “Sokol” multi-purpose helicopter began in the seventies of 20th century. Initially, it was supposed to be an enlarged version of the Mi-2, but already at the beginning of the design work it became clear, that it would be a completely new machine. The first prototype took off on May 6, 1982. Over 150 helicopters have been produced since 1987. They produce in many versions for Polish and foreign customers. One of the most interesting versions of “Sokol” is “Anakonda”. The W-3RM helicopter was built in 1991 as a search and rescue machine, that can operate both over land and at sea. The Polish Navy purchased 8 “Anakondas” (including helicopters, converted from the transport version). Since 2014 these helicopters have been successfully modernized according to the W-3WARM standard. The prototype of the helicopter, that the model reproduces from the magazine, is the W-3WARM version machine No. 360813 for sea rescue missions. 0813 was purchased by the Polish Navy in 1998, and since 2011 it has been in service at the 43rd Naval Aviation Base in Gdynia.

Models can be made in simpler and more complex (with cockpit equipment and transparent glasses) versions. The models are not very simple, but, when working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, they will be perfectly glued even by modelers with little experience. There should be no room for haste and inattention here, and a lot of work will certainly be required. But You will have two great models in the collection.