Mi-24A

Mi-24A

EE

ALB

RD

The Mi-24A introduced in Wargame: European Escalation as Gunship Helicopter is the second production model of the Mil Mi-24 "Hind", the Soviet attack and transport helicopter. In Wargame: AirLand Battle, Mi-24A was re-rolled to Transport Helicopter.

History[]

"Hind" is the NATO code for Mi-24 series, while Soviet Russians mostly nicknamed them "Krokodil".

Late 1960s, in studying the possibilities of helicopter design and the experience of other countries, Mikhail Leontyevich Mil came to the conclusion that a well-armed and armoured battle helicopter was required to increase the mobility of the Soviet Army. It had to be capable of transporting cargos and paratroopers – a kind of flying armoured car. In contrast to the American army, in which troop transport helicopters operated with cover from assault helicopters, Mikhail decided to create a vehicle that could handle both these tasks on its own.

The engineers at the Mil design bureau already had considerable experience in developing helicopters, and had performed several experiments in transforming transport helicopters into assault helicopters, as heavy armed versions of the Mi-8 were in service in those years. This meant that after military officials approved the concept of an assault-transport helicopter, the team immediately got to work. In the summer of 1969, literally a year after the work had begun, the Mil engineers presented a prototype for testing. This new helicopter, called V-24 at the time, designed primary as an anti-tank weapon. A total of 24 prototypes were made, and production began in 1970.

The first version of the Mi-24 already had the features found in the later series-produced versions, the Mi-24D. The characteristic silhouette for which the Mi-24 was dubbed "Hind", two TVZ-117 turboshaft engines, retractable landing gear, a cargo bay for paratroopers and wings for mounting weaponry. However, there were differences also. The tail rotor on the Mi-24A was placed on the right – it was only moved to the left side in 1974. A single cabin was mounted on the Mi-24A with a flat glass, a so-called "Veranda" in which the WSO and the pilot could sit side-by-side with a slight offset, while in 1975 would appear the Hind-D with the now traditional attack cockpit in a tandem configuration. The main difference was the armament. By the time the Mi-24 was created, the weaponry that the military demanded – modern Shturm ATGMs and a rapid-firing MG (which will be four-barrel Yak-B 12.7mm MG) for the rotating nose turret – was not yet ready. The first versions of the Mi-24 were equipped with the Falanga-MV ATGM with manual aiming, the single-barrel Afanasev A-12.7 (not the NSVT in-game, which is a tank MG) in a turret with limited mobility on the nose and a simple collimator sight, and unguided rockets or up to 1000 kg of bombs on the wing hardpoints.

The Mi-24A entered Soviet Air Force service in 1972, and was seen for first time by NATO in East Germany. Quite a lot of the vehicles were built – along with the training versions, over 240 in total.

Overview and tactics[]

European Escalation[]

Cheap, sturdy and with a vast array of weapons, the Mi-24A is an excellent addition to start the Mi-24 family; while its AP capabilities are somewhat poor, it can still bring enough punch, morale damage and hitpoints to stand it's ground.
The Mi-24A can be considered the air version of the T-55; it's not going to get high scores against heavy armor forces, but it can still bring sustantial firepower to the table and it works as a meatshield for costier units such the higher tiered Mi-24 versions and the Mi-28 Havoc.
Of the few helicopters with an armor value, the Mi-24 family is the cheapest, allowing them to be massed. As long as you don't show your tail, they will be able to withstand a lot of damage from machine guns, allowing them to punish enemies who did not invest in dedicated AA.

Despite Mi-24A was an attack helicopter in European Escalation, it can be inferred that Mi-24A was intended to be used as a transport vehicle at that time, as its icon style was consistent with them.

Red Dragon[]

Since the mounted MG is not an autocannon or a gatling gun, but just an ordinary MMG with limited firing angle, while the 57mm rockets only have 1 HE Power, Mi-24A should not be expected to destroy any massed enemy infantry, but just suppress them. After all, Mi-24A now is just a transport vehicle.

Weapons[]

European Escalation[]

Weapons
Type	HMG	Rocket Pod	ATGM
Name	NSVT	S-5	Falanga
Caliber	12.7mm	57mm	MCLOS
Ammo	x 1200 rounds	x 64 rockets	x 4 missiles
Range	Ground = 1225 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m	Ground = 2450 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m	Ground = 2450 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
Accuracy	3	2	3
AP Power	0	0	12
HE Power	1	1	0
Rate of fire	500 r/min	73 r/min	30 r/min

Red Dragon[]

Weapons
Type	MMG	Rocket Pod	ATGM
Name	NSVT	S-5M	Falanga
Caliber	12.7mm	57mm	MCLOS
Ammo	x 1200	x 64	x 4
Range	Ground = 1050 m Helicopters = 875 m Airplanes = N/A m	Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m	Ground = 2450 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
Accuracy	15%	15%	30%
Stabilizer	5%	5%	20%
AP Power	N/A	N/A	13
HE Power	.75	1	N/A
Suppression	90	132	150
Rate of fire	588 r/min	120 r/min	1 s r/min

Mi-24A

Contents

History[]

Overview and tactics[]

European Escalation[]

Red Dragon[]

Weapons[]

European Escalation[]

Red Dragon[]

Gallery[]

See also[]