So ... How do you use the Mi-8?

[dooom]

At risk of sounding contentious with this one, but i really am trying to find a spot for the Mi-8 in my gameplay.

 

I have the Ka50, the UH-1H and the Mi-8... but I have to admit that I struggle with finding any sustained "joy" flying the magnificent 8.

 

The Ka50 allows me to be a stealth killer - I love plotting my ingress - using the ABRIS to set way points and mark threats and get in close to kill the SAM and heavy armor threats.

 

The UH-1H has infinite play-ability for me with the "fist of god"-like flex sight and mini-guns. Running a racetrack around the AO is a blast and inserting troops is fun too.

 

The Mi-8, with its fixed armament feels very restrictive.... even with future AI gunners as a possibility, I will still have to fly a dangerous head on aspect to my targets for any kill.

 

I'd like to ask how the aficionados of the 8 are playing with it now... how are you using it in a way that offers new game play that the ka50 or huey doesn't? I have already bought the sim to support Belsimtek but would appreciate some ideas on how to get pumped up over the title.

 

My apologies if the post comes off as rude - its not my intention.

 

Thanks for the inspiration in advance! :thumbup:

[Slazi]

It's a perfectly good question. The Mi-8 is very difficult to use in combat. It is an easy target with limited range.

 

But this is also what makes it fun. You have to fly it in a completely different way. When fighting any serious threats, you have to rocket from a distance. If you get close, you're dead.

 

The Mi-8 is a great transport helo. It can carry a ton of troops - 30 according to wikipedia.

 

It shouldn't be used as a dedicated attack helicopter.

[xxJohnxx]

It is a troop transporter. The armament seems to be more of an additional feature. And altough it can do lot's of damage, the Mi-8 seems best used to fly in troops and equipment.

[dahui]

Thats the point... Its something different, than the agil Huey and BlackShark.

You cant push it around like a small combat helo. you have to be carefull with the power setting, the approach etc. And that is what is interesting for me. When then the Sling Load feature is implemented, i will fly nothing else than the hip... maybe the Huey from time to time then :D

[Cibit]

Its a bus, you can fly it anywhere and carry large loads or lots of passengers but as an offensive weapon give me a KA50 or a hind.

In a 3rd world scenario where little AAA can be expected the rockets have great area weapon capacity. But I dont imagine too many CAS or Ground Attack missions will be available to the HIP when so many other airframes are better suited.

 

Oh and as an anti submarine platform it is 2nd to non:)

 

 

IMHO to get the most from it try these missions

Mbots ASW mission http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=116135

Airwars Tootal mission http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2037696&postcount=53

And Wolle's Helicopter Wars http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1977008&postcount=5

 

 

But it is still my favourite aircraft currently available within DCS. I love all aspects of it and attempting to master its intricacies.:thumbup:

[eurofor]

It's an armed transport helicopter. I can understand the confusion if you're trying to use it as an attack helicopter. However, it isn't really less capable than the UH-1H in combat.

 

There's no DCS aircraft I enjoy more than the Mi-8 right now. What I do is I set up small transport and SAR missions in the ME with varying levels of hostility on the ground. I use the navigation/homing systems to fly to different locations for drop-offs/pick-ups and engage infantry, manpads, unarmoured and light armoured vehicles. The Mi-8 does this beautifully. Often I also fly unarmed and it is no less fun because so much of the joy is in just flying the thing. The flight model is stunning.

 

Some tips. Try more transport-type missions like you do with the UH-1H. Make sure you are not putting the Mi-8 against a too difficult opposition (e.g. MBT's and heavy SAMS because it would not be used to attack such targets in reality). And (if you haven't already) learn to use all the systems available to you in the cockpit, I find that it adds a lot of enjoyment.

[Vedexent]

We've been trying some objective based squadron missions using the Mi-8: it's not about kill scores but accomplishing a specific objective.

 

For example: We've been trying a civilian rescue scenario from a "hot zone". The idea is to get the Mi-8 onto the landing zone long enough to get all the civilians aboard (and back to base) - while a brace of Ka-50s is flying combat escort (and of course there are enemy infantry units in the town as well), and there is a fixed wing running as observer/CAS. In theory we could throw in some enemy CAP and a fighter strike as well, but we haven't tried that, yet.

 

The Mi-8 isn't really a combat element, but it's the centerpiece of the mission, and the Mi-8 pilot does have to thread through the combat zone without getting pasted (with Ka-50 help, of course), and of course the landing zone itself is tricky landing and under morter fire, just to make things fun for the Hip pilot :)

[Pikey]

The only way to answer this is to look in your toolbox at home and ask yourself if you prefer to use a hammer or a screwdriver when performing a random job.

 

So you say, "That's silly, it's not a random job!"

 

But we all play in a sandbox, it is a random job, with a sandbox it's all about creating the job around the tool or the tool around the job, but ultimately never sticking to just trying the same job with all the different tools because we lose the unlimited appeal of a sandbox.

 

:D

[Vedexent]

it's all about creating the job around the tool or the tool around the job, but ultimately never sticking to just trying the same job with all the different tools because we lose the unlimited appeal of a sandbox.:D

 

Wise words indeed :)

[dooom]

Has anyone noticed if the CTTS script will allow the hip to keep loading troops until capacity is filled?

 

I might make some sar/transport combo missions with Huey to give it a boo.

 

Awesome feedback guys.. Thanks

[Cibit]

The version of CTTS I use only has one action for load/unload in the F10 menu. Maybe some additional scripting could help.

[26-J39]

It's a perfectly good question. The Mi-8 is very difficult to use in combat. It is an easy target with limited range.

 

But this is also what makes it fun. You have to fly it in a completely different way. When fighting any serious threats, you have to rocket from a distance. If you get close, you're dead.

 

The Mi-8 is a great transport helo. It can carry a ton of troops - 30 according to wikipedia.

 

It shouldn't be used as a dedicated attack helicopter.

 

:thumbup:

 

Lobbing crap-loads of rockets from a distance is the way to go.. :D

[Yurgon]

The only way to answer this is to look in your toolbox at home and ask yourself if you prefer to use a hammer or a screwdriver when performing a random job.

 

So you say, "That's silly, it's not a random job!"

 

But we all play in a sandbox, it is a random job, with a sandbox it's all about creating the job around the tool or the tool around the job, but ultimately never sticking to just trying the same job with all the different tools because we lose the unlimited appeal of a sandbox.

 

:D

 

Great way to put it, well said! :thumbup:

 

As for Mi-8 employment, the Spring Tension campaign does a pretty good job of showing the various mission types it's used for. There are combat elements to some of the missions, but the majority is about transporting stuff and people. Except for a mission I'm stuck in right now, it's an awesome campaign.

[badger66]

I would use it for medevac , troop transport and slinging arty around the field .

 

Be nice if , by selecting a medevac skin it would also choose a medevac interior .

[Dun_Aenghus]

I purchased the Mi8 recently and I've just been getting to grips with basic flight. But so far, I've been highly impressed and intimidated by the helicopter in equal measure. I can't imagine someone would have more fun or find more uses for a DCS: Blackhawk module, right? Unless it modelled hellfires of course. Door gunners are going to arrive for the Mi8 at some stage, right?

[Slazi]

We're hoping door gunners will be implemented. Definitely something I'd like to see. Lots of good stuff ahead for DCS pilots in general.

[badger66]

I just bought Ka-50 , Huey and Mi8 ..... a couple weeks ago . Ive decided to shelf them until I get pedels which will be shortly anyway .

 

Its a real pain in the ass to control without them .

[Scrim]

You said it man. When I first bought the Huey, I didn't even have a stick. No stick, no thrust thingy, no pedals, no nothing, just the keyboard. What a nightmare :P

[eurofor]

Here's another mission (SAR) you could try:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=123195

[BaD CrC]

A perfect example of a combined operation with ka50 and mi8: mi8 pick up commando troops then drop them to provide cover during an extraction of personnel. During this time, ka50 are clearing the lz area then provide cover against incoming ennemy convoys.

 

Edited April 19, 2014 by BaD CrC

[Weta43]

If you are going ot do CAS, the trick is don't get too close. If you fly down the throat of something with a big gun - you'll get ripped up. The 23mm cannons have the range to take out a BTR-80 despite that 14.5mm AA MG, and the rockets hit just as hard as if you launched them from an Su-25...

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