PZL Mil Mi-2 URP - Completing the set of light helicopters? Possible future module?

[Avimimus]

I think it would be neat if Polychop kept specialising in light helicopters. They will have an American one and a Western European one, but we will still be missing an Eastern European counterpart. The only real opportunity to do this is the PZL Mil Mi-2.

Why the Mil Mi-2 is a worthwhile addition:

1) It is the closest Soviet equivalent to the light NATO helicopters (e.g. OH-58, Sa-342, Bo-105). Although it is slower at 210 km/h, with a lower disk loading, its payload and role put it in the lighter utility helicopter category (good for spotting, medivac gameplay etc.)

2) It is the next most produced Soviet helicopter at ~5500 examples (after the Mi-8 with ~17,000 built and the Mi-24 with ~2650).

3) It pioneered the twin turbine roof arrangement of the Mi-8 and Mi-24 (and other later Soviet helicopters). It is also cute.

4) The Polish variants (particularly the Mil Mi-2URP) have a remarkable armament including:

• Fixed forward firing 23mm cannon
• Flexibly mounted door guns
• Air-to-Air missiles (Strela)
• Rockets (up to 32 rockets)
• MCLOS anti-tank missiles (4xMalyutka-M ready to fire, four reloads in the cargo compartment).

Furthermore these weapons could be carried asymmetrically in the URP version - allowing up to three types of weapons to be carried at once (giving it a more varied armament than the Western light helicopters we are likely to get).

 

 

[GUFA]

I really do hope that a Mi-2 URP-G is done by somebody at least. But I do think PC are the team that will do it best.

+1

[Stratos]

That would be a dream come true!! @Avimimus do you have good pics of the version with the door gunner?

[Avimimus]

1 hour ago, Stratos said:

That would be a dream come true!! @Avimimus do you have good pics of the version with the door gunner?

 

The first photo in the thread actually shows one.

But here is the door gun position on the other side:

 

And the weapon system with additional forward firing guns:

I believe the four fixed forward firing machine guns precluded the carrying of rockets or missiles. However, the fixed forward firing cannon (and at least one door gun) can be carried with rockets and missiles.

 

Some info from: http://www.samolotypolskie.pl/samoloty/2284/126/PZL-Mi-22:

Mil Mi-2US (peaked at 30 examples) - Four fixed forward firing machineguns saw limited use prior to upgrading - but export to Burma in the 1990s. Typically upgraded to Mi-2URN (peaked at 28 examples, delivered from 1972) with 32 57mm rockets.

Mil Mi-2URP (peaked at 44 examples, delivered from 1975)- Eight anti-tank missiles, four ready to fire (five minute self-reload time). Upgraded to Mi-2 URP-G - URP with mixed armament of rockets and Strela air-to-air missiles.

Apparently most of these variants could be fitted with the 23mm cannon and the door guns (which are staggered).

 

Edited June 4, 2023 by Avimimus

[zerO_crash]

Mi-2 will have to come, no doubt there! Fantastic aircraft, and very unique to the Soviet doctrine in that it is a light helicopter, yet different variants retained capabilities found on heavier Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters. Would be awesome indeed

Edited June 17, 2024 by zerO_crash

[YoYo]

Mi-2 would be awsome for DCS! Fits perfectly on any map basically (except maybe Marianas and Nevada). A lots of data and metrials, so its not a problem now to model it. I've been waiting for him at DCS for a long time.

+1 for Hoplite !

Edited June 13, 2024 by YoYo

[qwksi1]

Yes, this is the module I am hoping for as well. 

[dahui]

Uh that would be awesome. I have about 1.5 hrs in the Mi2

[YoYo]

[Stratos]

I wonder, how the Mil Mi-2 flys? I mean FM, more like a Oh-6 or similar to the Mi-8?

[LuseKofte]

I saw an interview of a hind pilot. He trained in those. He said it was a nice chopper to fly. 
I cannot remember if that was the chopper he flew two variants or the one before mi 2 

Anyway, I believe red side need a smaller chopper

[Art-J]

3 hours ago, Stratos said:

I wonder, how the Mil Mi-2 flys? I mean FM, more like a Oh-6 or similar to the Mi-8?

Inbetween  . It was bigger and 3-4 times heavier than OH-6, while also being 3 times lighter than Mi-8. 

[Stratos]

Sounds interesting!

[Avimimus]

On 7/17/2024 at 11:38 AM, Stratos said:

I wonder, how the Mil Mi-2 flys? I mean FM, more like a Oh-6 or similar to the Mi-8?

It is supposed to be surprisingly agile - in spite of the lower power-to-weight ratio compared to other light helicopters. I was rather surprised to hear this. It should have a lower disk loading (i.e. much larger rotor for its weight).

There are a lot of videos of it doing aerobatics online... really high degrees of sideslip, rapid pitch-ups, high speed turns:

 

[Rogue Trooper]

The MI-2 would be a superb addition to DCS, steam Gauge so quick to learn and loads of toggle switches... fantastic!

Not sure if a Super Puma should come first, but I would not be crying if it were an MI-2 first.

 

[YoYo]

Nice picture - how many people can fit into the Mi-2  (1974).

[303_Kermit]

Tactical commentary to prop up the subject

I'd love to have Mi-2 in DCS.

[Stratos]

I'm going to Krakow next month, plan to visit the Aviation Museum there, and will see the Mil Mi-2 in person!

As time goes by, I feel we will never see a official Mi-2 module, maybe a mod, hopefully.

[Avimimus]

39 minutes ago, Stratos said:

As time goes by, I feel we will never see a official Mi-2 module, maybe a mod, hopefully.

It really depends. Given that it left production in 1992, that helicopters usually have shorter service lives, and are largely in civilian hands - it would seem less likely that there would be synergy with a professional trainer.

On the other hand:

- With the Mi-28, Ka-52, and more recent Mi-8 variants all excluded from development for security reasons - it becomes the most notable remaining Soviet Helicopter that can be produced. It also fills a 'lighter' helicopter niche for the Soviets.

- Setting aside the Soviet question, it was also Poland's most important helicopter and Poland is a part of NATO.

- It was exceptionally widely produced, so there are many examples used in many parts of the world.

Really, the Alouette series, the EC665 (Tiger), UH-60 and the AH-1 are the only major options for new helicopters - and there may be classification issues around some of those. If people keep making helicopter modules, at some point they'll have to do an Mi-2...

[Stratos]

53 minutes ago, Avimimus said:

It really depends. Given that it left production in 1992, that helicopters usually have shorter service lives, and are largely in civilian hands - it would seem less likely that there would be synergy with a professional trainer.

On the other hand:

- With the Mi-28, Ka-52, and more recent Mi-8 variants all excluded from development for security reasons - it becomes the most notable remaining Soviet Helicopter that can be produced. It also fills a 'lighter' helicopter niche for the Soviets.

- Setting aside the Soviet question, it was also Poland's most important helicopter and Poland is a part of NATO.

- It was exceptionally widely produced, so there are many examples used in many parts of the world.

Really, the Alouette series, the EC665 (Tiger), UH-60 and the AH-1 are the only major options for new helicopters - and there may be classification issues around some of those. If people keep making helicopter modules, at some point they'll have to do an Mi-2...

Wish some developer hears you!

[Dragon1-1]

12 hours ago, Avimimus said:

Really, the Alouette series, the EC665 (Tiger), UH-60 and the AH-1 are the only major options for new helicopters - and there may be classification issues around some of those. If people keep making helicopter modules, at some point they'll have to do an Mi-2...

Well, there's also the Bell 47 (the MASH helo), OH-6, the Twin Huey (any variant), the Phrog, H-34, CH-53, the SH-3... No shortage of major helos for ED or others to make. I do hope we'll get the Seahawk at some point, if only so that we might see the last of that FC1 era model that's currently looking out for carrier flyers.

[MAXsenna]

3 hours ago, Dragon1-1 said:

if only so that we might see the last of that FC1 era model that's currently looking out for carrier flyers.

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

Also, the Mi-2 has a fan in the cockpit! What more could you possibly want?