The Mil Mi-6 (NATO code name ‘Hook’) was the largest helicopter in the world for many years.

For many years it was also able to carry the largest helicopter in service in the West.

They remained in Russian service until 2002.

The Mi-6 was designed as a very heavy lift helicopter in Russia in the 1950s, one of the first helicopters to be powered by jet engines.

The prototype first flew in early 1957 and production began in 1960, and by the time production finished in 1981 about 860 had been manufactured.

The stub wings provided about 20 per cent of lift in fast forward flight and were removable when the helicopter was used as an aerial crane.

Most Mi-6s flew in the Soviet Union but a few were flown by allies such as Egypt, Syria and North Vietnam.

This model represents a Mi-6 in Soviet Service, c.1960s

AModel 1:72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in May 2007.