How The Mi-28NE “Night Hunter” Helicopter Is Built (Pictures)

This is how the Russian Helicopters Rostovka Plant build the Mi-26, Mi-28 and Mi-35! We’ve given special attention to the Mi-28NE “Night Hunter” which now has dual controls, from the cockpit for the pilot and for the pilot operator too!

All images are courtesy of fyodor-photo.livejournal.com

1. The life of the helicopter (as well as its modifications) today starts on the computer.

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

2. Rostvertol includes many different industries. This is an anodizing plant.

Rostvertol plant.

3. On the way to a new helicopter.

4. Women have long competed with men for jobs at aviation plants.

5. Work as music.

6. The blade factory.

Blades' Factory

7. There still are jobs that require heavy physical labor.

Blades' Factory

8. Sanding and cleaning to make the perfect aerodynamic surface

Blades' Factory

9. Automation of production is not in place at this stage

Blades' Factory

10. The poster translates roughly to “Be your own quality control, take pride in your work.”

Blades' Factory

11. Aviation without cats? Not the case here!

Blades' Factory

12. We move on to the assembly hall. On the way, we’ve noticed it’s always time for helicopters here!

Rostvertol plant.

13. Finally, aAssembling the Mi-28NE, our goal!

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

14. The cockpit requires as few analog instruments as possible

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

15. The helicopter assembly process.

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

16. They sure look mean!

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

17. “I write down the coordinates of the target!” 30-mm gun Shipunova.

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18. And this is an Mi-35.

Mi-35 at Rostverol

19. Fun on the Workshop floor

Mi-35 at Rostverol

20. Mi-35 and Mi-26, a good opportunity to compare the sizes

Mi-35 at Rostverol

Mi-35 at Rostverol

Mi-35 at Rostverol

Mi-35 at Rostverol

24. Twin 23-mm cannon GS-23.

Mi-35 at Rostverol

25. Work on equipping the cabin.

Mi-35 at Rostverol

26. Engines TV3-117

Mi-35 at Rostverol

29. Exhaust system

Mi-35 at Rostverol

28. Black box. Orange, as it should be.

Mi-35 at Rostverol

29. Remote control tractor to move the chopper around the factory floor

Mi-35 at Rostverol

30. The giant Mi-26T2.

Mi-26T2 at Rostverol

31. Working with the power plant.

32. Two cockpits but only one helicopter

32. Awaiting developments on the airfield. The old men of the Mi-26 are bored in the parking lot.

Mi-26T2 at Rostverol

34. Newcomers also bored once – the Mi-26T2 will soon be going to a customer.

Mi-26T2 at Rostverol

35. The cabin of a Mi-26

Mi-26T2 at Rostverol

36. Mi-28NE and Mi-26T2 in the “desert” colors. “E” – means the export.

Mi-28 and Mi26 at Rostverol

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

37. Demonstrating the new machine. Mi-28NE “Night Hunter”.

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

That is a helicopter with stunning looks!

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

Airborne!

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

44.Talking to the press

Mi-28NE Pilot

45. The cockpit of the pilot on the Mi-28NE

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

46. The cabin of the pilot-operator.

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

47. Variations are possible on winglets. This is a container for the rockets.

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

48.On the lift, missiles, antitank.

Mi-28NE at Rostverol

Thanks again to our friends at fyodor-photo.livejournal.com for the pictures!

Joris Nieuwint

Joris Nieuwint is a battlefield guide for the Operation Market Garden area. His primary focus is on the Allied operations from September 17th, 1944 onwards. Having lived in the Market Garden area for 25 years, he has been studying the events for nearly as long. He has a deep understanding of the history and a passion for sharing the stories of the men who are no longer with us.

@joris1944 facebook.com/joris.nieuwint