The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
The mysterious Mil Mi-2 of Turin
The battered wreck of an old "Warsaw Pact" helicopter has been exhibed in a downtown Turin square, Italy, in occasion of public celebrations for 2002 new year's eve. The sad hulk, painted black and white in zebra fashion, had seen better times as a Polish built PZL-Swidnik Mil Mi-2, a very popular "beyond the curtain" aircraft in past decades.
The Mil Mi-2, forerunner of the twin turboshaft powered helicopters, flew for the first time as V-2 September 1961. It underwent its initial development phase in Russia, then series production was set up in Poland where 5,320 were manufactured from 1963 to 1993, in twelve civil and military versions. Named "Hoplite" in the ASCC* code for enemy aircraft, it was mainly used for light transport, law enforcement and ground attack roles, similar to the contemporary Bell UH-1 Huey in Western countries.
The Mi-2 arrived in Turin towed by a dismal British-plated lorry; despite its heavy recent repaint, traces of its original olive-drab overall camouflage are still visible. The remains of the roundels suggest the aircraft spent its active career with the armed forces of Hungary; Bulgaria or Rumania.
It's difficult to understand what type of message, positive or not, may be given to the people of Turin by the public display of an aircraft relic in such a poor condition.
* Air Standards Co-ordinating Committee
In the picture: PZL-Swidnik Mil Mi-2 "Hoplite" on temporary display in a square in downtown Turin. (photo by Aeromedia)
(Aeromedia, January 2002)