The Mil Mi12 is a 120-seat heavy transport helicopter powered by four Soloviev
D-25VF turboshaft engines. The Mil Mi-12 (NATO reporting name 'Homer') project started in the Soviet Union in 1965.
The prototype Mil V-12 flew first in 1968. This giant helicopter had fixed wings and was lifted by two Mi-6 rotors mounted at the ends
of outrigger wings. Both rotors were driven by two 6500shp Soloviev D-25VF turbine engines each, mounted
side-by-side at the tips of the wings. The four 6500shp Soloviev D-25VF turbines giving the Mil V-12 a maximum speed of 260km/h,
with a 35400kg load or 120 passengers and 500km range. Two V12 prototypes were built. Both prototypes had the same registration!
This registration CCCP-21142 is in Cyrillic and means SSSR-21142.
The first prototype was damaged in a heavy landing, but was repaired.
The rebuilt first prototype Mil V-12 is located today next to the Mil Helicopter factory in Lyubertsi-Panki. The second prototype Mil V-12 CCCP-21142 is at
the Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino, located approximately 38 km from Moscow, Russia. The Mil Mi-12 never entered production.
On 24 May 1971, the arrival of the first prototype of the Mil Mi-12 at
Groningen-Eelde airfield in the Netherlands was a sensation. This
helicopter is the largest helicopter of the world. Mil Mi-8V CCCP-11097
escorted Mil V-12 CCCP-21142. Both helicopters were on their way to the Paris Air Show
(Salon International de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace) at Paris-Le Bourget in France and came to Eelde for re-fueling. The first
prototype Mil V-12 flew first in 1968. The second prototype did not
leave the factory in Panki until late 1973. In 1974, the whole program
was stopped and the two Mil V-12s went on display. The photographs of
this Mil V-12 on the cover of the Airlife publication "Vintage Russian"
are also of a series made by Jack Wolbrink during the time the
CCCP-21142 staid at Eelde. The second prototype Mil V-12 CCCP-21142 is
at the Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino, located approximately
38 km from Moscow, Russia.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
