Fully scratch built by hand (aside from several machined components: main and tail rotors and landing gear), this model took over 15 years to complete.

Begun in Kiev (Ukraine), in 1986 this masterpiece was profoundly difficult to construct due to the extreme scarcity of information on it – In 1986 the Mil-24 was still a top secret piece of military equipment. A set of blueprints was ultimately obtained from the manufacturer and over 1000 photographs were used to ensure complete accuracy in the reproduction…

The Hind is molded out of 1.5 mm acrylic and clad with 0.1 mm aluminum sheeting. All parts are crafted from either aluminum, brass, titanium, stainless steel or silver, including working hinges made of solid silver to prevent corrosion.

This helicopter has many authentic features including: linked controls (pedals that work in parallel motion), a battery powered motor that spins the main and tail rotor in the actual ratio of the original, adjustable tail rotor pitch, fabric covered stabilizer, landing gear with pneumatic rubber tires, compressable shocks, working lights, locks, fans, aimable guns and titanium engine parts.

Complete accuracy is followed right down to the rivets and screws whose diameter and separation are kept to scale.

A condition unique to the Mil-24 is its 1°40' right hand twist. This intentional design feature compensates for pressure differences created by rotor rotation and aids in radio landings. This too, is faithfully reproduced in the model.

Over 100,000 parts were used in this model, many of them fabricated under a microscope to ensure accuracy. Most of the tools used in construction were custom made specifically for this project.

Paint was applied by airbrush. The interior is finished with authentic colors supplied by the manufacturer. The exterior is painted with Tamiya acrylics. All markings are hand masked and all text was stenciled with templates hand cut under a microscope.

This replica of the Mil-24V Hind was finally completed by Alex Sklyar in Toronto, Canada in 2001, and after snapping up several prestigious 1st-place awards, was retired to the private family collection.