David and Goliath Part 2

Bell 206 JetRanger

First we will discuss David, the Bell 206 JetRanger. The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Originally developed in the early 1960's as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, it was not selected by the Army. Bell redesigned the airframe and successfully marketed the aircraft commercially as the Bell 206A JetRanger. The new design was eventually selected by the US Army as the OH-58 Kiowa.

The IAF had begun operating light helicopters in the mid 1950s. At first equipped with the Aerospatiale Alouette II. The Alouettes, however, were aged aircraft, lacking night flying capabilities, and the IAF sought to purchase another, more capable type. After testing a number of helicopters, including the Hughes OH-6A and the MBB BO-105, the IAF finally selected the JetRanger as its next light helicopter. The first two IAF JetRangers arrived in Israel in June 1971 and the type was nicknamed "Saifan" (Avocet). When the Yom Kippur War broke out in October 1973, Jet Rangers saw combat for the first time.

Besides their regular role as light transports and VIP helicopters, the Saifans were also employed for casualty evacuation and pursuit of enemy forces. Another new role adopted during the war was artillery targeting, the helicopters directing Israeli ground fire against enemy positions. The orginal model and texture were created by dezkit. Illness88 created the Israeli texture for us, which is the standard 3-tone camouflage of the War of Attrition and Yom Kippur war.

Mil Mi-6 Hook

Now we discuss Goliath. I thought we had already shown you the largest helicopter in our mod, the CH-53, but I was wrong. The Mil Mi-6 (NATO reporting name Hook), was a Soviet/Russian heavy transport helicopter that was designed by the Mil design bureau. It was built in large numbers for both military and civil roles. The Mi-6 resulted from a joint civil-military requirement for a very large vertical-lift aircraft, which could be used to add mobility in military operations as well as assist in the exploration and development of the expansive central and eastern regions of the USSR. Flown for the first time in 1957, the Mi-6 was the first Soviet turboshaft-powered production helicopter.

The Mi-6 was by far the world's largest helicopter when it was designed in 1954–56; with a maximum load capacity of 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs). It was also the world's fastest helicopter; with a top speed of 300 km/h (190 mph). In its early days, the Mi-6 set many world records. Normally flown by a crew of five or more, the Mi-6 seats 65 armed troops, or a wide range of bulky loads, including vehicles, loaded through rear clamshell doors.

In exercises, fleets of these aircraft have airlifted many kinds of weapons, including FROG-7 rockets on their PT-76 tracked chassis, as well as large radars and heavy artillery. All Soviet armored personnel carriers, armored cars and light mechanized infantry combat vehicles can be carried.

Mi-6 were used by Egypt, Syria and Iraq starting in the 1960's. Many were destroyed on the ground during Israeli air strikes during the Six day war. After the war the Soviets supplied more Mi-6's the Arab air forces. They were active again during the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War. They tended not to operate over the immediate battlefield, being considered to large, slow and vulnerable. They were used mainly for airlifting various heavy loads.

The original model and texture were created by Vladimir Zshigulinskyi. The model and textures were improved by NightIntruder. Illness88 created this beautiful Egyptian texture for us. He also created a Syrian texture which you will see in the future. That's all for now a lot more to share in future updates.