Nice post! Once I figured out the two factory situation it became easier for me to differentiate the seemingly endless numbers of variants. I think the breakup of the USSR seemed to accelerate the confusion of variants due to the multiple plants, etc.

Thus, I stand by what I said earlier………the Mi-8MTV-5 & Mi-8AMTSh are the current production military versions and the Mi-8AMTSh-V is the next in line. The Mi-171A2 (does it have an Mi-8 designation of any sort?) would appear to be the latest civilian configured Hip family member. Not sure about the military equivalent unless it’s the aforementioned AMTSh-V?

Avionics limitations perhaps limit the number of B-8 pods to four normally?

Couple thoughts…

First off, the Mi-171A2 is a civilian helo is it not?

The Russian helicopters website lists the Mi-8MTV-5 & Mi-8AMTSh as the latest currently available military variants of the Hip. It does list the Mi-8AMTSh-V as being in development so perhaps this is just another name for the Mi-171A2?

As for the saddle tanks, I had never noticed the difference in size on the Mi-8MT family, and this would seem to make perfect sense as to why you rarely see any stores on the inboard pylons although that Mexican (?) Hip seems to be carrying B-13 rocket pods on those locations. Perhaps just certain bulkier stores cannot be carried.

I remember several years ago I asked about the various Russian ATGM varieties. It seemed to be the standard answer that the newer variants of the Hip family carry either AT-6 or AT-9 missiles in sets of four (for a total of 8). I am curious however…would sixteen be possible or is 8 the limitation based on avionics? Not that important I suppose, but just something I’m curious about. I suppose I could ask the same regarding the AAMs (SA-18s being the only missile I’ve heard referenced).

Thanks for sharing all of the various photos!

These are UB-32 pods, not the B-8, but it does beg the question…how much wider is the B-8 (or UPK-23) than the UB-32? Is there really no room?

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjJqpvr6bHWAhWIcRQKHb22BvgQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fengineeringrussia.wordpress.com%2Fpage%2F190%2F%3Fapp-download%3Dandroid&psig=AFQjCNEnDFscs8wWc_Vu1XeBrRS5hnEKDg&ust=1505930221554044

Some interesting turrets on this….a defensive system perhaps?

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjL9q2G6rHWAhXJShQKHW0hBUQQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airliners.net%2Fphoto%2FRussia-Air-Force%2FMil-Mi-8AMTSh-V%2F2711872&psig=AFQjCNEnDFscs8wWc_Vu1XeBrRS5hnEKDg&ust=1505930221554044

Yeah I just assume at this point that only the export variants had the wing pylons plumbed.

That said I think the Hawk has had an interesting service life in the RAF (& RN) and used far outside of what Hawker Siddeley probably envisioned when they designed it.

Anybody know any good reads on how they were used in the Air defense role and what years that was put into practice? I’d be especially keen to learn how they integrated with the Tornado (& Phantom?)

Who actually owns G-AWHK? Anyone know where I can find a good history on it?

That second to last photo is pretty much what I had assumed. Looks like SNEB rockets, practice bombs, and the Aden gun pod were it. Thanks for helping me confirm it!

Any idea if those pylons were ever plumbed/used for external tanks. I think they were on the export Hawk 50/60 series…just not sure about the RAF’s T.1/T.1A fleet.