32k b/w from "Russian aircraft since 1940" by Jean Alexander, p277
V -8 was intended as a 25-seat passenger helicopter for over 300km stage lengths.
Development of the piston-engine Mi-4 helicopter into free-turbine powered aircraft was
an obvious move after success of the Mi-6. Development was done in parallel with similar
transformation of the Mi-1 into Mi-2, but was more
radical. The tailboom, rotor blades and hub originally retained, but the rest was new. V-8 was powered with single 2700hp
Soloviev free-turbine.
First public flight took place on July 9, 1961 at Tushino. On 17 September 1962
the second prototype with two 1200/1500hp Izotov was flown still with the hub and 4-bladed Mi-4
rotor. Finally in 1964 five-blade rotor with Mi-6-style rotorhead were installed and aircraft was
accepted for production as a Mi-8.
It became the most built medium helicopter, still in service all over the World.
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