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Mil Mi-10 Harke

Mil · Aerial crane · USSR · Early Jet (1946–1969)

The Mil Mi-10 (NATO reporting name Harke) was a Soviet twin-turbine flying crane helicopter — a Mi-6 derivative with extended landing gear + cargo platform for outsize-load transport. Mikhail Mil designed the Mi-10 in 1958-1960; first flight 15 June 1960. About 55 Mi-10s were built between 1961 and 1969 at Rostov Plant No. 168. The aircraft served Soviet Air Forces + Aeroflot Polar Aviation in heavy-crane operations 1963-1980s.

The Mi-10 used the Mi-6's 2 × Soloviev D-25V turboshafts (5,500 shp each). Maximum speed 235 km/h, range 250 km with full load, service ceiling 4,000 m. Cargo capacity: 8,000 kg under-fuselage platform load + 5,000 kg internal cargo. The aircraft's distinguishing feature was extended-tall landing gear that allowed the fuselage to clear bulky underslung loads — vehicles + missile parts + construction equipment too tall to sling under conventional helicopters.

Mi-10 service was concentrated in Soviet outsize-load transport 1963-1980s. Used for ICBM transport + radar relocation + remote-area construction support + petroleum-industry pipeline construction. About 4 Mi-10 airframes survive in 2026 at Russian aviation museums.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Mil Mi-10 was a Soviet flying-crane helicopter built in the 1960s. It was based on the giant Mi-6 but had four very tall landing legs. The tall legs let the helicopter park right over big cargo and pick it up like a giant claw machine.

The Mi-10 first flew in 1960. Only 55 of them were built between 1961 and 1969. The helicopter could carry up to 8 tons of cargo under its belly. That is heavier than five small cars combined.

The Mi-10 was used for jobs that were too big for normal helicopters. It moved heavy missile parts, big construction beams, and even small buildings. The flying-crane shape made it perfect for picking up huge loads that were too tall to sling underneath.

The Mi-10 used the same big engines as the Mi-6 — two Soloviev turbines with 5,500 horsepower each. It is about as long as a 20-meter truck. Aeroflot used the Mi-10 in Siberia for oil-rig work, while the military used it for moving heavy equipment in the Arctic.

Fun Facts

The Mi-10 had four very tall landing legs so it could park over big cargo.
Only 55 Mi-10s were built between 1961 and 1969.
It could carry 8 tons of cargo under its belly.
The helicopter was used in Siberia to support oil-rig work.
It used the same powerful engines as the Mi-6.
Some Mi-10s carried small buildings and big construction beams across the Arctic.

Kids’ Questions

Why does the Mi-10 have such tall legs?

The tall legs let the helicopter park right over big cargo. Then the crew could roll the cargo under the helicopter, hook it up to a special platform, and lift off with the load tucked between the legs. It worked like a giant claw machine.

Why were only 55 Mi-10s built?

The Mi-10 was very useful but also very expensive to run. Most cargo could be moved more cheaply by truck, train, or regular helicopter. The Soviets only ordered as many Mi-10s as they needed for special jobs like Arctic oil work and moving missile parts.

Variants

Mi-10 (basic): Standard tall-undercarriage variant. ~40 built.
Mi-10K (short-gear): Refined variant with shorter gear + ventral observation gondola. ~15 built.

Notable Operators

Soviet Air Forces + Aeroflot: Heavy-crane operations 1963-1980s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Mi-10 used for?

Outsize-load transport. The extended-tall landing gear allowed loading vehicles + missile parts + radar antennas + construction equipment that could be driven or rolled under the helicopter without specialised slings. Soviet ICBM transport, Far East petroleum-industry pipeline construction, and Arctic resupply were major roles.

Sources

Wikipedia — Mil Mi-10