[Bob's Guide] The Mi-24 "Super Hind"

Hello everyone, and welcome to the War Thunder Wiki 3.0! In this video and my first article on Wiki 3.0, I will guide you through the Mi-24 "SuperHind"! We will be taking a look at the history, modules and armaments that the SuperHind has.

Intro

History of the SuperHind

The project kicked off in the 1990s driven by the South African “Advanced Technologies and Engineering” company (ATE). They took the sturdy Mi-24 Hind helicopters and embarked on a mission to significantly improve their capabilities. This included a series of major upgrades which made the helicopter more versatile.

Due to having a good relationship with Algeria, this is probably where the South African Hind came from, outside of that South Africa didn’t have any access to Mi-24s. The ATE’s approach was that they should retrofit the existing Mi-24 airframes with cutting-edge technology instead of making helicopters from scratch.

Which starts from the SuperHind Mark 2. This variant of the helicopter essentially replaces the old Soviet avionics with the modern western ones. They were also made compatible enough so the parts could be produced by the ATE.

The second variant, which is the SuperHind Mark 3, essentially focuses more on the countermeasures and major upgrades in the weapons department, which also includes the installation of the South African ZT3 Ingwe anti-tank missile, the 20 mm chinned turret, and the Ataka AGM.

The SuperHind Mark 4 pushes the upgrades to a whole new level, which includes the installation of a Pall vortex engine particle separator system, better camera equipment, and of course, the installation of Mistral air-to-air missiles, and ZT6 Mokopas.

This helicopter entered service in 2001 in Algeria with 34 Mark 3 variants and 10 Mark 4s being made. As for South Africa, it never used the SuperHind for its military, as it’s only meant for export.

Armors and Modular Protection Analysis

This helicopter features a tandem-seat configuration with two crew members: a pilot and a gunner. It boasts all the essential attributes of a well-polished, modern helicopter.

Equipped with self-sealing fuel tanks that utilize a neutral gas pressurization system, it also houses two powerful engines derived from the Soviet Mi-24 family. However, these engines can stall under certain conditions, requiring careful management of the collective pitch to maintain control.

The Weapons on the SuperHind

As mentioned, the SuperHind has plenty of weapons to make the battlefield look like a gigantic playground. However, it does not come with air-to-air missiles.

Bombs:

OFAB-250sv (4x)

• The basic Soviet 250 kg bomb with an explosive mass of 97 kg, capable of bombing stationary targets and bases, which is further aided by CCIP.

 500 lb MK 82 (4x)

• The MK 82 is essentially the better equivalent of the FAB-250. While lighter, it still comes with more explosive power with its 117 kg TNTe
• It's also unique as it's one of the few NATO bombs found on Soviet airframes.

FAB-500M-54 (2x)

• The largest bomb you can get on this helicopter. With 201 kg of explosive mass, doing plenty of damage against bases in Heli PvE. Against bases, this is the best substitute until the ZB-500 napalm bombs are unlocked.

ZB-500 Napalm bombs (2x)

• As with any napalm bomb, they're the ideal weapon for dealing with bases in Heli PvE, not only doing plenty of explosive damage on impact, but the napalm also does damage over time until the fire subdues.
• While it is technically a 500 kg bomb, it does little to no damage directly to vehicles, it may burn down the crew of open-top vehicles or emplaced guns, but don't expect MBTs to burn down from it.

Rockets:

S-8KO

• Compact explosive mass and 420 mm HEAT warhead penetration, outperforms standard NATO rockets like the Hydra-70.
• Quick to destroy targets but mounted on the Mi-24, which requires skill to handle due to its heavy weight.
• Despite the platform's challenges, the rocket is highly effective and satisfying to use.

S-24

• Packs significant firepower with 25 kg of explosive mass, offering more punch than its predecessor.
• Effective for overpressuring vehicles with precise hits but requires practice to master.
• Slightly slower than the S-8 rocket but delivers substantial damage, making it a compelling option for those seeking variety.

Air To Ground Missile:

ZT3A2 Ingwe ATGM

• unique ATGM with a glide-bomb-like flight path, lacking the typical tumbling, rolling, or smoke trails.
• Comparable to the Shturm missile in stats, featuring a 2.8 kg explosive mass (TNT equivalent: 3.58 kg).
• Offers decent penetration and serviceable speed, though not exceptional.

20 mm GI-2 Cannon

• Satisfying to shoot with a distinctive sound effect and 840 rounds of ammo.
• Effective against air targets but struggles with well-armored MBTs.
• Capable of crippling lightly armored vehicles like Pumas, Bradleys, and BMP-2s, though frequent 'Shell shattered' messages can be expected.

Wait, it doesn't come with Air-to-Air missiles?

Conclusion