Mil Mi-24P Hind demo flight over Tisza River, Hungary

Описание: I think it’s safe to say that some of Europe’s most exciting, most spectacular, and most jaw-dropping helicopter demonstrations took place at the airshows held over the Tisza River in Szolnok.
Unfortunately, the event hasn’t been organized for several years now — but we always made sure to attend, and aviation fans from all around the world travelled to Hungary just to witness it.

The airshow of MH 86 Szolnok Helicopter Base, every active helicopter type of the unit appeared, performing both combined capability demonstrations and individual display routines.
Needless to say, the absolute highlight — the most intense and breathtaking part — was always the Mil Mi-24 demonstration. Watching this multi-ton gunship churn up the water of the Tisza just a few meters away from us was an unforgettable experience.

The Mil Mi-24, developed by the Mil Design Bureau in the late 1960s, is one of the world’s most iconic and feared attack helicopters. It was conceived as a unique hybrid: a heavily armed gunship combined with the ability to carry a squad of troops internally, making it both an assault and a transport platform. Over the decades, it has seen extensive service in dozens of countries and countless conflicts, earning a reputation for being fast, durable, and brutally effective.

Its typical armament includes a 23 mm or 30 mm cannon, unguided rocket pods, anti-tank guided missiles, and various additional payload options, making it extremely versatile on the battlefield. The Mi-24 is powered by two Klimov TV3-117 turboshaft engines, each producing approximately 2,200 horsepower, allowing the helicopter to reach speeds over 300 km/h, which is exceptionally fast for a gunship.

With its distinctive tandem cockpit, armored fuselage, and intimidating presence, the Mi-24 remains one of the most impressive helicopters ever built — and seeing it perform just a few meters away over the Tisza was nothing short of extraordinary.