Built in 1985, registered as CCCP-06173 and used as a demonstrator. Transferred to the Soviet Air Force as 56 yellow then to the Russian Air Force in 1993. Converted to the Mi-26T2 prototype by Rostvertol. First flew as such and marked as 901 black in 2011. Changed to 901 white by 2015. Stored by 2021.

Faded bort code 71 yellow just visible.

Looking weary, parked to the side of the small ramp near the air base museum.

Prototype. First flew as CCCP-06141 in 1977. Reregistered as 06141 then RA-06141 in 1973. Preserved at the Mil factory at Tomilino as 01 yellow from 2011.

Photographer unknown

34001212081 "80" yellow has manufacturer date 16 Oct'85. The c/n was to be 34001212059 initially, but it was changed to 34001212081. It served the Soviet and Russian air force was modified to Mi-26PK in 1999 for 'flying crane' duties, featuring a gondola for the cargo hook operator on the side of the fuselage, next to the cabin door. It was reconverted back to Mi-26 and last seen operational in 2013. Preserved in the Patriot park at Kubinka from possible mid-2016 onwards.

Photo: Palle Nørby Christensen

This Halo was built in 1986 and delivered to the Soviet AF as 59 yellow. In June 1992 it was transferred to the Belorussian AF as 54 white. In January 2011 it was offered for sale without success and so was painted into fake Russian markings as "27 white", and used for the film 'A Good Day to Die Hard'. The helicopter (tragically) was burnt out in the process and so the remains were scrapped with only the nose section surviving to be placed on display at this museum south of Budapest.

Manufactured in Apr'89 and was delivered to MAP MVZ im. Milya. The Mi-26T visited Schiphol-Oost without company titles. The helicopter flew some off shore trail missions together with Dutch Navy Lynx's. It was transferred to TyumenAviaTrans as RA-06121 in '93 and to UTair in Jul'03. Ten years later is was leased to the United Nations as UN-156 and returned to UTair in '05, still RA-06121. As such, the Mi-26T crashed near Tailakovo, Central South Russia during underslung operations on 6 Dec'11. Its tailboom broke off due to fatigue cracks. The Mi-26 crashed from 60m, killing one of six crew.

A huge helicopter as shown by the people around it