Ok, so there I was practicing for IMAC at my local field (TIMPA) in Tucson, AZ. I was the only one flying and only one other person was present. All of a sudden I hear the distinct sound of a helicopter closing fast. Out of nowhere flies a Russian Hind at 50 feet right across the field! It almost hit my 33% Extra 330L! I raced north and climbed hoping not to get caught up the the rotor wash. What the heck is a Russian Hind doing in AZ? I have seen one in an aggressor squadron on the Discovery Channel but this one that flew by was painted different. Anyone out there know if we have one flying for the military here in Tucson?

Sean

OK, what is the joke... I russian Hind.
Probably a D version full of ordianance.

No joke. I am actually an airline pilot and I live and breath aviation. I know very well what a Russian Hind looks like. It was Huge! Scared the heck out of me.

Sean

Hey man, I believe you! I was checking out your local fields about two weeks ago, while at the one north west of town I got to watch a constelation fly around. Out there anything is possible.

Yep thats the MATS Connie. Its based at the Marana airport. They actually have two of them but only one is airworthy.

Sean

i know of 2 Hinds in the southwest. maybe more of them. a hind F and a D model. F is based out of Nevada, and the D out of El Paso.

they are used for training against troops and helis, aircraft etc for military.

i think they travel alot.

Very cool! I was both amazed and scared at the same time when it flew by. Those guys almost ate my Extra. I'm sure they would have said 'What was that?' if they did hit it. They need to fly that thing a little higher when they are cruising out to the MOA. Maybe they were trying to sneak up on someone

Sean