These six stamps were issued in 1980 and depict six models of Soviet military and civilian helicopters that were in service at the time.
1 kopek stamp - The Yakovlev Yak-24 was a Soviet twin-engine, tandem rotor, transport helicopter developed by Yakovlev in the 1950s. The Yak-24 saw limited use in the Soviet Air Force, and the exact number produced and duration of service are unknown due to inconsistencies in data.
2 kopek stamp - The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union, and still produced by Russia. In addition to its role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. The Mi-8 is among the world's most-produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries.
3 kopek stamp - Ka-26 - The Kamov Ka-26 was a Soviet light utility helicopter with co-axial rotors. The Ka-26 was used by some Warsaw Pact armies in the light paratroop or airborne role. The fuselage consists of a fixed, bubble-shaped cockpit containing the pilot and co-pilot, plus a removable, variable box available in medevac, passenger-carrying and crop duster versions. The helicopter can fly with or without the box attached for flexibility. Around 816 Ka-26s were produced by the Soviet Union.
6 kopek stamp - Mi-6 - The Mil Mi-6 was a Soviet/Russian heavy transport helicopter that was built in large numbers for both military and civil roles and used to be the largest helicopter in production until Mil Mi-26 was put in production in 1980. Normally flown by a crew of five or more, the Mi-6 seats 65 armed troops and can alternatively carry 41 stretcher patients and two attendants, or a wide range of bulky loads, including vehicles, loaded through rear clamshell doors.
15 kopek stamp - The Mil Mi-10 was a Soviet military transport helicopter of flying crane configuration, developed from the Mi-6, which entered service in 1963. The Mi-10 gave the Soviet Union the very useful ability to move and place large, bulky or heavy loads with precision. A long-legged version was later developed to carry underslung bulky cargo containers, and was sometimes used to carry an electronic warfare package.
32 kopek stamp - The V-12 is the largest helicopter ever built. Only two prototypes were ever produced. These helicopters were capable of lifting 20 to 25 tons of cargo and/or passengers. and their interior hold dimensions were similar to the Antonov An-22, intended to lift major items of combat materiel as well as inter-continental ballistic missiles. Production was halted in 1974.
These six stamps are shipped in a protective display card with a clear plastic cover.
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