View source for Mil Mi-4

{{Short description|Soviet transport helicopter}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
  |name=Mi-4
  |image=File:Mi-4-JH01 (remix).jpg
  |caption=Mil Mi-4 at [[Prague Aviation Museum, Kbely|Prague Aviation Museum]]
  |type=[[Transport helicopter]]
  |manufacturer=[[Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant]]
  |designer=
  |first_flight=3 June 1952
  |introduction=[[1953 in aviation|1953]]
  |retired=
  |status=Limited Service; [[North Korean Air Force]]
  |primary_user=[[Soviet Air Force]]
  |more_users=[[Polish Air Force]] <br />[[Royal Afghan Air Force]]
  |produced=1951–1979
  |number_built=over 4,000 including Z-5s
  |developed_from=
  |variants = [[Harbin Z-5]]
}}

The '''Mil Mi-4''' ([[USAF]]/DoD reporting name '''"Type 36"''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/non-us/soviet.html#_DOD_Type |title=Designations of Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft and Missiles |publisher=Designation-systems.net |date=2008-01-18 |access-date=2012-10-28}}</ref> [[NATO]] reporting name '''"Hound"''')<ref name=":0">''[[iarchive:janesallworldsai6364fran/mode/2up|Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1963-1964]]'', p. 303</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date= 28 February 2024|title=Mil Mi-4 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #207 – Palm Springs Air Museum |url=https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/mil-mi-4-warbird-wednesday-episode-207/ |access-date=1 July 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Culhane |first=Kevin V. |date=1977 |title=The Soviet Attack Helicopter |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA067345.pdf |website=[[Defense Technical Information Center]] (DTIC) |publisher=U.S. Army Institute for Advanced Russian and East European Studies}}</ref> is a [[Soviet transport]] [[helicopter]] that served in both military and civilian roles.

==Design and development==
The Mi-4 was designed in response to the American [[H-19 Chickasaw]] and the deployment of U.S. helicopters during the [[Korean War]]. While the Mi-4 strongly resembles the H-19 Chickasaw in general layout, including the innovative engine position in front of the cockpit, it is a larger helicopter, able to lift more weight and built in larger numbers.  The first model entered service in 1953. The helicopter was first displayed to the outside world in 1952 at the Soviet Aviation Day in [[Tushino Airfield]].

==Operational history==
The Mi-4 transport helicopter laid the groundwork of Soviet Army Aviation. It was widely used both in the armed forces and in Soviet civil aviation, and for several decades remained the main type of helicopter in the inventory of the [[Soviet Armed Forces]] and of the Civil Air Fleet. The Mi-4 went out of service with the development of the [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]]. It is no longer used by the Russian Air Force, though it remained in service in some countries as a utility helicopter or as a military transport a while longer. [[Albania]] was thought to be the final country using the helicopter, and by 2005 all were out of service. The Mi-4 played a very important role in the [[Bangladesh liberation war]] of 1971. The Mi-4 was the workhorse of the [[Indian Air Force]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Galleries/Aircraft/Vintage/Helicopters/Mi4/|title=Indian Air Force Gallery :: Mil Mi-4 - Bharat Rakshak|website=Bharat Rakshak|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-05}}</ref> covering the medium lift role at the time. A highly successful heli-borne operation, the [[Meghna Heli Bridge]], using Mi-4s helped the Indian Army's 57 Mountain Division clear the [[Meghna River]]. The helilift of a battalion of Indian troops to the outskirts of [[Sylhet]] was the first heli-borne operation of the Indian army.

Much like the [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1 Huey]], after it was gradually phased out of military service, it was used in various domestic roles: search and rescue, firefighting, polar expeditioning, construction site cargo helicopter, commercial flights and many others.<ref name="globalsecurity.org">{{cite web |author=John Pike |title=Mi-4 HOUND (MIL) |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mi-4.htm |access-date=2012-10-28 |publisher=Globalsecurity.org}}</ref>

An official video of a North Korean Air Force combat flying skills competition released in 2014 shows that the Mi-4 is still in limited service in North Korea.<ref name=":1" /><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/p0yNcM4kV6g Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20141011221659/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0yNcM4kV6g Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0yNcM4kV6g| title = 朝鲜空军飞行技术大赛 North Korea Air Force combat flying skills contest | website=[[YouTube]]| date = 15 May 2014 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Variants==
;V-12
:Prototype. Designation reused for the [[Mil Mi-12|Mi-12]].
;Mi-4 (NATO – Hound-A)
:Basic production version.
;Mi-4A
:Assault transport helicopter.
;Mi-4AV
:Armed versions based on the Mi-4A. V for Vooruzhenniy (Armed). Mi-4A with additional armament. Modification of 1967 had weapons complex K-4V, included four 9М17М ATGM "Phalanga" and 96 57-mm NAR S-5M in six blocks UB-16-57U (or six 100-kg bombs or four 250-kg bombs or tanks with an incendiary substance); 185 helicopters were converted to Mi-4AV.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aviadejavu.ru/Site/Crafts/Craft19963.htm|title=Миль Ми-4|website=aviadejavu.ru|access-date=2017-10-19}}</ref>
;Mi-4GF
:Factory designation for demilitarised Mi-4 for use in the Civil Air Fleet.
;Mi-4L ''Lyukes''
:Six-seat VIP transport version, sometimes converted into an air ambulance helicopter.
;Mi-4VL
:Fire-fighting version of Mi-4L.
;Mi-4M (NATO – Hound-C)
:Anti-submarine warfare helicopter with searching radar station SPRS-1 ("Kurs-M"), hydroacoustic station "Baku", additional fuel tank and rescue boat with operator in under-fuselage gun turret.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://modelgrad.com/akl-201707-aviacollection-2017-7-mil-mi-4-hound-military-and-civil-transport-helicopter.html|title=AKL-201707 AviaCollection 2017/7 Mil Mi-4 Hound Military and Civil Transport Helicopter|website=modelgrad.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-19}}</ref><ref name="Миль Ми-4М">{{Cite web|url=http://www.airwar.ru/enc/sh/mi4m.html|title=Миль Ми-4М|website=www.airwar.ru|access-date=2017-10-19}}</ref>
;Mi-4ME
:Export modification of Mi-4M.<ref name="Миль Ми-4М"/>
;Mi-4VM
:Slightly modified version of Mi-4M, differed by some avionics system.<ref name="aviadejavu.ru">{{Cite web|url=http://aviadejavu.ru/Site/Crafts/Craft22112.htm|title=Миль Ми-4М|website=aviadejavu.ru|access-date=2017-10-19}}</ref>
;Mi-4MR
:Upgraded version of Mi-4VM with the searching radar station "Rubin-V" instead of "Kurs-M".<ref name="aviadejavu.ru"/>
;Mi-4P / Mi-4VP
:Civil transport helicopter, with accommodation for between 8 and 11 passengers, plus eight stretchers and a medical attendant for air ambulance duties. It has square windows compared to the circular windows of the military versions.<ref name=":0" />
;Mi-4PL (NATO – Hound-B)
:Anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
;Mi-4PS
:SAR version.
;Mi-4S Salon
:VIP transport helicopter.
;Mi-4Skh
:Multi-role agricultural helicopter, with a large chemical container in the main cabin. Also used as a fire-fighting helicopter.
;Mi-4T
:Major military production version, equipped with a large diameter main rotor and bulged windows.
;Mi-4VM (VM-12)
:Anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
;Mi-4BT
:Minesweeper with floats.
;Mi-4RI
:Mi-4M equipped with the Rion experimental sonar.
;Mi-4MT
:Torpedo-carrying ASW attack (killer) aircraft derived from Mi-4M.
;Mi-4MU
:Attack helicopter.
;Mi-4MO
:Search helicopter with Oka sonar.
;Mi-4MS
:Search helicopter with Soora infra-red sensor.
;Mi-4FV (Mi-4KV)
:Photographic and guidance helicopter.
;Mi-4Schch
:"Polar version" of Mi-4FV for working at the Soviet Arctic and Antarctic research stations.
;Mi-4SP
:Special rescue modification.
;Mi-4PG
:Experimental version equipped with an external load sling system.
;Mi-4SV
:Mi-4 with improved heat insulation for working in the Far North.
;Mi-4N "Filin" (Horned owl)
:Experimental reconnaissance version intended for night-time use.
;Mi-4KK (Mi-4VKP)
:Mobile command post.
;Mi-4KU (Mi-4VPU)
:Mobile command post for controlling Air Force units.
;Mi-4U
:Target-designator version carrying the Oospekh (Success) system.
;Mi-4GR
:Mi-4 fitted with Grebeshok-3 (Haircomb-3) wide-range panoramic detection and relay radar.
;Mi-4TARK
:TV-equipped artillery reconnaissance and spotting helicopter.
;Mi-4MK (Mi-4PP)
:ECM version.
;Mi-4UM
:Radio-controlled target drone version.
;[[Harbin Z-5]]
:Chinese military transport helicopter. Chinese production version.
;[[Harbin Z-6]]
:Prototype turbine powered version of the Z-5, no production undertaken.
;Xuanfeng
:Chinese civil transport helicopter. Chinese production version.

;Unnamed Variants

*Mi-4 minelayer version produced by converting troop-carrier helicopters.
*Mi-4 modified for transporting and laying gas pipelines.
*Mi-4 with Panorama 360  cin  camera system produced by conversion.
*Mi-4 with the Pristavka (Add-on) radio equipment developed in 1957 for guidance of remote-controlled reconnaissance balloons.
*Mi-4s used as testbeds. Apart from the above-mentioned versions, the Mi-4 and Mi-4A were widely used as testbeds of various kinds for testing subassemblies and systems of future aircraft, as well as equipment for other branches of industry.

==Operators==
;{{AFG}}
* [[Afghan Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 575">{{cite web | title = Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 575| url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202085.html| access-date = 2013-04-03}}</ref>
[[File:Mi-4 Riga.jpg|thumb|right|MI-4 in Riga aviation museum]]
;{{ALB}}
* [[Albanian Air Force]] - Seven Mi-4As were acquired from the Soviet Union between 1957 and 1958. One was lost in an accident. After diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union were severed, the Russians received the Z-5, an identical model.<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 575"/>
;{{DZA}}
* [[Algerian Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 575"/>
;{{flag|Bangladesh}}
* [[Bangladesh Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1981/1981%20-%202499.html|title= Military Helicopter Market 1981 pg. 321|publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=3 April 2013}}</ref>
;{{flagicon|People's Republic of Bulgaria}} [[People's Republic of Bulgaria]]
*[[Bulgarian Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 575"/>
*[[Bulgarian Navy]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%201653.html|title= Military Helicopter Market 1975 pg. 293|publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=3 April 2013}}</ref>
;{{CAM}}
* [[Cambodian Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 576">{{cite web | title = Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 576 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202086.html| access-date = 2013-04-03}}</ref>
;{{CHN}}
*[[People's Liberation Army Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 576"/>
;{{CUB}}
In 1961 and 1974, 85 Mi-4 Hound A were imported[https://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/cuba/Cuba-af-Mi4.htm].
*[[Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces#Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force|Revolutionary Armed Forces]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 576"/>
;{{CZS}}
* [[Czechoslovak Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 576"/>
;{{DDR}}
[[File:Helikopter SFRJ MI-4.jpg|right|thumb|A Mil Mi-4 at [[Belgrade Aviation Museum]]]]
*[[Air Forces of the National People's Army|East German Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 577">{{cite web | title = Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 577 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202091.html | access-date = 2013-04-03}}</ref> 
*[[Volksmarine|East German Navy]]<ref name=meyer>Meyer, Manfred. ''Mi-1 und Mi-4 - die ersten Hubschrauber'', "Fliegerrevue" Nr. 9/1999, p.55-59 (in German)</ref>
* [[Deutsche Lufthansa (East Germany)|Lufthansa]]<ref name=meyer/>
* [[Interflug]]<ref name=meyer/>
;{{EGY}}
* [[Egyptian Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 577"/>
;{{FIN}}
* [[Finnish Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 577"/>
;{{flagicon|HPR}} [[Hungarian People's Republic]]
* [[Hungarian Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 578">{{cite web | title = Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 578 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202092.html| access-date = 2013-04-03}}</ref>
;{{IND}}
* [[Indian Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 578"/>
India inducted the Mi-4 helicopter in the early 1960s, forming the backbone of its initial rotary-wing capability. It was acquired amidst geopolitical shifts and was later joined by the Mi-8 and other types, leading to a mixed-fleet scenario.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gupta |first=Anchit |title=The Accidental Fleet of the IAF |url=https://iafhistory.in/2024/03/27/the-accidental-fleet-of-the-iaf/ |website=IAFHistory |date=27 March 2024 |access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref>
;{{IDN}}
* [[Indonesian Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 578"/>
* [[Indonesian Army]]<ref name="Facebook Burung besi 737">{{cite web | title = Daffa Athaya's picture |website = [[Facebook]]| url = https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1880082252121122&set=p.1880082252121122&type=3&theater| access-date = 2019-02-25}}</ref>
;{{IRQ}}
* [[Iraqi Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 578"/>
;{{flag|Khmer Republic}}
* [[Khmer Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 576"/>
;{{flagdeco|Laos|1952}} [[Kingdom of Laos|Laos]]
* [[Royal Lao Air Force]]<ref name="Morrison, 1995 p. 102">Conboy and Morrison, ''Shadow War: The CIA's Secret War in Laos'' (1995), p. 102 (Notes 2, 9).</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/laos/laos-af2-all-time.htm|title=Royal Lao Air Force Aircraft Types|work=aeroflight.co.uk|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref>
;{{LAO}}
* [[Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force]]<ref name="Morrison, 1995 p. 102"/>
;{{MLI}}
*[[Military of Mali#Mali Air Force|Mali Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%201679.html|title= Military Helicopter Market 1975 Force Aerienne du Mali|publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=3 April 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Mil mi-4fi.jpg|thumb|200px|Mil Mi-4 of the Finnish Airforce]]
;{{MGL}}
*[[Mongolian People's Air Force|Mongolian Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202093.html|title= Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 579 |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=3 April 2013}}</ref>
;{{PRK}}
*[[North Korean Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1975 pg. 304">{{cite web | title = Military Helicopter Market 1975 pg. 304| url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%201678.html| access-date = 2013-04-03}}</ref>
;{{flagicon|PPR}} [[Polish People's Republic]]
*[[Polish Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 580">{{cite web | title = Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 580 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202094.html| access-date = 2013-04-03}}</ref>
*[[Polish Navy]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 580"/>
;{{flagicon|RSR}} [[Socialist Republic of Romania]]
*[[Romanian Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 580"/>
;{{SOM}}
* [[Somali Air Corps]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1981/1981%20-%202544.html|title= Military Helicopter Market 1981 pg. 372|publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=3 April 2013}}</ref>
;{{USSR}}
*[[Aeroflot]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1972/1972%20-%202045.html|title= Military Helicopter Market 1972 pg. 202|publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=3 April 2013}}</ref>
*[[Soviet Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 580"/>
*[[Soviet Navy]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1981/1981%20-%202546.html|title= Military Helicopter Market 1981 pg. 374|publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=3 April 2013}}</ref>
;{{SUD}}
* [[Sudanese Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 580"/>
;{{SYR}}
[[File:Mil Mi-4 Szolnok 2010 01.jpg|right|thumb|a Hungarian Mi-4]]
* [[Syrian Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 581">{{cite web | title = Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 581 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202097.html| access-date = 2013-04-03}}</ref>
;{{VIE}}
* [[Vietnam People's Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 581"/>
;{{flag|North Yemen}}
* North [[Yemen Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1971 pg. 581"/>
;{{YUG}}
* [[SFR Yugoslav Air Force|Yugoslav Air Force]]<ref name=" Military Helicopter Market 1975 pg. 304"/>

==Specifications (Mi-4A)==
[[File:MIL Mi-4 HOUND.png|thumb|Mil Mi-4 3-view drawing]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mi-4-specs.htm
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1 or 2
|capacity=16 troops or up to {{cvt|1600|kg|0}} of cargo
|length m=16.8
|length note=
|height m=4.4
|height note=
|empty weight kg=5100
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=7150
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=7550
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Shvetsov ASh-82V]]
|eng1 type=14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 kw=1250
|eng1 note=

|rot number=1
|rot dia m=21
|rot area sqm=346.4
|rot area note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=185
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=500
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=5500
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|disk loading kg/m2=41
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.21|kW/kg}}
|more performance=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Harbin Z-5]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Sikorsky H-19]]
* [[Sikorsky H-34]]
* [[Westland Wessex]]
|lists=
*[[List of most-produced rotorcraft]]
}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*Bill Gunston, ''An Illustrated Guide to Military Helicopters'', Salamander Books Ltd, London 1981. {{ISBN|978-0861011100}}
*Bob Ogden, ''Aviation Museums and Collections of The Rest of the World'', UK: Air-Britain 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-85130-394-9}}
*Kenneth Conboy with James Morrison, ''Shadow War: The CIA's Secret War in Laos'', Boulder CO: Paladin Press, 1995. {{ISBN|978-1-58160-535-8}}
*{{cite journal|title=Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation|journal=Air Enthusiast Quarterly |date=n.d. |issue=2 |pages=154–162 |issn=0143-5450}}

==External links==
{{commons|Mil Mi-4|Mil Mi-4}}

{{Mil aircraft}}
{{Czech helicopters}}
{{USAF/DoD reporting names}}

{{aviation.ru}}

[[Category:Military helicopters|Mi-04]]
[[Category:Mil aircraft]]
[[Category:1950s Soviet cargo aircraft]]
[[Category:1950s Soviet military transport aircraft]]
[[Category:1950s Soviet helicopters]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1952]]
[[Category:Single-rotor helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed quad landing gear]]