Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, has put unique archive photographs on show at an exhibition being held in Terminal F of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport to celebrate 90 years of civil aviation in Russia.

Russia marked the 90th anniversary of civil aviation in the country on 9 February 2013. The exhibition, entitled “Russian Civil Aviation – 90 Years in the Skies and on the Ground”, honours this anniversary for the country’s aeronautics, and the pictures capture the civil helicopters and aircraft that have created the history of passenger and goods transportation in Russia. The display is a unique photo documentary reflecting aerospace fr om the 1930s to the present day, from the first developments to the latest machines.

Helicopter manufacturing has written its own chapter in the history of Russian civil aviation. The list of great aerospace constructors would not be complete without Mikhail Mil and Nikolai Kamov, the brilliant helicopter-builders who laid the foundations for the sector that grew and strengthened through the 1950s and 1960s. The names Mil and Kamov are known around the world, and have become a genuine Russian brand.

The exhibition at Sheremetyevo includes photographs from the archives of the renowned Mil and Kamov bureaux. The pictures on display are not staged shots, but rather a daily chronicle reflecting the real lives of those who created and operated the helicopters.

The pictures show Nikolai Kamov discussing with colleagues the workload of the Ka-18, which in 1958 received a gold medal at the World’s Fair in Brussels. Then there is the super-heavy and experienced Mi-12, which set a world record that still stands today by lifting 40 tons of cargo to a height of 2,000 meters. Another record-holder is the Ka-26, which has set five world marks. In other pictures there is miniature V-7 – the only rotorcraft in the world with turbojet engines at the ends of the blades. And of course there is a portrait of the country’s first transport helicopter – the Mi-4 – at work, landing on the roof of a building in Moscow. Passenger, medical and agricultural versions of the Mi-4 were produced in addition to the transport model, with 3,852 manufactured in total.

Helicopters are indispensable in civil aviation due to their agility, their ability to land on rough ground, and their economical fuel consumption. For many civilian operations, helicopters’ ability to take off and land vertically represents a major advantage over aircraft. “Russia is designed for helicopters,” Mikhail Mil said. Helicopters fly a wide range of transportation missions, helping oil workers and other professionals in their daily work in remote places wh ere the ground is inaccessible by air. Helicopters help to save people, to fight fires and deal with natural disasters.

Russia has a proud tradition and a long history of helicopter manufacturing. The country’s designers created a design for civil aircraft, many of which are still unique, unmatched anywhere in the world. Russian Helicopters is certain that the unique pictures on show at the exhibition at Sheremetyevo will help strengthen the image of the Russian helicopter industry to the widest possible audience.

Russian Helicopters continues to build on the traditions established by the great designers of the past. Today the company supplies multi-role helicopters to major global and Russian operators of civil helicopters and numerous government bodies. Russian helicopters continue to serve society to the benefit of the whole planet.

Kamov Ka15

Kamov Ka18

Kamov Ka26

Mil Mi-4

Mil Mi-12

Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of the Rostec State Corporation. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2011 its IFRS revenues increased 27.8% to RUB 103.9 billion. Deliveries reached 262 helicopters.

UIC Oboronprom, JSC is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002. It is a part of the Rostec State Corporation. Its main tasks include: helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters, JSC) and engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company).

The Russian Technologies State Corporation (Rostec) was established in 2007 to support Russian industry in developing, producing and exporting high-tech industrial products for civil and military use. The Corporation includes 663 companies, currently organised into 12 defence holdings and five holdings for civil industries. The Corporation has a presence in 60 of Russia’s regions, and exports its products to 70 countries. Russian Technologies State Corporation is headed by Sergei Chemezov. In 2011 the Corporation had net income of RUB 1.55 billion, and paid RUB 100 billion into budgets of all levels