Mi17 - they build them tough!

[Tiger Tales]

This photo is allegedly of a Syrian AF Mi17 that was hit by a manpad and the crew managed to get it back to base safely!!


Source is from a Farcebook page unfortunately
https://www.facebook.com/IAFSu30/pho...type=3&theater

[NutLoose]

It'll buff out, it reminds me of the French Jag that took one and got home. AAA I believe

http://bdd.deltareflex.com/cns_affiche.php?image=7147

http://sylvaingourheu.piwigo.com/_da...56cb994-me.jpg

[ORAC]

Who needs wings when you have body lift......

(Yes, the ones on the left are photoshopped, but the story is true)

[NutLoose]

Even McD didn't believe it when they got the call, once a new wing was nailed on it was back up and running in weeks.

[Just This Once...]

Does not look like a manpad strike to me.

[Tourist]

You can see where the projectile hit coming in from the stbd quarter towards the exhaust.

[Just This Once...]

Indeed, the marks are quite clear and are what I based my thoughts on.

[Lonewolf_50]

Just This Once:
Are you suggesting RPG hit it, not MANPAD?

[Wageslave]

I think he's suggesting a canon shell hit by the sound of it. At least, a single one-piece projectile.

???

[Just This Once...]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf_50

Just This Once:
Are you suggesting RPG hit it, not MANPAD?

It could be, certainly fin stabilised. The grazed entry wound does not have the slight rippling you get with a slowish RPG hit on an aircraft skin (although the fire and poor camera angle may be disguing them) but the exit holes are about right for an unexploded RPG, amongst other things. Outside of a random problem I would expect an S5 or larger to go bang in the geometry/structure above, but something like an RPG7 would not. There are no 'whiskers' around the entry point (often seen with glancing S5/S8 hits) either.

Anyway, whatever it was I am sure the crew are grateful that it didn't go bang. Soft skin and a grazing impact probably nicked the fuse off the nose of the projectile.