Step back to the 1960s, a golden era of heavy-lift aviation. Two giants ruled the skies—the American Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe and the Soviet Mil Mi-10, both nicknamed “Flying Cranes.” These helicopters weren’t just aircraft—they were airborne machines built to dominate payloads.
The CH-54, introduced in 1962, could lift an astonishing 10,000 kg, from armored vehicles to missile systems. Its skeletal fuselage and twin-engine power made it an icon of American engineering: brutal efficiency wrapped in a helicopter frame.
Across the Iron Curtain, the Mil Mi-10 emerged in 1960 with slightly higher lifting power—12,000 kg—and a unique design optimized for extreme heavy cargo. Its long, spindly landing gear and massive rotor system enabled feats that seemed impossible for the era. Engineers and pilots alike marveled at its precision under load.
Both machines redefined military logistics. They were more than helicopters; they were symbols of national ingenuity, a testament to how far engineering could push the boundaries of flight. Every lift, every hover, every cargo drop was a display of raw power and technical mastery.
For enthusiasts, these Flying Cranes remain legends—an era when the sky itself became a warehouse and nothing was too heavy to lift.
Keywords: Sikorsky CH-54, Mil Mi-10, Flying Crane, heavy-lift helicopter, military aviation history, payload capacity, 1960s helicopters.