MMP was founded in 1996 by Roger Wallsgrove, to publish "Mushroom Model Magazine". This quarterly modelling magazine was developed from "Mushroom Monthly”, a club newsletter which ran from 1985 to 1995, achieving a world-wide reputation for quality articles, fearless and honest reviews, and a great sense of humor. From 1997 the magazine was produced in collaboration with Robert Peczkowski and Artur Juszczak (Stratus), which meant a big leap in print quality and design. MMP expanded into book publication in 1999, and since then they have built up a list of books on aircraft and aviation, naval, military vehicles, and military history. MMP Books are distributed in North America by Casemate Publications.

The Mil Mi-8/17/171 Hip is a series of medium twin-turbine helicopters produced in Russia. Although the primary role is as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. The first flight was achieved on July 7, 1961. The Soviet military originally had no interest in what would become the Mi-8, but the American Huey changed that perspective in the Vietnam War. The Mil Hip is among the world's most-produced helicopters with over 17,000 manufactured with production still active. The Mil Hip has served with more than 80 countries and is the third most common operational military aircraft in the world.

This booklet is one of the latest in Mushroom Models' series, Scale Plans. This series format consists of a 4-view black and white scale plans; in this case the Mil Mi-8/17/171 Hip. Since this series is meant to support a much more detailed Mushroom Models monograph, you won’t find an introduction or background summary, as this series dives straight into the scale drawings. In this case, what you get is detailed scale plans on four A3 size for a total of eight fold-out pages. This book is a supplement to the 240 page MMP book: Mil Mi-8/17/171 Hip by Jakub Fojtik that was released on October 12, 2019. The 1/72 scale drawings cover top, bottom, front, port, and starboard profiles. These drawings depict variations in between selected variants as listed below. You will also find fuselage sections along with detailed scrap views of the armament that could be carried. The drawings includes the following variants:

• Mi-8T [Page 01]
• Mi-8S
• Mi-8TV [Page 04]
• Mi-8PPA
• Mi-17
• Mi-8AMTSZ (Mi-171)

MMP Books’ Mil Mi-8/17/171 Hip Scale Plans provides a quick reference for modelers. Although only 1/72 scale drawings are provided, they are valuable in supporting available kits in 1/144, 1/48, 1/35, as well as the multitude of releases in 1/72. There are many aftermarket options available in decals, photo-etch, and resin for any kit you desire..

My thanks to Casemate Publications, Mushroom Model Publications and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great book.

Highly recommended!