Following the success of the Mi-1, Mi-4 and Mi-6 (Mil designations weren't in order for whatever reason), the Mil design bureau chose to revive the concept behind the Mi-1, though updated with two vastly superior turbine engines. After years of development, the Mi-2 "Hoplite" became ready for its first flight in 1961, entering mass production in 1965 to take the Mi-1's place in most aspects of Soviet aviation. Having realised the potential for assault and attack helicopters thanks to the Mi-4, the Mi-2 was often fitted with rocket pods and cannons to fulfil close air support tasks, but was mostly used in a transport and liaison capacity. Production of the Mi-2 was carried out exclusively by PZL in Poland, and has arguably become the nation's most successful helicopter in history thanks to its versatility, low cost and excellent reliability. This also makes it the only Soviet designed helicopter to ever be produced by an Eastern Bloc satellite state and not in the USSR itself. During an impressive 37 year production run, more than 5,500 Mi-2s were built; finding long term homes in the Eastern Bloc and abroad. Predictably, the Polish armed forces currently operate a large number of Hoplites, though primarily for training future Mi-8/17 pilots the basics of helicopter flight. It has even been in use with the North Korean Air Force for some time. Honestly, this could quite possibly be my all time favourite helicopter ever; much more so than the AH-64, KA-50, AH-1 or anything else built with the sole purpose of just killing things. I think there's something very admirable about it (mainly its diversity) and how it just keeps on rolling in so many parts of the world, regardless of age! In this sense, I'd happily compare it to the American Huey but as far as I'm concerned, this really takes the biscuit. In terms of the SimplePlanes iteration, I can say with absolute certainty that the damned wheels were the single most challenging part of the entire thing to make (this als