Bell Huey vs Mil MI-8
The Bell Huey (UH-1 family) and Mil Mi-8 are the two iconic Cold War utility helicopters — the Huey is the agile medium utility classic; the Mi-8 is the much larger, higher-capacity Soviet transport workhorse.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
No active listings right now.
- For sale now
- 1
- Model years available
- 2011–2011
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Bell Huey | MIL MI-8 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1 | 1 |
| Serious | 0 | 0 |
| Fatal | 0 | 1 |
| Fatalities | 0 | 13 |
| % Fatal | 0% | 100% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Bell Huey | MIL MI-8 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
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| Price Range | — | — |
| Category | — | — |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 13 | 24 |
| Horsepower | 1,400 HP | 1,700 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 111 kts (206 km/h) | 120 kts (222 km/h) |
| Range | 300 nm (556 km) | 267 nm (494 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 19,000 ft (5,791 m) | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 9,500 lbs (4,309 kg) | 28,660 lbs (13,000 kg) |
| Useful Load | 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) | 8,000 lbs (3,629 kg) |
| Fuel Burn | 90.0 GPH (341 L/h) | 180.0 GPH (681 L/h) |
| Engines | 1 x Turboshaft | 2 x Turboshaft |
Which Should You Buy: Bell Huey or MIL MI-8?
Bottom line: Choose the Mi-8 for far greater cabin volume and payload — a heavy utility transport. Choose the Huey for a smaller, more agile and more widely-supported (in the West) utility helicopter — selection comes down to payload class, region and parts access.
Pick the Huey if…
- Longer range — 300 nm vs 267 nm.
Pick the MI-8 if…
- More seats — 24 vs 13.
- Faster cruise — 120 kts vs 111 kts.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.