Mikhail Mil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mikhail Mil
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Mil on a 1990 Russian commemorative postage stamp
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Mikhail Leontyevich Mil
22 November 1909 Irkutsk, Irkutsk Governorate, Russian Empire
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| Died | 31 January 1970 (aged 60) Moscow, Soviet Union
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| Nationality | Soviet Union (Russian) |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Spouse(s) | P.G. Rudenko (m. 1932) |
| Children | daughters (4); son (1) |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | Aeronautical Engineering |
| Employer(s) | Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant |
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Mikhail Leontyevich Mil (born November 22, 1909 – died January 31, 1970) was a brilliant Russian engineer and scientist. He is famous for creating many helicopters. Mil started and led the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, which designs these amazing flying machines.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mikhail Mil was born in Irkutsk, a city in Russia. His father worked for the Trans-Siberian railway, and his mother was a dentist. Even as a child, Mikhail loved flying.
When he was just 12 years old, Mil won first prize in a competition for model gliders. These are small aircraft that fly without an engine. This early success showed his talent for aviation.
In 1926, he started studying at the Siberian Technological Institute. However, this school did not have a special program for designing aircraft. So, in 1928, he moved to the Don Polytechnical Institute. There, he could finally focus on aviation. He graduated from the institute in 1931. In 1932, he married P.G. Rudenko, who was also a student. They had four daughters and one son.
Career and Helicopter Design
After finishing his studies, Mil began working at TsAGI. This was a very important research center for aviation in Russia. He became an expert in designing autogyros. Autogyros are like early helicopters, using a spinning rotor to create lift.
During World War II, Mil joined the Red Army in 1941. He fought on the Eastern Front. In 1943, he was called back to focus on research. His job was to make combat aircraft more stable and easier to control.
After the war, Mil continued his important work. In 1947, he became the head of the Helicopter Lab at TsAGI. This lab later became the famous Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. This is where he designed many of the world's most powerful and successful helicopters.
Amazing Achievements
Mikhail Mil's helicopters earned many awards. They also set 69 world records! One of his most famous designs was the Mil Mi-4. This helicopter won a gold medal at a big international exhibition in Brussels in 1958.
Another incredible achievement was the Mil Mi-12. This huge helicopter was known as the V-12 prototype. In 1971, after Mil's death, it won the Sikorsky Prize. This award recognized it as the most powerful helicopter in the world.
Mil was highly respected for his single-rotor helicopters. These designs were very successful and widely used. He passed away in 1970 in Moscow.
Awards and Honors
Mikhail Mil received many important awards for his contributions to aviation:
- Order of Lenin (three times)
- Order of the Red Banner of Labour
- Order of the Red Star
- Hero of Socialist Labour - This is a very high honor given for great achievements in work.
- Lenin Prize (1958)
- USSR State Prize (1968)
- Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd class
- Order of Polonia Restituta, 5th class (from Poland)
Images for kids
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The giant Mil V-12 helicopter at the Central Air Force Museum.
See also
In Spanish: Mijaíl Mil para niños
