CH-47 Chinook vs Mi-26: how to tell them apart

Two military helicopters that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

CH-47 Chinook

Military helicopter, USA. In service since 1962

What gives it away

Two big three-blade rotors in tandem, one at each end of a long boxy fuselage, no tail rotor.

Used by

USA, UK, Netherlands, Spain, Australia and others

Mi-26

Military helicopter, Soviet Union. In service since 1983

What gives it away

The largest helicopter in service: an eight-blade main rotor, a huge fuselage with rear clamshell doors and a high tail.

Used by

Russia, Algeria, China and others

CH-47 Chinook · Mi-26 · All guides