Sensation in Culitzsch: Soviet helicopter now in the vintage car museum!

Sensation in Culitzsch: Soviet helicopter now in the vintage car museum!

There is exciting news in Culitzsch for all lovers of historical technology. Starting next weekend, the friends of the vintage car museum in the small community are expecting a very special piece of history: a Soviet Mi-8 S transport helicopter, built in 1973, will be added to the collection. This old Russian not only has an impressive history behind it, but also a very special interior with armchairs and sofas in red velor that provide a glimpse into the past.

How Radio Zwickau Reportedly, the helicopter, which was in service until 1994, was used by NVA generals and civil servants from the former GDR. Club boss Danny Schwalbe found out about this special exhibit through an advertisement and a short time later was able to win over an entrepreneur from Pegau who had been using the Mi-8 S for advertising purposes since 1994. Details of the purchase price were not disclosed.

Transport and future use

The transport of the helicopter begins on Friday evening and, after dismantling the rotor blades and tanks, will take place to Culitzsch - a distance of 113 kilometers. The scheduled arrival is for Saturday at six a.m. In a first phase, the helicopter will then be restored, with work expected to begin in 2026. It is planned to make the interior accessible to visitors, which will certainly attract many interested parties.

But the Mi-8 S is not only a technical relic, but also a symbol of an eventful time in the middle of the Cold War. This era is particularly closely linked to the role of the National People's Army (NVA), which played an important role not only in Germany but also internationally. **A documentary shows how the NVA was involved during the intervention in Czechoslovakia in 1968**. Several NVA divisions are reported to have taken part in the invasion of the CSSR, but there are disputed reports as to whether they actually entered the territory. This is dealt with in a publication by Helios Verlag, which is based on contemporary witness reports that have not yet been published.

Loud OpenPR The contemporary witness reports are diverse. They range from a Czech student to NVA generals to other actors who acted as observers. Among other things, reference is made to Walter Ulbricht's approval of the Soviet intervention. On August 21, 1968, the day of the invasion, the Warsaw Pact's largest troop concentration of up to 400,000 soldiers was mobilized. Reports show that the GDR tanks were held back at the border on orders from the Soviets to avoid associations with the Nazi occupation in 1939.

Memories of the occupation

The occupation of the CSSR by the Warsaw Pact remains an important topic not only in history books. In the course of this there were also numerous tragedies: Loud bpb 108 people died during this intervention, the majority from military vehicles or gunfire. This time is strongly influenced by memories and today's commemorative events also show how important it is to keep the past in mind.

The Mi-8 S will therefore not only be an exhibit in the classic car museum, but also a link to the events that shaped the course of European history in the 20th century. With this helicopter, the Culitzsch technology friends are recording a part of this history, which will not only arouse the curiosity of those interested in technology, but also history enthusiasts.