On March 7, 1966, a pair of Mil Mi-6 and Mil Mi-10 helicopters set off on a long journey.

After making refueling landings in Vitebsk, Vilnius, Warsaw, Berlin, Copenhagen and Beuningen, the group arrived in Rotterdam where demonstration flights were supposed to take place the following 12 March.
But the Dutch provided only two cargo options: too large with 27 tons and too small with 1 ton; so the Soviets were limited to a 20-minute flight over the city and communication with journalists.

The press unequivocally assessed the refusal to fly with the cargo as a failure of the Soviet mission. But on March 14, the helicopters flew to Amsterdam, where the Mi-10 made several spectacular flights with a 12-ton Caterpillar bulldozer mounted on the loading platform.
This demonstration prompted local newspapers to change the tone of their articles.

As a result, the Dutch purchased a Mi-10 through Aviaexport, which they soon resold to the Americans.
In the United States the helicopter passed 170 hours of testing and was highly praised.
The Economist wrote: - "American industry cannot compete with the Soviet Mi-6 with its 120 passengers or with the Mi-10 flying crane, which can carry 15 tons of cargo on a platform inserted between stork legs of the frame."