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AH-1S Cobra, US Army
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Scale 1:32 Length (without rotors)17" Rotor
18"
Photography by Action Asia Photo
Simplified Development of the Huey Cobra Year Designation Canopy Engine SHP Sight TOW # Built 1967-73 AH-1G round L-13 1400 M-73 No 1,126 1975-76 AH-1Q round L-13 1400 M-73 Yes 92 1976-79 AH-1S round L-703 1485 M-73 Yes 290 1977-78 AH-1P square L-703 1485 M-73 Yes 100 1978-79 AH-1E square L-703 1485 M-73 Yes 98 1979-89 AH-1F square L-703 1485 HUD Yes ? That reaches the end of the Cobra Line. Next came
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The AH-1S Cobra is about halfway along the development line between the original AH-1G Cobra 'Snake' and the later modernized AH-1F Cobra. The AH-1G 'Snake' was the world's first helicopter specifically designed for the armed helicopter direct fire support role. While the US Army went forward with its sophisticated advanced aerial fire support system program (AAFSS) to provide an attack helicopter, Bell proceeded with another company sponsored prototype - Model 209 - using the Huey dynamics and an airframe similar to the initial design. The 209 first flew in September 1965. The urgent need for greater armed helicopter performance in Vietnam and the success of the 209 led to US Army orders for production models of the 209 as interim attack helicopters, pending production of the AAFSS (which, finally, never occurred). The original AH-1G Snake utilized many of the operational components of the Huey to include the 540 rotor system, T53 series engine, transmission, and tail rotor system. However, a much slimmer fuselage was adapted with a tandem seating arrangement. The slimmer fuselage allowed for a much faster and more agile aircraft mainly due to the reduction in aerodynamic drag, while the tandem seating created almost unlimited visibility. It had twice the speed of the older Hueys and could loiter over the target area three times as long with an improved armament system over previous gun ships. The AH-1G Snake was first deployed to Vietnam in September 1967. The Cobra's primary mission was to give fire support to troop-carrying Hueys. Its trial-by-fire introduction in Vietnam immediately provided ground commanders with air superiority without the wait of calling in the Air Force. The narrow 38" wide airframe presented a much more difficult target than it's derivative - the 100" wide UH-1. During the Vietnam War, the AH-1G Snake was used extensively in a variety of missions ranging from armed escort and reconnaissance to fire suppression and aerial rocket artillery. The AH-1G Snake has been modified and improved over the years including the AH-1S Cobra (model shown) to the present AH-1F Cobra. Specs:
AH-1S Cobra
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