| First
flown in prototype form on September 7, 1965, and named Huey Cobra, this
helicopter was first delivered to the US Army in June, 1967, and within
two months the helicopter was being used operationally in Vietnam. US Marine
Corps interest in this helicopter resulted in 38 AH-1Gs being supplied
from the US Army production line in 1969. The HueyCobra has small stub-wings
that serve the dual purpose of offloading the rotor in flight, and of carrying
armament. Armor protection is provided for the helicopter crew in the form
of Noroc side panels and seats, with other vital areas protected by panels
of the same material. The AH-1W SuperCobra was a later USMC version of
the helicopter with two GE T700-GE-700 engines, producing 1,690-shp each,
and with better protection and avionics. Until the advent of the McDonnell
Douglas AH-64 Apache, the Bell AH-1 was the US Army's prime anti-armor
helicopter, and large numbers of this helicopter are still in service.
The AH-1J used one 1,800-shp Pratt & Whitney of Canada T400-CP-400
twin-engined turboshaft unit, giving the helicopter a maximum speed at
sea level of 195 mph, hovering ceiling in ground effect 12,450 feet, and
a range with maximum fuel of 359 miles. Helicopter armament was one M-197
three-barrel 20-mm cannon in undernose turret, and up to 2,200 lbs of weapons
(XM-18 Minigun pods, XM-157 seven-tube or XM-159 19-tube 70-mm/2.75-in.
rocket pods) on four underwing racks. |
All helicopter models are Hand Carved, Hand Painted
Mahogany and come fully assembled with removable desk stand. |