Bell Super Cobra AH-1 Model Helicopter

Item#: 80527

This Bell Super Cobra AH-1 Helicopter Model comes with a customized detachable stand and a laminated United States Army logo that adds magnificence into this detailed Display Model.

Bell Super Cobra AH-1 History:

The AH-1 development began in 1965, fitting the successful and existing UH-1B/C model powerplant, transmission and rotor systems to the newly-designed Cobra fuselage. The fuselage featured tandem seating with the pilot in read and gunner in front (though controls for weapons and piloting are doubled in each position for emergency purposes) and wing stubs are fitted to alleviate flight stress on the main rotor in flight - along with provisions for air-to-surface and air-to-air weaponry (the latter to appear in future variants). The initial prototype was flown a short six months after the design was produced.

In today’s military the HueyCobra (or simply "Cobra") weapon system performs anti-armor, air cavalry and armed reconnaissance roles and can attack point (individual) targets with its anti-armor and anti-helicopter capabilities. It also provides fire support and security missions. The AH-1Q model introduced the ability to fire wing-mounted TOW anti-tank missiles. From there, future versions were see improved avionics, radar and targeting controls as well as upgraded powerplants. The array of weapons that could be fitted to the Cobra increased as well, covering the gamut of HE rocket pods, cannon pods, minigun pods, anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missiles. The short wing stubs of the AH-1W SuperCobra model are cleared to carry Hughes TOW anti-tank missiles, AGM-65 ASM Maverick missiles, Hellfire anti-armor missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, the Sidearm anti-radiation (anti-radar) missiles and Hydra 70 rockets (in multiple shot pods). The standard main armament of the AH-1 Cobra is its three-barrel 20mm gatling gun mounted in a powered chin turret. The mix of weaponry depends entirely on the operating country and the individual Cobra model. Cobras can be armed with TOW and Hellfire anti-armor missiles, Sidewinder anti-aircraft missiles, Sidearm anti-radar missiles, Hydra 70 rockets, 20mm (.80 caliber) cannon and a 7.62mm (.30 caliber) machine gun.

The AH-1 Cobra series has proven capable of engaging enemy armor and troops in a support or offensive role - which it currently does in today’s Iraq War. It has a high survivability rate as well and has shown its worth in battles since the Vietnam war. Various improvement programs have kept the AH-1 Cobra in the front lines of the US Army's arsenal. Ultimately, the AH-1 Cobra was to be replaced by the stealthy new RAH-66 Comanche helicopter until the project was abruptly cancelled in early 2004. Initial versions of the Cobra were powered by a single turbine engine, though the aforementioned US Marine Corps SuperCobra variant features dual turbine engines.