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AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter Serial No. 76-22599 |
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| 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) | 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) |
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The Cobra was developed out
requirement of the Army to have a specialized aircraft for specialized fire suppression
and armed escort during the Vietnam War. The Bell UH-1 "Huey" was modified and
dedicated to this role, but the Huey’s aircraft design was not ideal for this
mission. The first Cobras reached Vietnam in August 1966. They were armed with a variety
of weapons systems depending on the mission. Usually 2.75" rocket pods were mounted
to the stub wings and machine guns in the nose. AH-1 Cobras were often teamed with the
OH-6 "LOACH" observation helicopter to seek out and destroy enemy personnel and
equipment in Vietnam. After the Vietnam war Cobras were improved and modified to carry
anti tank missiles. In Europe, until the fall of the Soviet Union, Cobras served as the
NATOs first line defense against the overwhelming numbers of Soviet tanks. The AH-1 also
served in the Gulf War as a potent attack helicopter. Accepted by the
Army in 1978, this TH-1P was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division
(Airmobile) where it served in the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion until May
1982. Subsequent our aircraft was transferred from Fort Campbell, KY to the 7th
Infantry Division to equip the Army’s newest Light Division with attack aircraft.
After service in Fort Ord, CA. in the 7th Combat Aviation Battalion, this
aircraft reassigned to the Army Aviation Center, to take advantage of its Trainer
configuration. It served at the Army’s Flight School training new Cobra pilots from
May 1983 to Feb 94.
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| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Crew: | 2 Pilots (pilot and pilot/gunner) |
| Powerplant: | Lycoming T53-L-703 (1800 shp) |
| Cruise Speed: | 140 kph |
| Range: | 315 miles |
| Armament: | 2.75 " rocket pods Nose mounted machine gun/cannon Nose mounted grenade launcher TOW (anti-tank) missiles |
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AH-1P Cobra 76-22599, flown by AAHF member Scott Melius, and escorted by USMC AH-1W flown by LTC John P. Dehart, USMC. |
