In the 1960s, the United States Army (US Army) made extensive use of Bell UH-1 Iroquois/Huey transport helicopters - Model 204 and 205 - during the Vietnam War. However, it quickly became apparent that dedicated, heavily armed attack helicopters were needed - not only for escort of the transport helicopters, but also for direct attack on enemy forces.
Bell Helicopter began work on its own on an attack helicopter, designated as the Model 209, based on components from the proven UH-1 helicopter. The main assumptions of the new design were: a narrow fuselage, tandem seating (pilot in the back, weapons operator in the front), high mobility and great firepower. Among other things, the Lycoming T53 engine, rotor and main gearbox, and boom and tail rotor were used from the UH-1. This sped up the development of the structure and simplified logistics.
The first prototype of the Model 209 flew on September 7, 1965. The helicopter immediately demonstrated excellent flight characteristics and met the Army's requirements for armament and protection. In 1966, after a rapid testing process, the U.S. Army adopted a modified Model 209 under the designation AH-1G HueyCobra. This designation suggested a modified helicopter closely related to the Huey, while in fact it was an entirely new design.
The first AH-1Gs arrived in Vietnam in 1967. They proved to be excellent as fire support for ground troops and escort for transport helicopters. The Cobra quickly gained a reputation as a formidable and reliable weapon – giving ground forces a significant advantage over communist forces.
Initially, Cobras were armed with one or two six-barrel 7.62mm M134 machine guns (Minigun). Theoretically, in the M28 turret, one or both Miniguns could be replaced with a 40mm M129 automatic grenade launcher. In practice, finding a "right" grenade launcher was impossible, so only a combination of two Miniguns or one Minigun and one grenade launcher (on the left side) were seen. Additionally, 7- or 19-tube FFAR unguided rocket launchers or M18 pods with additional Miniguns could be suspended under the wings. When communist units started using the heaviest machine guns (referred to by the Americans as .51 caliber) the threat to Cobras increased and created the need to arm them with long-range weapons. For this purpose, the M35 weapon system was developed with a six-barrel 20mm M195 cannon (a shortened version of the M61 Vulcan cannon), which enabled them to fight back with enemy heavy machine guns.
My model of the AH-1G Cobra helicopter shows the machine with serial number 69-16442. This number reminded soldiers of the popular Oldsmobile 4-4-2 sports car of the time. In connection with this, the helicopter received its own name "Dr. Oldsmobile" and an emblem depicting the Doctor himself, copied from a car advertisement, was drawn on it. The helicopter was armed with three seven-barrel launchers (designated XM158) of 70mm FFAR rockets, an M28 turret with a grenade launcher on the left side and a Minigun on the right side, and additionally with an M35 weapon system with a 20mm cannon. The helicopter served in Company D of the 227th Attack Helicopter Battalion and is shown in the livery of this unit. In November 1970, Company D was renamed Company (Troop) E of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, and then the painting of the machine I am showing you changed (instead of the roman numeral VIII on the main gear housing, a yellow star, which was the insignia of this unit, was painted).
| Overall length: | 16 146 mm |
| Length (fuselage): | 13 540 mm |
| Height: | 4 110 mm |
| Main rotor diameter: | 13 411 mm |
| Empty weight: | 2 635 kg |
| Maximum takeoff weight: | 4 309 kg |
| Propulsion: | Lycoming T53-L-13 820 kW turboshaft engine |
| Armament: | M28 turret with two M134 7.62mm machine guns or one M134 machine gun and one M129 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Alternatively, TAT-102 turret with one M134 7.62mm machine gun. Additionally, four points for suspending weapons such as unguided rocket pods and gun pods |
| Range: | 574 km |
| Maximum speed: | 227 km/h |
| Crew: | 2 people (pilot and weapons operator) |
