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Bell AH-1G 'Cobra'

Description
Notes: Attack helicopter with 540 rotor system, reduced cabin frontal area CHIN-MOUNTED gun turret, and external armament.
  Manufacturer:Bell
  Base model:AH-1
  Designation:AH-1
  Version:G
  Nickname:Cobra
  Designation System:U.S. Tri-Service
  Designation Period:1962-Present
  Basic role:Helicopter
  Modified Mission:Attack
  Crew:Pilot and gunner
  First Flew:1965

Specifications
  Length: 52' 11.5" 16.1 m
  Height:13' 5.5" 4.1 m
  Wingspan: 44' 0" 13.4 m
  Wingarea: 1,520.0 sq ft 141.2 sq m
  Gross Weight: 6,096 lb 2,764 kg
  Max Weight: 9,500 lb 4,308 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 1
  Powerplant: Lycoming T53-L-13
  Horsepower (each): 1400

Performance
  Range: 362 miles 582 km
  Cruise Speed: 166 mph 267 km/h 144 kt
  Max Speed: 219 mph 352 km/h 190 kt
  Climb: 1,680 ft/min 512 m/min
  Ceiling: 10,800 ft 3,291 m

History
DateSubjectEvent
1969/04/18 The first Marine AH-1G gunship flew its first operational mission in Vietnam with VMO-2.

Known serial numbers
66-15248 / 66-15357, 67-15450 / 67-15869, 68-15000 / 68-15213, 68-17020 / 68-17113, 69-16410 / 69-16447 , 70-15936 / 70-16105 , 71-15090 / 71-15093 , 71-20983 / 71-21052 , 72-21461 / 72-21464 , 157204 / 157241 , 715850 , 815037 / 815039 , 815045 / 815046 , 815072 / 815073 , 815074 / 815078 , 815079 / 815080 , 815081 / 815084 , 815085 , 815086 / 815103 , 815104 / 815105 , 815106 / 815111 , 815112 / 815113 , 815134 , 815140 , 815165 , 815170 , 815176 , 815190 , 815194 , 815198 , 815213 , 817023 , 817027 , 817041 , 817045 , 817049 , 817062 , 817066 , 817070 , 817082 , 817086 , 817090 , 817101 , 817105 , 817108

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
New England Air MuseumWindsor LocksConnecticut
Patton Museum of Calvary & ArmourFt. KnoxKentucky
United States Army Aviation MuseumOzarkAlabama

AH-1G on display

New England Air Museum

United States Army Aviation Museum
   


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Randy Stastny
 Peachtree City, GA
I flew the AH-1G in RVN with the 2/20 ARA. Still flying today, but in nothing as sweet as the AH-1G. (VNE of 196!!! - Though I had one up to 205 at tree tops over Fort Stewart. My IP was not impressed.) What an incredible bird.
05/19/2015 @ 13:40 [ref: 69097]
 Jeffrey H. Lovering
 Sylvania, PA
I was a crew chief on AH-1G /co-pilot from 1972-1975 US Army GE. I am researching the ECU systems related to exposure of Agent Orange and Toxins. Questions: could outside contaminated air become lodged in the ECU and remain, subjecting pilots to contaminants? How long could Toxins(Agent Orange)be active after the AH-1G was shipped back to the US from Vietnam?
12/12/2013 @ 02:16 [ref: 68227]
 Colin Grey
 Newhaven, OTH
Hi,
My role is Curator of Aircraft at Australia's National Vietnam Veterans Museum www.nationalvietnamvetsmuseum.org we have in our collection AH-1G Cobra 0-15092 and are interested in learning the details of its operations in Vietnam. Any air or ground crew who have a connection with this particular aircraft and wish to add information all will be gratefully received.
Many thanks
Colin
10/24/2012 @ 19:53 [ref: 67333]
 John Palmer
 , CA
I flew and instructed in G's, The Mod S and the MC later the F. The G once the tail rotor was moved to the right side was far and away my favorite to fly. It was faster, more manuverable and more of a pilots aircraft than later models. Please note that the picture in front of the New England Air Museun is a Mod S not a G. The aircraft can be easily identified by the G fuselage with the TSU on the nose for the TOW missle system. The G never had this system.
10/29/2010 @ 21:06 [ref: 32597]
 Bernard Reth
 San Francisco, CA
There is a mounted AH-1S at the airfield at Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA, 20 minutes east of Harrisburg, PA. Also a UH-1H and an OH-6A.
01/02/2010 @ 20:02 [ref: 25511]
 Bernard Reth
 San Francisco, CA
There is a mounted AH-1S at the airfield at Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA, 20 minutes east of Harrisburg, PA. Also a UH-1H and an OH-6A.
01/02/2010 @ 20:02 [ref: 25510]
 Mark Seitzinger
 Louisville, KY
I was the crew chief on AH-1S S/N 66-15283 at Ft. Lewis, WA 1982-1984. B Co. 214th AHB.
02/17/2009 @ 09:38 [ref: 23751]
 Karalin McKain Alsdurf
 Lenexa, KS
To Mike Austin and any others out there who knew my cousin Bobby Lyn McKain. I was notified today that Bobby Lyn's remains have been recovered. His Cobra was shot down on May 3, 1968.
06/28/2008 @ 16:16 [ref: 21714]
 Joseph Armelin
 The Woodlands, TX
The AH-1G was the greatest!! I flew it in D Co, 229th Avn,1st Cav and B Troop 1/9 Cav, 1st Cav from Sept 70 to Sept 71. In B Troop, we had 2 of the oldest Cobras still flying. 66-15331 and 66-15345. 345 was a sweetheart because it was lighter than most Cobras, but didn't have an ECU in it. I really got warm in that bird, but it could carry more rockets and ammo than most.
Anybody out there that might have been in one of those units?? Would love to hear from you.
12/18/2007 @ 10:22 [ref: 18953]
 Alex Voog
 , IL
THANK YOU , you HEROES of Southeast Asia. The sacrifice of your friends and compatriots in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and flying out of Thailand,the Phillipines, and from the decks of our carriers, is not ,and SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. You are ALL, the Living and the Lost, HEROES in my book and will ALWAYS BE HONORED in MY household. THANK YOU for the gift of FREEDOM. You will live FOREVER in out hearts.....
08/24/2007 @ 12:41 [ref: 17738]

 

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