While the ubiquitous UH-1 "Huey" could perform a variety of roles, it was found to be too slow for the gunship or escort role. Bell Helicopter won the competition for an interim fast armed escort helicopter in March 1966, against the Sikorsky S-61 and the Kaman H-2 Tomahawk, while the Army was waiting for the fielding of the AAFSS AH-56A Cheyenne. The AAFSS program was cancelled in 1972.

Some early model AH-1G Cobras mounted either two M134 "Miniguns" or two M129 grenade launchers in a M28A1 chin-turret (TAT-141). Because of problems with the ammunition feed systems, the twin-gun configuration was discontinued. The Cobra was first employed to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in August 1967. The Cobra's primary mission was to give fire support to troop carrying "Hueys". The AH-1G Cobra was powered by a single Lycoming T53-L-13 1400 shp turbine engine, and had a speed of 196 mph (170 knots), almost twice the speed of the UH-1 "Huey". The AH-1G Cobra used the M73 reflex sight. The Cobra performed it's job so well it was possible for the first time for "slicks" and gun ships to operated as true air cavalry.

Later models of the AH-1G Cobra, or "Snake", were armed with 2.75 inch (70mm) Folding Fin Aerial Rockets (FFARS) in M158 seven-tube or M200 19-tube rocket launchers, used so effectively at An Loc in 1972. The Cobra had a chin-turret on the M28/M28A1 armament subsystem. The chin-turret mounted the M134 7.62mm "Minigun" and the M129 40mm grenade launcher. The AH-1G could also be armed with the M134 "Minigun" in fixed side-mounting M18/M18A1 gun pod, and the port (left) side mounting M195 20mm automatic gun on the M35 armament subsystem. The AH-1G could also mount the XM118 smoke grenade dispenser.

The new dual-engine Cobra model continues the growing collection of Corgi assault helicopters. The Marines do a lot of flying over water, so whenever possible, they like to have aircraft with two engines, just in case. The Army G Model Cobra had proved very effective over the jungles of Vietnam so the Marines asked Bell to design a dual-engine model, the J.

Pictured here is a 1:48 scale replica of a US Army AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter that was flown by First Lieutenant van Joyce and Captain Joel Hagerman, then deployed ro Phouc Vinh, Vietnam,during May 1970. Like the other vehicles in the "Unsung Heroes" line, this Cobra has been 'muddied' to give it a more weathered appearance. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 11-inches
Width: 3-1/4-inches

Release Date: January 2005

Historical Account: "Answering the Bell" - Bell Helicopter developed the Cobra in 1965 and by 1967 it was flying its first missions in Vietnam. CW2 Walker Jones and SP4 "Mac" McCloy flew this Corbra out of Phouc Vinh in May 1970. In March 1971, it was shot down, with First Lieutenant van Joyce and gunner Captain Joel Hagerman killed in action.