Warplanes of the USA: Bell AH-1 Cobra

Bell AH-1 Cobra

(Headquarters Marine Corps Operation/Exercise/Event: Operation Iraqi Freedom, Lance Cpl C. H. Fitzgerald Photo)

Cpl Alvin Hicks, of Marine Wing Support Squadron 373's bulk fuels section, refuels an AH-1W Cobra from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in a forward aircraft refueling point at an air base in Iraq, 28 Nov 2005.

The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a single-engined attack helicopter developed and manufactured by the American rotorcraft manufacturer Bell Helicopter. A member of the prolific Huey family, the AH-1 is also referred to as the Huey Cobra or Snake.

The AH-1 was rapidly developed as an interim gunship in response to the United States Army's needs in the Vietnam War. It used the same engine, transmission and rotor system as the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, which had already proven itself to be a capable platform during the conflict but paired it with a redesigned narrow fuselage among other features. The original AH-1, being a dedicated attack helicopter, came equipped with stub wings for various weapons, a chin-mounted gun turret, and an armoured tandem cockpit, from which it was operated by a pilot and gunner. Its design was shaped to fulfill a need for a dedicated armed escort for transport helicopters, giving the latter greater survivability in contested environments. On 7 September 1965, the Model 209 prototype performed its maiden flight; after rapidly gaining the support of various senior officials, quantity production of the type proceeded rapidly with little revision.

During June 1967, the first examples of the AH-1 entered service with the US Army and were promptly deployed to the Vietnam theater. It commonly provided fire support to friendly ground forces, escorted transport helicopters, and flew in "hunter killer" teams by pairing with Hughes OH-6A Cayuse scout helicopters. In the Vietnam War alone, the Cobra fleet cumulatively chalked up in excess of one million operational hours; roughly 300 AH-1s were also lost in combat. In addition to the US Army, various other branches of the US military also opted to acquire the type, particularly the United States Marine Corps. Furthermore, numerous export sales were completed with several overseas countries, including Israel, Japan, and Turkey.

For several decades, the AH-1 formed the core of the US Army's attack helicopter fleet, seeing combat in Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, and the Gulf War. In US Army service, the Cobra was progressively replaced by the newer and more capable Boeing AH-64 Apache during the 1990s, with the final examples being withdrawn during 2001. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) operated the Cobra most prolifically along its land border with Lebanon, using its fleet intensively during the 1982 Lebanon War. Turkish AH-1s have seen regular combat with Kurdish insurgents near Turkey's southern borders. Upgraded versions of the Cobra have been developed, such as the twin engined AH-1 SeaCobra/SuperCobra and the experimental Bell 309 KingCobra. Furthermore, surplus AH-1 helicopters have been reused for other purposes, including civilian ones; numerous examples have been converted to perform aerial firefighting operations. (Wikipedia)

(USMC, Staff Sgt. J.D. Cress Photo)

AH-1W Super Cobras from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced) prepare for take-off during live-fire exercises on Udairi Range. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently deployed in Kuwait for acclimatization and sustainment training to maintain readiness in support of the Global War on Terrorism throughout the Northern Arabian Gulf region.

(Hawaii Army National Guard, TSgt Vail Photo)

Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter, front, and an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter flying in formation during Exercise OPPORTUNE JOURNEY 85-3. Both helicopters are from the 19th Air Cavalry, Hawaii Army National Guard, 1 June 1985.

(USN Photo)

USMC Bell AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter taking off from an amphibious assault ship, 5 June 2005.

(USN Photo

Marine pilots of an AH-1W Cobra Attack Helicopter practice "touch and gos" aboard the USS Kearsarge, on 28 April 2005.

(Alan Radecki Photo)

USMC Bell AH-1 SuperCobra at the Mojave Airport,  19 July 2007.

List of displayed Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters:

United States

Airworthy

AH-1F
66-15283 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N830HF.

66-15295 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N950LE.

67-15481 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N481HF.
67-15589 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N589HF.
67-15766 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N766HF.
67-15826 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. NN826HF.

67-15854-S - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N854HF.

68-17082 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N820HF.

70-15942-S - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N942HF.
71-20998 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N998HF.

79-23195 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N195LE.
79-23233 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N233LE.
83-24197 - Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia. Reg. No. N197LE, crashed.
TAH-1P
76-22599 - Lone Star Flight Museum, Houston, Texas.
76-22601 - privately owned in Acton, California.
76-22695 - privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.
76-22707 - privately owned in Olympia, Washington.
77-22758 - privately owned in Las Vegas, Nevada.
AH-1S
80-23517 - Celebrate Freedom Foundation in Columbia, South Carolina.

Display

AH-1E (ECAS) Enhanced Cobra Armament System

(Carmelo Turdo Photo)
78-23063 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5327 in Wentzville, Missouri.

AH-1E

78-23066 - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5590.

AH-1F
66-15309 – Veterans Administration Medical Center, Walsenburg, Colorado.
66-15316 – Jackson County Veterans Memorial Park in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

66-15343 – Noevel Barnett Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1341, Bull Shoals, Arkansas.

(Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #813 Photo)
66-15348 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #813, Du Bois, Pennsylvania.
67-15457 – National Guard Armory at Warrensburg, Missouri.

(Skytamer.com, John Shupek Photo)

67-15471 - Silver Bell Army heliport, Marana. Pinal Airpark, Arizona. C/N 20135.
67-15474 – Alfonso Mazzini Memorial Park in Mark, Illinois. C/N 20139.

(Glenn Chatfield Photo)

67-15475 – Veterans Memorial Park in Dixon, Illinois. C/N 20139.
67-15480 – Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio.

(Mark Knapp Photos)

67-15491 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1621 in Janesville, Wisconsin.
67-15535 - Camp Perry, Ohio.
67-15479 - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6491 in Burlington, Colorado.
67-15508 - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
67-15599 – Leo Boston Vietnam Memorial Park at Fremont County Airport in CanonCity, Colorado.
67-15633 – Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in Rio Grande, NewJersey.
67-15650 – Veterans Memorial Park in Wahpeton, North Dakota.
67-15659 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6550 in Strum, Wisconsin.

67-15664 - Iowa Gold Star Military Museum Camp Dodge, Iowa National Guard HQ,
67-15684 - Susanville Municipal Airport, Susanville, California.
67-15690 – Niagara Aerospace Museum in Niagara Falls, New York.
67-15720 – Hoosier Air Museum in Auburn, Indiana.
67-15722 – Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park, Tampa, Florida.
67-15736 – Veterans Memorial Park in Island Lake, Illinois.

(Dave Gorman Photo)
67-15759 – Aviation Museum of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. C/N 20423.

67-15771 - Troy, Alabama. C/N 20435.  This aircraft is mounted on a pylon just off Hwy 231 and Elba Road.
67-15813 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #11038 in Waterford, Wisconsin.
67-15824 – Bangor, Wisconsin.
67-15831 – Memorial Park, Alma, Georgia.

67-15865 - 1st Cavalry Division Museum, Fort Hood, Texas.
68-15001 – Veterans Park in Kremmling, Colorado.

68-15052 - 1st Cavalry Division Museum, Fort Hood, Texas.

(Martin McGuire Photos)

68-15085 - American Legion Post # 460, Beaverdale, Pennsylvania.
68-15106 – Fireman's Park in North Lake, Wisconsin.
68-15110 – New Hartford American Legion Post #1376 in New Hartford, New York.
68-15116 – Matchaponix, New Jersey.
68-15131 – Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee.
68-15133 – American Legion Post #237 in Footville, Wisconsin.
68-15138 – American Helicopter Museum & Education Center in West Chester,Pennsylvania.
68-15142 – Don F. Pratt Museum in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
68-15152 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8280 in Mosinee, Wisconsin.
68-17085 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5156 in Sweetwater, Tennessee.

(Author Photo)

68-17113 - 1st Cavalry Division Museum, Fort Hood, Texas.

(Alan Wilson Photo)
69-16416 – March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California. C 20848. 69-16416’ served in the War in Vietnam and the Gulf War.
69-16434 – Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
70-15967 - American Legion Post #34 in Gordon, Nebraska.

(Daniel L. Berek Photo)
70-15969 – Muir AAF, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

(dguyellison Photo)
70-15993 – Russell Military Museum in Zion, Illinois. C/N 20937.

70-16001 - American Legion Post #157, Donalsonville, Georgia.
70-16034 - American Legion Post #48 in Chesnee, South Carolina.
70-16045 – Washington Park in Washington, Illinois. C/N 20989.
70-16091 – Aviation Army Command, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.
70-17028 - Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona
70-19936 - Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Washington
71-21028—Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4250 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
71-21044 – Harold A. Fritz Veterans Park by American Legion Post #24 in LakeGeneva, Wisconsin.
79-23209 - Pennsylvania NG, Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
83-24193 – Hamilton Veterans Park in Hamilton, New Jersey.

AH-1G-BF

(Skytamer.com, John Shupek Photo)

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66-15255 - Silver Bell Army heliport, Marana. Pinal Airpark, Arizona. C/N 20011.

AH-1G
66-15249 - American Legion Post #255 in Croswell, Michigan.
66-15298 – Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island, Hawaii.
67-15574 – Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, California.
67-15642 – Veterans Memorial Park of Collegedale, Tennessee.
67-15675 – Selfridge Military Air Museum in Harrison Township, Michigan.
68-15022 – American Legion Post #54 in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
70-16084 – MAPS Air Museum in North Canton, Ohio.

(C4A Photo)
70-16086 – Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks in Springfield, Missouri.
70-16090 – Don F. Pratt Museum in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
71-21003 – Pound, Wisconsin.
71-21038 – Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas.
71-21047 – Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham, Alabama

AH-1S

(Michael Barera Photo)
67-15546 – Arkansas Air & Military Museum in Fayetteville, Arkansas. C/N 20210.

67-15513 - Hill City, Minnesota. AZ-NG, C/N 20177, mounted on pylons.
67-15661 – American Legion Post #100 in Sparta, Wisconsin.
67-15685 – New Jersey National Guard Museum, in Sea Girt, New Jersey.
67-15687 – Butts AAF, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

67-15815 - Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, Minneapolis, Minnesota. C/N 20479, mounted on pylons.

(Michael Barera Photo)

67-15817 - Arkansas Air & Military Museum, Fayetteville, Arkansas. C/N 20481.
68-15018 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6043, Ellington, Missouri.
68-15054 – Big Spring Vietnam Memorial, Big Spring, Texas.
68-15067 – Butts AAF, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

(Mark Knapp Photo)

68-15123 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9392 in Lowell, Wisconsin.
68-15146 – CAF Airpower Museum in Midland, Texas.
68-15151 – American Legion Post #114 in Eagle River, Wisconsin.
68-15153 – Texas Military Forces Museum in Austin, Texas.
68-15169 – American Legion Post #339 in Almond, Wisconsin. C/N 20703, mounted on a concrete pylon.
68-15179 – City of Hubbard, Texas.
68-15200 – National Military Heritage Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri.

(Carmelo Turdo Photos)
68-15204 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5077, O'Fallon, Missouri.
68-17026 – American Legion Post #75 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

(Timothy Aanerud Photo)

68-17042 - Arlington, Minnesota. C/N 20770.
68-17099 – American Legion Post #309 in Kendall, Wisconsin.
69-16437 – Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey in Teterboro, NewJersey.
70-15036 – Wheeler Army Airfield, Wahiawa, Hawaii.
70-15155 – Moffett Historical Museum, Moffett Federal Airfield, California.
70-15805 - American Legion Hall in Charlotte, Michigan.
70-15936 - Fort Polk Military Museum, Louisiana.

70-15940 – U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum, Huntsville, Alabama.

(Carmelo Turdo Photo)
70-15944 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3944, Overland, Missouri.
70-15948 – Wisconsin Veterans Tribute in Cadott, Wisconsin. Mounted on a pylon.
70-15975 – The Iron County Courthouse in Hurley, Wisconsin.
70-15976 – Hap Arnold Boulevard, Tobyhanna Army Depot in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.
70-15981 – New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

(Author Photos)
70-15985 – Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
70-15998 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7694 in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.
70-16000 – Wisconsin National Guard Memorial Library and Museum at Volk FieldAir National Guard Base in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin.

70-16032 -Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center,  Shakopee, Minnesota. Mounted on a pylon.

(Danny Chapman Photo)

70-16038 - Battleship Cove, Fall River, Massachusetts.
70-16044 – American Legion Post #110 in New Lisbon, Wisconsin.
70-16047 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8068 in Elderon, Wisconsin.

(Michael Barera Photo)

70-16050 - Arkansas Air & Military Museum, Fayetteville, Arkansas. C/N 20994.
70-16060 – Museum of the Kansas National Guard, Forbes Field Airport, Topeka, Kansas.

(Eric Friedebach Photo)

70-16061 – Iowa Aviation Museum in Greenfield, Iowa. C/N 21005.
71-21002 – Lansing Airport in Lansing, Illinois. C/N 21073.

(Ruth VanSteenwyk Photo)

71-21041 – Cobb Memorial Park in Ida Grove, Iowa.
72-22754 – USS Lexington Museum on the Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas.
77-22791 – Olympic Flight Museum in Olympia, Washington.

(Hector Vazquez Photo)

Bell AH-1S Cobra (Serial No. 0-23515), Missouri Army National Guard, Whiteman Air Force Base.

(PersonsMD Photo)

Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter (Serial No. 73403), Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.

(Adrian Brooks Photo)

Bell AH-1F Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 00-00609), Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia.

(r/TankPorn Photo)

Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter (Serial No.), mounted on a concrete stand. Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

(Mark Moxley-Knapp Photo)

Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopter (Serial No. ), American Legion Park, Carroltown, Pennsylvania.

(Mark Knoxley-Knapp Photo)

Bell AH-1 Cobra (Serial No.), VFW Post, Midland, Pennsylvania.

(lenron Photo)

Bell AH-1S Cobra helicopter (Serial No.), Minnesota Military Museum, Camp Ripley, Little Falls, Minnesota.

Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters preserved in the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, Fort Novosel, Alabama

Bell AH-1G Cobra prototype Helicopter, Reg. No. N209J.

Bell AH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 66-15246), C/N 20002.

Bell NAH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 66-15248), C/N 20004.

Bell AH-1F Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 67-15524).

Bell AH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 71-15090), C/N 21050.

Bell AH-1S Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 66-15248).

(James Emery Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Bell AH-1S Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 68-17109), C/N 20837.  This helicopter is mounted on the wall at the entrance to the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, Dickinson Hall.

(James Emery Photos)

Bell AH-1S Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 70-16072), C/N 21016.

Bell AH-1J Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 72-2504).

Bell AH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 78-23095).

(RIclimber Photo)

Bell AH-1 Cobra (Serial No. 79-23240), Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #6643, Freetown, Massachusetts.

Bell AH-1J SeaCobra Helicopter (BuNo. 157771), Prairie Aviation Museum, Bloomington, Illinois. USMC, C/N 26015.

(Carmelo Turdo Photo)

Bell AH-1S Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 81-23539), American Legion Leighton Evatt Post #365, Collinsville, Illinois. C/N 22323.

Bell AH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 81-15143),  Baker-Ladd Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1567, c/n 20677. Herrin, Illinois. C/N 20677.

Bell AH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 71-20987), Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5694,Highland, Illinois. C/N 21058.

Bell AH-1F Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 67-15736), Veteran`s Memorial Park, Island Lake, Illinois, C/N 204000.

(gladtobehere Photo)

Bell AH-1S Cobra helicopter (Serial No.), Illinois State Military Museum, Springfield, Illinois.

Bell AH-1F Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 68-17067), Russell Military Museum, Zion, Illinois. C/N 20795.

Bell AH-1F Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 70-15993), Russell Military Museum, Zion, Illinois. C/N 20937.

Bell AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter (Serial No.), Dothan, Alabama. This aircraft is mounted on a pylon in front of a cemetery.

(hummerstation Photo)

Bell AH-1 Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 0-15803), Veterans Memorial Park, Florence, Alabama. Mounted on pylons.

Bell AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter (Serial No.), Alabama Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama.

Bell AH-1F Cobra Helicopter (Serial No.), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

Bell AH-1 Cobra Helicopter (Serial No.), Iowa National Guard, Des Moines, Iowa.

Bell AH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 66-15153), Texas Forces Military Museum, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas.

(Gregory Barilleaux Photo)

Bell AH-1P Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 77-22743), Fort Polk Military Museum, Louisiana.

Bell AH-1 Cobra Helicopter (Serial No.), Belle Chase Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana.

(Author Photo)

Bell AH-1 Cobra (Serial No. 70-16096), Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chapter #554, Worcester, Massachusetts.

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*

Under Restoration
AH-1F
66-15295 - to airworthiness by Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia.
67-15481 - to airworthiness by Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia.
67-15854 - to airworthiness by Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia.
68-17082 - to airworthiness by Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia.
68-17083 - Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis, Washington.
70-15942 - to airworthiness by Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia.
79-23195 - to airworthiness by Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum in Hampton, Georgia.

AH-1S
66-15352 - to airworthiness by Celebrade Freedom Foundation in Columbia, South Carolina.
67-15520 - to airworthiness by Celebrate Freedom Foundation in Columbia, South Carolina.
76-22567 - to airworthiness by Celebrate Freedom Foundation in Columbia, South Carolina.
79-23211 - to airworthiness by Celebrate Freedom Foundation in Columbia, South Carolina.

Australia
AH-1G
69-15092 – National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Phillip Island, Victoria.
AH-1S
71-21018 – Darwin Aviation Museum, Winnellie, Northern Territory.
76-22592 – Historical Aircraft Restoration Society in Albion Park Rail, NewSouth Wales.
76-22598 – Historical Aircraft Restoration Society in Albion Park Rail, NewSouth Wales.

Israel

(Oren Rozen Photo)

Bell AH-1 during live fire demonstration, June 28, 2011, Israeli Air Force Flight Academy ranks ceremony.

‍
AH-1F
69-16411 - Holtz Technical High School, Tel Aviv.

(Itayba Photo)
68-15021 - Israeli Air Force Museum at Hatzerim Airbase in the Negev desert.Construction Number 20555.
AH-1G
68-15176 - Israeli Air Force Museum at Hatzerim Airbase in the Negev desert.Construction Number 20710.

Japan
AH-1S
73401 – Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Public Information Center inCamp Asaka, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

Pakistan
AH-1F
Pakistan Army Museum Lahore in Lahore Cantonment
Unknown - Pakistan Army Aviation Corps Khalid Airbase in Quetta Cantonment‍

Spain
AH-1G
72-21464 – San Carlos base at San Fernando.

United Kingdom
AH-1G
70-15990 – Museum of Army Flying in Middle Wallop, England.

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