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Bell AH-1F 'Cobra'

Description
Notes: AH-1S with modernized software and hardware.
  Manufacturer:Bell
  Base model:H-1
  Designation:AH-1
  Version:F
  Nickname:Cobra
  Designation System:U.S. Tri-Service
  Designation Period:1962-Present
  Basic role:Helicopter
  Modified Mission:Attack

Specifications
Not Yet Available

Known serial numbers
80-23522 / 80-23525

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
United States Army Aviation MuseumOzarkAlabama


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Doug Wyborney
 Johnston, IA
Bob Greene, I picked up 508 from FT Drum (LSI contractor repairs) in 1995 for the Iowa ARNG. The answer to your question is OD CARC which looks alike like flat black.
08/10/2015 @ 07:56 [ref: 69202]
 Bob Greene
 Potomac Falls, VA, VA
I'm a volunteer with the National Air and Space Museum. I am attempting to determine the color of AH-1F 67-15508 when it was deployed from D Co. 2-25 Avn. Rgt to Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993. If someone has a color photo of this a/c at that time I would appreciate a copy.
01/23/2014 @ 05:19 [ref: 68313]
 G
 w-s, NC
I was a 68J/15J 10/20/30 also worked the 15N Avionics also on active duty and the NCNG. I didn't fly them just fix them a snake doctor. The cobra was the first true attack helo beating out the Lockheed Martin AH-56 Cheyenne which was a better high tech aircraft for it time but cost killed the programme and the Cobra was sent to Vietnam begainig with the G model. When the letters change it mean that a modification has taken place or upgrade in systems. The Active Army still has afew units but most of the Cobras where built for the Marine Corp who have upgraded them year after year or gone to the Cobra 2000 model. The Army moved over to the AH-64 in the late 80s. Which is a lot faster aircraft and with the Hellfire and night fighting sighting system make it a more deadly weapons system. I was always having to repair wires in the aircraft and the helmets when pilots would forget to disconnect the equipment. After 9/11/2001 I return as a contractor to work on the OH58D which I was there the night we got the first 2 at Ft.Lewis, WA. 1985 on the rail head and move them to Ft. Bliss, TX. Also have worked the CH47D, AH-64, UH60s, AH6 with Heavy Commerical transport Boeing and Airbus products to include the 787. Those Cobras gave me my start and I still love them AIR CAV and A Quick Saber to my CAV brothers.
12/03/2009 @ 17:35 [ref: 25380]
 Major Henry (Retired)
 Oconee, GA
I flew one of the first AH-1F (FMC) in the inventory. I was assigned to D-Company, 82nd Aviation Bn, Ft Bragg NC. I was also one of the last classes to be trained on the G-model. Class of 81. All Cobra had their distinct characteristics that made it special, but the FMC was the cadillac at the time. We had all of the gee Whiz black boxes and doppler nav that enhance our potential to Kill Tanks. However, at a hover the Cobra was too heavy and you had to always sacrafice fuel for bullets in order to succeed on your objectives. It was truly a fun aircraft to fly. The Apache is Awesome today, no doubt. I am also qualified in Oh-58s, Uh60A, and of course all of the cobras. I am one of the old generation gun drivers. Master aviator since 1996.

Hooah!!
04/30/2008 @ 10:27 [ref: 20758]
 Judd Lewis
 Enterprise, AL
There are AH-1Fs flying, and not dusty. I flew Gs in Vietnam, Qs in Germany, and still fly Fs now. See the website for the U.S. Army Skysoldiers Demonstration Team. www.ArmyAv.org

We have two of those in Ozark, Alabama along with vintage
H-23, TO-1D, UH-1, T-42, etc., ALL FLYING.

See Wiregrass Chapter at www.wiregrassskysoldiers.org
JL
12/11/2007 @ 14:19 [ref: 18886]
 Don
 San Diego, CA
I have been to the March Museum and I was very impressed with what I saw out there, especially the AH-1F Cobra Helicopter, alot of the aircraft are covered with dust, but that's what comes with keeping aircraft outdoors, I know sometimes there's always two sides to every story, I really don't know what's going with-in the March Museum and other parties outside the march museum, I have read the nasty comment's written about the museum staff, of course it's not my buisness, what ever it is, but the Museums throughtout Southern California all have one great thing in common, they are all doing there best to preserve aviation, military and civilian, each and every aviation museum is responsible for there own, but the each aviation museum always does something great in there own right and always has something different at each museum and yes each museum has it's own set of problems, but they share one common goal, to teach the younger generation what was used in a time of war and piece, and it does not matter what type of aircraft saw action and what didn't, each and every aircraft is great in it's own right, no matter if it's a trainer, an observation, a cargo, a fighter, a bomber, a troop carrier etc, etc.
An aircraft is but a tool, the aircraft is useless just sitting on the ground without the crew manning it, it helps teach the younger generations what was used, because just imagine what the next generation will get to use to help defend this great Country of ours.
11/24/2007 @ 15:02 [ref: 18658]
 Gary
 Oakwood, GA
The AH-64 Apachie is much better than the AH-1F, the truth hurts.
11/24/2007 @ 14:40 [ref: 18657]
 Mike
 Tucson, AZ
We have Cobras at the Museum next to my house, once in a while we'll have one fly over the house on training flights but I don't know if's army or marines, but they are cool to watch.
11/24/2007 @ 14:30 [ref: 18656]
 Bob Billings
 , GA
These types of cobras were just awesome to watch, it's a shame we don't have them in our inventory any more.
11/24/2007 @ 14:26 [ref: 18655]
 Mike
 , GA
I flew the AH-1F and the AH-1G in Germany and I have seen the "F" at the March Field Museum, and looks great, they really know how to take care of an aircraft out there at that Museum despite the dust on everything, well done.
11/22/2007 @ 10:10 [ref: 18633]

 

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