This listing is for a new Bell AH-1G Cobra Attack Helicopter US Army 1st Cavalry "The Crystal Ship", Vietnam Die-cast Model in 1:48 Scale. This model was released in 2005 with only 1,820 pieces distributed worldwide. A limited edition card included with this series. But no stands.
Outer box has some small dents and ware at the corners, the plastic tray has some small tears.
CW2
Walker Jones was the pilot and SP4 "Mac" McCloy was crew chief of this
Cobra that flew out of Phuoc Vinh in May 1970. Jones flew this AH-1G
until March 1971 when it was shot down by enemy machine gun fire while
he was on R & R. First lieutenant Van Joyce and gunner Captain Joel
Hagerman were killed when it was shot down.
Scale: 1:48 Length: 13.25" Width: 11"
The Cobra was developed by Bell Helicopter beginning in 1965. By 1967 it was flying its first missions in Vietnam and quickly established a reputation as a lethal attack helicopter. Its roles were quickly expanded to include anti armour warfare, and a twin engined version was developed and delivered to the United States Marine Corps in 1969. The Cobra is still in service with the USMC, and the AH-1Z model is expected to continue in operation until 2025.
The AH-1 Cobra (company
designation: Bell 209) is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter
manufactured by Bell. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor
system with the older UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also sometimes
referred to as the Huey Cobra or Snake. The AH-1 was the backbone of the
United States Army's attack helicopter fleet, but has been replaced by
the AH-64 Apache in Army service. Upgraded versions continue to fly with
several other users. The AH-1 twin engine versions remain in service
with United States Marine Corps as the service's primary attack
helicopter.
Bell AH-1G Cobra Designed to meet an
urgent US Army requirement for a helicopter gunship, the Bell AH-1
Cobra-sometimes called The Snake-was first flown on September 7th, 1965.
Troop-carrying Hueys depended on the Cobra for fire support; it was
fast and very maneuverable, and its narrow 38-inch air frame made for a
difficult target. Its main armament was its three-barrel 20mm Gatling
gun mounted in a chin turret, but it was also capable of using a variety
of other weapons including rocket pods, cannon pods, mini gun pods and
missiles. Replaced by Apaches in the 1990s, the Cobra now serves the US
Forest Service as a firefighter.