The Cobra lives on in the Viper. Unlike its single-engine forebear, the Viper has two engines. But both helicopters have stubby wings, which provide a stable platform for launching weapons. (Us Marine Corps/sgt Jamean Berry)
Read more at http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/13_aug2017-birth-of-the-cobra-180963930/#Y521LEsHMWWuEIfs.99
Silver Threads and Golden Needles
With the Charlie model 340 rotor head, and the t53 L11 Lycoming turbine, it would GIT!
good read thx for posting.
Yes, actually, we can - because the Russians came to an entirely different conclusion that's worked out just about as well in reality:
Bookmark
The bottom line is the attack helicopter was invented for political not military reasons. The A10 is a far better ground attack aircraft, but the Air Force has never cared about that role and hates having designated ground support planes. The Army isn’t allowed to have fixed wing craft, so they did what they could with choppers.
Just outside Tam Ky, RVN, 1/1 CAV, Americal, FEB 69, we were in very close contact with the NVA and had a Cobra strike come down practically right on top of us. Man, that was one bad can of whupass!
Too close. Phew!!!!
Flying CH-46s, we liked having the Cobras as escort, as they would get to the LZ well ahead of us. Standard Hueys could barely keep up with us.
Did not know (why would I?) that helos were so dissimilar in flight characteristics. Very few Cobras during my time. Good thing in a way, we were not trained on the gun system. Any moron could rearm rocket pods.
Ed
I knew a man who was on the design team for the Cobra. Neat old guy.
When I was in the USAF, I was stationed for 3 years at Coleman AAF, just north of Mannheim, Germany, and my detachment provided weather support for the airfield. Cobras, Hueys, Chinooks and U-21 fixed wing aircraft were based out of Coleman at the time.
I was a kid at Fort Rucker in this time frame. Remember seeing the Cheyenne prototype as well as the early Cobras, and it was obvious even to a 3rd grader they were A Big Deal.
Good post, thanks.
Great article, thanks for your ever ongoing efforts.
My father was a civilian helicopter instructor at Ft. Wolters. He was retired Army Air Corps/USAF. Worked for Southern Airways. I grew up in Mineral Wells, TX. My life was saturated with helicopters constantly overhead. Did most of my daily activities on post. Shopping, swimming, seeing doctors at the Beach Army Hospital. On post bowling, movie theater, gyms, library. In a way the VN War dominated my childhood. Had a best friend in Perrin who’s father worked for Bell. He was a factory rep in Saigon during Tet of 68. Told of loading rocket tubes all day. I eventually joined the USAF myself. Now my 15yo son is in HS Navy ROTC...
The tank museum in Danville, VA has a Huey Cobra on display with a metal stair to view the cockpit.
I don’t see how anyone with more than a 30 inch waist could fit in the seats.