Bell AH-1 Cobra: boeken - historie, typen en techniek

The Bell AH-1 was the first helicopter designed and built exclusively for combat. First flown in 1965, the AH-1, with its characteristic streamlined silhouette and stub wings, quickly became an indispensable asset and feared opponent.
Development continued over the years and even today much improved and higher performance versions are still in service around the world.

Design, development, and construction are discussed, as well as modifications made during production and the addition of night combat capabilities.
Operational use in Vietnam, Operations Desert Shield/Storm, as well as current day combat are extensively covered. AH-1 use by other armed forces around the world such as Spain, Israel, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey, and others is described as well.

During the Vietnam War fleets of transport helicopters provided U.S. forces with an unprecented level of mobility and proved the concept of "air cavalry". But without adequate support, helicopters such as the Bell UH-1 proved vulnerable to enemy ground fire.
The solution was to develop a helicopter gunship. Bell's first foray into the category was rejected by the Army, but after Lockheed's AH-56 failed to meet critical goals, Bell answered the call with a new design.

Equipped with a tandem cockpit, stub wings for weapons and a chin-mounted gun turret, Bell's Model 209 protoype was smaller and lighter than the AH-56,and used proven components from the UH-1.
Developed in less than nine months, the 209 performed well and easily won the Army competition. In April 1966 the Army placed its first order for 110 aircraft, now designated the AH-1 Cobra or HueyCobra (but also widely known by the nickname "Snake"). Over 1100 would eventually be built, including twin-engine SeaCobra and SuperCobra versions for the Marine Corps.

After entering service in June of 1967, Cobras provided extensive support in Vietnam as fire support platforms, and achieved over a million operational hours. Cobras also flew in Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm and in Somalia before being retired in the late 1990s.
They continue to fly for the Marine Corps, NATO allies and elsewhere. They also serve in a civil role as fire fighting helicopters. Created by Bell and the U.S. Army, this pilot's flight operating manual profiles the AH-1F Cobra.

Over 300 pages long, this unclassified document is reprinted here in its entirety.

The Bell Huey Cobra was the very first purpose-designed helicopter gunship to become operational and to see combat. Designed in the mid-1960s as an interim solution for an armed escort and close-support weapon to support the US Army in the Vietnam War, it is still being manufactured and improved in the 21st century, making it a success far beyond the wildest dreams of its creators.

In this book Chris Bishop discusses the origins of the Huey Cobra, the innovations to its design throughout the years and its major combat uses in numerous theatres, including Vietnam, the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, US Persian Gulf escort operations, Lebanon 1983, Panama 1989, the Gulf War 1991 and in the current conflict in Iraq.

Contents: Introduction - Origins and Development - Variants - Cobra in Action - Foreign Cobra Users - Conclusion - Bibliography - Color Plate Commentary - Index.

Bell's AH-1 Cobra was the first dedicated helicopter gunship to reach frontline service anywhere in the world. Developed as a private venture by the manufacturer, and based on the mechanics of the ubiquitous UH-1 Huey, the Cobra proved a huge success once introduced into combat with the US Army in 1966.
Built as a key weapon in the Advanced Aerial Fire Support System concept of 1965, the AH-1 was one of the few aircraft to reach the combat zone after actual combat experience went into its design. The AH-1 helped reduce the losses being suffered by vulnerable troop transport helicopters by providing effective fire suppression during airmobile operations.

This book explores its history, technology and crew.

Contents: Interim Solutions - 1967 Year of the Snake - Flying Horses - Crescendo - Evaluation: Problems & Progress - Divisional units - Year of Change (1969-70) - Winding Dow - Last Ones Out.