Bell AH-1 Cobra
Bell Helicopter · United States · first flew 1965 · helicopter
The world's first purpose-built attack helicopter, a slim single-engine gunship with stub weapon wings derived from the UH-1 Huey's drivetrain.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Very narrow tandem cockpit with gunner seated in front
- Short shoulder-mounted stub wings carrying rocket pods
- Chin-mounted articulating gun turret
Unmistakable as an attack helicopter from the pencil-thin fuselage and stepped tandem canopy. Stub wings and a chin turret confirm it, while the two-bladed teetering main rotor marks the early single-engine models.
Specifications
- The Bell AH-1 Cobra has a length of 13.4 m (44 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.4 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 277 km/h (172 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (pilot, gunner).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Bell flew the Model 209 prototype in September 1965 as a private venture, using the proven Huey engine and dynamic components in a slender new airframe. Rushed into service for Vietnam, the AH-1G HueyCobra reached the field in 1967 and validated the dedicated gunship concept that all later attack helicopters would follow.
Variants
The single-engine line ran from the AH-1G through TOW-capable AH-1S/P/E/F models. The US Marine Corps developed twin-engine derivatives: the AH-1J SeaCobra, AH-1W SuperCobra and the modern four-bladed AH-1Z Viper, which remains in service.
Where you'll see it
Core of the US Army attack fleet from Vietnam through the Gulf War before the AH-64 Apache replaced it, with Marine twin variants serving on. It was never a British type; the Army Air Corps adopted the Apache instead.
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