Super Cobra Attack Helicopters

Describes the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter, including its history, equipment, weapons, tactics, and future use. Includes photo diagram.

The United States Marine Corps uses the Super Cobra to support Marines and take out enemy vehicles. Loaded with missiles, guns, and rockets, the Super Cobra is a very efficient force on the battlefield. Readers will explore the history of the Super Cobra and how this attack helicopter helps the Marine Corps complete missions.

The history of the Cobra helicopter is a long and varied one, characterised by extensive deployment in some of the most dynamic theatres of war. Designed in 1965, we are fast approaching the 50th Anniversary of the craft's inception into the world of combat flight, so it seems timely that we should be presented with this, a comprehensive historical account of the various landmarks of the Cobra's service history.This heavily illustrated volume relays the story of the Cobra from the days of early development and concept dissection right through to modern day uses, in both combat and civil contexts. Details of the early trials at Rucker are detailed, as is the birth of air mobile deployment, offering an illuminating insight into a most eventful period of developmental expansion. A full account of the Cobra's service history during the Vietnam campaign is also on display, describing the various tactics and weapons employed. The development of iconic variants such as the King Cobra and Supercobra is outlined, their individual histories set alongside those of lesser known and under-sung types, one off designs and oddities that add yet more colour to this fascinating history.Included alongside the authors text are first hand accounts that supplement the history, enlivening the facts with accounts of authentic pilot experience, the handling and flying characteristics that can perhaps only truly be described by those in command of such machinery. The work is brought thoroughly up to date with details of current deployment and uses in both combat and civil capacities. The employment of the Cobra by NASA and USCS illustrates its usefulness in a variety of fields, proving that the craft is so much more than a mere component part of the machinery of war. This book is sure to appeal to helicopter and aviation enthusiasts keen to enhance their understanding of this iconic type. It has been long defined, and with good reason, as 'the Spitfire of the helicopter world' here it is granted the platform it deserves in order to be appreciated by a wider audience.

Supporting Marines on the ground, the AH-1W Super Cobra performs a critical function for the United States Marine Corps. Loaded with weapons and capable of quick maneuvers, the Super Cobra is unmatched in aerial combat. Struggling readers will be enamored with the information and images in this thrilling title.

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."

Flies the reader into combat with the same elite air cavalry unit portrayed in the film "Apocalypse Now"

Think the Marine Corps is a war-fighting organization? Think again. A Marine Cobra helicopter pilot finds himself off the coast of Korea taking part in a political exercise known as Ssang Young. The goal is to conduct a Marine amphibious landing. However, Captain Groom soon learns amphibious assault in practice is a dog and pony show parade, the likes of which even the Westminster dog show would envy. The following tale covers one Marine pilots journey through the lead-up, execution, and aftermath of this epic tale in the pivot, uh, I mean shift, to the Pacific. Pivot means we turn our backs. It was replaced with shift.