1/72 AH-1S Cobra Chopper J.G.S.D.F. (Hasegawa 1:72 Aircraft Series E04)
The Bell AH-1S Cobra is an attack helicopter for ground force support.
The Cobra series was developed during the Vietnam War as an escort for the transport helicopter CH-47 Chinook, and was improved from the UH-1 Iroquois.
The main improvements from the Iroquois are concentrated in the front of the fuselage.
The frontal area of the Iroquois fuselage has been reduced to about one-third,
the pilot and gunner are arranged in tandem (vertical),
stabilizer wings have been added to both sides of the fuselage to enhance stability during high-speed flight and to use it as a platform for carrying missiles, rockets, etc.
The main rotor is a door-hinged rotor,
improving the aircraft's speed and maneuverability.
The basic armament is the Emerson TAT102 turret mounted on the model,
a 7.62mm machine gun or a 20mm cannon,
and the nose turret linked to the gunner's helmet device allows for highly accurate firing.
In addition, since it flies relatively slow and low at low altitudes, it is vulnerable to enemy attacks, so the cockpit is fully equipped with bulletproof equipment.
The Cobra series is mainly used by the US Army and Marine Corps, and the type and shape differ between the Army and Marine Corps.
The latest type of Army-spec Cobra is the AH-1S Cobra.
This type has a Lycoming T53-L-703 turboshaft engine, and the power transmission has been strengthened to accommodate the increased engine power.
The increased power output also allows for more ammunition to be carried.
The maximum armament load is eight TOW missiles, 38 rockets, a 20mm triple machine gun in the nose, and 760 rounds of ammunition, making it a heavy armament.
The AH-1S is also licensed and manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries and deployed as an anti-tank helicopter by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and anti-tank helicopter squadrons combined with OH-6 helicopters have been formed in Hokkaido and other areas.
Data:
Crew: 2
Total length of fuselage: 13.59m
Total height: 3.68m
Rotor diameter: 13.41m
Weight: 2,940kg
Total weight: 4,536kg
Engine: Lycoming T53-L-703 (output 1,800shp) x 1
Maximum speed: 315km/h
Usable ceiling: 3,720m
Range: 507km
Fixed armament: 20mm cannon
External armament: TOW missile x 8, rocket x 38