Markings

AH-1G 68-15531, company D, 229th AHB, Quan Loi, 1971

AH-1G 67-15578, 175th AHC, "Bushwhakers" Platoon, Vinh Long, 1971

AH-1G 67-15738, 129th AHC, An Son, Summer 1972

AH-1G 68-15054, Troop F 8th Cav Regiment, Chu Lai, Autumn 1972

AH-1G 70-16000, 3rd Squadron 8th Cavalry Division, Mainz-Finthen, Autumn 1973

The AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter was developed by company Bell as part of the program to create a specialized attack helicopter. In the fall of 1967, it began to be used in Vietnam, where demonstrated its high combat qualities. To defeat ground targets, AH-1G helicopters used both built-in weapons – a six-barreled machine gun or grenade launcher – and suspended: units of unguided missiles, suspended machine guns, and later – a six-barreled 20 mm gun. Its firepower allowed hitting even armored targets. Over time, the AH-1G received a number of improvements, including measures to counter surface-to-air missiles with thermal guidance. For this, cooling of the engine exhaust gases was used, in addition, a special pipe was installed on the helicopters, which diverted the hot gases upwards, into the plane of rotation of the main rotor. After the end of the war, AH-1G Cobra helicopters continued their service in units stationed in Western Europe.