Bell AH-1 Cobra

Bell AH-1 Cobra. . The Bell AH 1 (Model 209) is a two bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission, and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois, known as the Huey. The AH-1 is also referred to the Huey Cobra or Snake. The Cobra was developed specifically as light fast helicopter designed to carry weapons and be able to target them very accurately. The first Cobras were placed in active service in 1967. This aircraft (15771) was initially assigned to the 235th Aerial Weapons Company (235th AWC), known as "The Delta Devils.", The 235th AWC arrived in Vietnam in October of 1967 and operated out of Can Tho field in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. They were assigned to the 307th Combat Aviation Battalion, and the 164th Combat Aviation Group. On March 28th, 1970, this aircraft suffered heavy damage while on a combat mission. In May 1970, it was sent back to Bell Helicopter in Amarillo, Texas for repairs and did not return to Vietnam. It remained in continuous U.S.Army service until February 2001 when it was prepared for display and arrived in Troy on May 31, 2001.