US Army AH-1 Cobra Units in Vietnam

Osprey Combat Aircraft #41

by Jonathan Bernstein, Tony Holmes (Editor), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

Osprey's study of AH-1 helicopters and their participation in the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Bell's AH-1 Cobra was the first dedicated helicopter gunship to reach frontline service anywhere in the world. Developed as a private venture by the manufacturer, and based on the mechanics of the ubiquitous UH-1 Huey, the Cobra proved a huge success once introduced into combat with the US Army in 1966. Built as a key weapon in the Advanced Aerial Fire Support System concept of 1965, the AH-1 was one of the few aircraft to reach the combat zone after actual combat experience went into its design. The AH-1 helped reduce the losses being suffered by vulnerable troop transport helicopters by providing effective fire suppression during airmobile operations. This book explores its history, technology and crew.

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2003

Reviews

[Alex Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories

I enjoyed reading this account of the history of the AH-1G in vietnam. The accounts written about included events I was a part of. However I was surprised the incident in Feb 1971 didn't include a large formation of NVA forces caught in the open by an OH-6 flown by a 1/9 in Cambodia. A 2/20 Cobras responded and would return for fuel and rearm. We were at a fire base on the border in the Parrots Beak and pilots would holler "Nails, nails, nails." So we armed onboard and outboard with flechette rockets.