The name of the AH-1 Cobra

Evening all, first post on the forum so be gentle…

I seem to remember hearing that at the time the AH-1 was being ‘named’ there was some sort of litigation between the Army and Piper Aircraft Co, who also used tribal names for their aircraft.

Hence the break in tradition.

Richard.

Because the Big Chiefs of the army didn’t want to offend Native Americans by naming a gunship after one of their tribes.

I don’t buy it.

Nor do I, that sounds like very badly researched internet stuff, which unfortunately some will believe – what about Apache, Chinook, and Cheyene?!

Still a very sleek looking helicopter IMO, and as small, straightforward gunship, dosen’t seem to have been truely replaced.

The “Snake” simply refers to the Cobra nickname.
There is no official “Snake” tribe (I know, I live in the area mentioned and work with members of the Bureau of Indian Affairs), therefore it doesn’t fit the Army system.

To suggest that the name Snake led to the “Cobra” nickname seems like a bit of revisionist history.
Besides, I’ve never seen an official document referring to the AH-1 as “Snake”.
The soldiers may have informally called it that, but not the US Army.

snakes in the grass

With their OD camoflage, sleek lines & spitting fire while weaving about above the jungle you were reminded of the saying “snakes in the grass”.
Also the nose profile was perfect for the famous “teeth”.

As is pointed out the AH-1 [first model G] was considered a derivitive of the UH-1. You will note all models of the AH-1 fit in between UH-1 models up to the latest AH-1Z.

I’m constantly amazed by people’s “conspiracy” type theories on things. Have we bred such PC types that don’t want to read what was written as it was written.

The Cobra name was given to the AH-1 to in part reflect its SE Asian ‘breeding’ ie. Vietnam War. Plenty of real Cobras in that part of the world let me assure you and they are deadly and strike fast – exactly what the AH-1 was designed to do.

It grew out of the armed Huey. That is UH-1’s fitted with fixed forward firing weapons to support unarmed [only door guns] Slicks as well as provide close air support to ground forces.

UH-1A’s, B’s and C’s as well as D and H models operated as dedicated gunships. Their main limitation was carrying a large airframe [weight/drag]. Bring on a new forward fuselage and add it to the UH-1 tail boom/engine and rotor system add the weapons package and a turret firing 40mm granade launcher [later a mini gun] and bingo the AH-1 was born.

Bit like the Mossie really with different fittings to suit a wide variety of roles.

Nothing to do with Injuns!

============================
AH-1G HueyCobra
Initial 1966 production model gunship for the US Army, with one 1,400 shp (1,000 kW) Avco Lycoming T53-13 turboshaft.
JAH-1G HueyCobra
One helicopter for armament testing including Hellfire missiles and multi-barrel cannon.[18]
TH-1G HueyCobra
Two-seat dual-control trainer.[18]
Z.14 HueyCobra
Spanish Navy designation of the AH-1G.[18]
YAH-1Q
Eight AH-1Gs with XM26 Telescopic Sight Unit (TSU) and two M56 TOW 4-pack launchers.[8]
AH-1Q HueyCobra
Equipped with the M65 TOW/Cobra missile subsystem, M65 Telescopic Sight Unit (TSU), and M73 Reflex sight. All future versions will be equipped with the TSU and be equipped to fire the TOW missile subsystem.
YAH-1R
AH-1G powered by a T53-L-703 engine without TOW system.[8]
YAH-1S
AH-1Q upgrade and TOW system.[8]
AH-1S
The baseline AH-1S is an AH-1Q upgraded with a 1,800 shp (1,300 kW) T53-L-703 turboshaft engine. The AH-1S is also referred to as the “Improved AH-1S”, “AH-1S Modified”, or “AH-1S(MOD)” prior to 1988. (Prior to 1988, all upgraded aircraft were referred to as variants of the AH-1S.)[8]
AH-1P
100 production aircraft with composite rotors, flat plate glass cockpit, and improved cockpit layout for nap-of-earth (NOE) flight. The AH-1P is also referred to as the “Production AH-1S”, or “AH-1S(PROD)” prior to 1988. These improvements are considered Step 1 of the AH-1S upgrade program.[8]
AH-1E
98 production aircraft with the Enhanced Cobra Armament System (ECAS) featuring the M97A1 armament subsystem with a three-barreled M197 20 mm cannon. The AH-1E is also referred to as the “Upgunned AH-1S”, or “AH-1S(ECAS)” prior to 1988. These improvements are considered Step 2 of the AH-1S upgrade program.[8] AH-1E aircraft included the M147 Rocket Management Subsystem (RMS) to fire 2.75-inch (70 mm) rockets.[19]
AH-1F
143 production aircraft and 387 converted AH-1G Cobras. The AH-1F incorporates all Step 1 and 2 upgrades to the AH-1S as well an M143 Air Data Subsystem (ADS), a laser rangefinder and tracker, an infrared jammer mounted above the engine exhaust, and an infrared suppressing engine exhaust system. The AH-1F is also referred to as the “Modernized AH-1S”, “AH-1S Modernized Cobra”, or “AH-1S(MC)” prior to 1988.
Model 249
Experimental demonstrator version fitted with a four-bladed rotor system, an uprated engine and experimental equipment, including Hellfire missiles.[20]
Bell 309 KingCobra
Experimental version. One of two 309s produced was powered by a Lycoming T-55-L-7C engine.[21]
[edit] Twin-engine
For all twin-engine variants, such as AH-1J, AH-1T, AH-1W, and AH-1Z, see AH-1 SuperCobra.

Full details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-1_Cobra

Isn’t it true tho, that some variants of the AH-64 like those flown by the British Army, are known as ‘Longbows’?

I think that has something to do with the radar pod on top which is called a longbow radar.

Isn’t it true tho, that some variants of the AH-64 like those flown by the British Army, are known as ‘Longbows’?

Evening all, first post on the forum so be gentle…

I seem to remember hearing that at the time the AH-1 was being ‘named’ there was some sort of litigation between the Army and Piper Aircraft Co, who also used tribal names for their aircraft.

Hence the break in tradition.

Richard.

That’s a possibility, but only if the Army wanted to name an aircraft with a name Piper already used…Cherokee, Navajo, Pawnee, Seneca, Comanche (by the time the Comanche helicopter came along, the Piper Comanche was long out of production…and that incarnation of the Piper Company was no more. Likerwise, by the time Piper produced the Cheyenne turboprop, the AH-56 was a museum piece).

As I understand US law, it has to be for a specific name, a firm can’t simply say “We have first choice on all Indian tribe names”.
Unlike Peugeot which famously forced Porsche to change the name of their new car to 911 from 901 when they said they “owned” all 3-digit car designations with a 0 in the middle.

Besides, there are plenty of Indian names to go around.

I still think the Iroquois name already being adopted for the H-1 series is the most plausable. The “Cobra” name gained currency with the troops and it went from there.

Flying Cobra to come to UK

Hello All, Firstly, Happy New Year.

On the subject of Cobras, did you know that there will be a flying Cobra on the UK Airshow scene later this year! You will be able to get up close and take a look!

The only other flying Cobra this side of the US in the Red Bull one in Austria/Switzerland.

www.huey.co.uk has restored one but it is still in Olympia, Seattle awaiting export/import and then UK CAA permit to fly processing. I know this because im the Chief Pilot and i will be one of the lucky chaps who will be flying /displaying it!

The owner and pilot, Phil Connolly will have a 3 ship Vietnam Classic Flight here in the UK to fly at Airshows! Take a look on our website. On the homepage, left side, look at our aircraft! The UH-1H, OH-6 and Cobra are there.

Its quite a serious process export/importing these flying rare beasts so full credit has to go to Phil here…its his vision and long term dream!

Fly Safe, as always……’You call, We haul’ …..

The owner and pilot, Phil Connolly will have a 3 ship Vietnam Classic Flight here in the UK to fly at Airshows! .

Please,please, let that consist of an F-105, Skyraider, and Huey Cobra!!
Joking aside, can’t wait to see the Cobra.

Isn’t it true tho, that some variants of the AH-64 like those flown by the British Army, are known as ‘Longbows’?

the “longbow” is referring to the radar on top of the propellor of the AH-64D.

The 64 A version did not have such radar. It seems to have become common to call the AH64D the “longbow”

rotors on helicopters

The AH-64D Apache has the Mast Mounted Sight (Fire Control Radar FCR).
This enables the Apache to stay hidden behind trees, etc and sight the target (enemy) by itself.
Because of this and other important improvements this version of the helicopter was nicknames Longbow after the medieval weapon (bow & arrow) which changed the battlefield after its introduction.

Sorry, but a minor correction…helicopters have rotors and not propellers.
I don’t speak French and seeing that you live in Belgium may I say that your English is excellent

Going back to my answer , for what it’s worth here’s a link to the Helicopter History website which is not dead, 8th question down; http://www.helis.com/faq/

Make of it as you will.