Kittyhawk's new Cobra - A dash of "Whiskey"
AH-1W "Whiskey" Cobra
From Kittyhawk Models
1/48th scale
Kit No # KH80164
Don't know your Super Cobra from your Zulu? Here is a little about the AH-1W Cobra before we look at the kit:
MARINE AH-1T Sea Cobra / AH-1W Super Cobra
In the late 1970s, Bell considered the AH-1T design as the basis for a new Cobra variant to be sold to Iran, and developed a prototype of an "AH-1T+". The fall of the Shah eliminated all prospects of a sale, but Bell did not abandon the effort, flying the AH-1T+ demonstrator in April 1980 in the hope that the US Marine Corps, who really wanted to buy the AH-64 Apache would take up the option. However, Bell's gamble paid off, since in 1981 Congress refused to provide funding for the Apaches, and the Marines were forced to settle for "yet another warmed-over Cobra".
Bell was determined to give the Marines their money's worth, and reworked the AH-1T+ with a more powerful dual GE T700-GE-401 turboshaft power pack providing a total of 3,380 horsepower, as well as a wide range of other changes: new "cheek" fairings to accommodate missile guidance electronics; an ALE-144 IRCM unit; AN/ALE-139 chaff-flare dispensers mounted on top of the wingtips; and new engine nacelles and exhausts with infrared suppressors. The resulting "SuperCobra" prototype was first flown on 16 November 1983, and was painted with a gold cobra running down its length.
The production rotorcraft was redesignated "AH-1W". An initial order for 44 and a single TAH-1W trainer was followed by an additional order for 34, and 39 surviving AH-1Ts were upgraded to the AH-1W specification.
Marine "Whiskey" Cobras provided support for the US humanitarian intervention in Somalia, during Operation Restore Hope in 1992–93. They were also employed during the U.S. invasion of Haiti in 1994. USMC Cobras were used in U.S. military interventions in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, and two AH-1Ws assisted in the rescue of USAF Captain Scott O’Grady, after his F-16 was shot down by a SAM in June 1995.
AH-1 Cobras continue to operate with the U.S. Marine Corps. USMC Cobras were also used in operations throughout the 1990s. USMC Cobras have also served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and in Operation Iraqi Freedom in the conflict in Iraq. While new replacement aircraft was considered as an alternative to major upgrades of the AH-1 fleet, Marine Corps studies showed that an upgrade was the most affordable, most supportable and most effective solution for the Marine Corps light attack helicopter mission.
During the March 2003 Iraq campaign, 46 of 58 USMC Cobras took battle damage, mostly from infantry-type weapons showing how close to the action these helicopters got on a regular basis.
In late August 2016, Marine AH-1W Cobras flying from the USS Wasp started flying combat missions over Sirte, Libya against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Libya, providing close air support for friendly militias on the ground.
AH-1W SUPER COBRA SPECIFICATIONS
spec metric Imperial
rotor diameter 14.6 meters 48 feet
fuselage length 13.9 meters 45 feet 6 inches
height 4.44 meters 14 feet 7 inches
empty weight 4,950 kilograms 10,920 pounds
max loaded weight 6,690 kilograms 14,750 pounds
maximum speed 278 KPH 173 MPH / 150 KT
service ceiling 4,270 meters 14,700 feet
range 518 kilometres 322 MI / 280 NMI
The new 48th scale AH-1W from Kittyhawk
This new version of the Cobra from Kittyhawk takes all of the lessons that have been learned in their earlier work on this type and together with Floyd Werner from Werner's Wings, they have come up with this kit in 48th scale.
-We know that this kit comes without crew
-We do think down the track either a crew will be sold separately or bundled in with the kit in a more expensive boxing.
-The kit will come with a full weapons loadout
-Also, two engines to show either opened up or closed.
-Photo-etched parts will also be included in the kit.
-We do think down the track either a crew will be sold separately or bundled in with the kit in a more expensive boxing.
-The kit will come with a full weapons loadout
-Also, two engines to show either opened up or closed.
-Photo-etched parts will also be included in the kit.
That is all we know about this new kit for now - but for more on Kittyhwk's models check out their FB/ Webpage