Undoubtedly one of the coolest helicopters to be developed was the AH-1 Cobra. Though it uses the basic power unit of the UH-1 slicks, it has an all new fuselage. The AH-1 was developed to give the Army a fast, difficult to hit, gunship to replace the larger and slower UH-1 gunships. Bell developed the idea on their own and sold it to the Army. The early models were used extensively in Vietnam during the later years of the war.

Although the US Army has gone to a larger and more complicated gunship, the AH-64, the AH-1 is still the aircraft of choice for the US Marines and a number of foreign users. The Marine versions have twin engines for additional safety over water. The most current subtype of the AH-1 is the AH-1Z. Wonder if they will start into double letters for the next one?

This particular sheet has seven schemes on it. The first (from the upper left) is for an AH-1G  of D company, 227 Btn, 1st Air Cav at Lai Khe near Saigon. It is called "Corsair" and is in typical army OD overall.

Next are a couple of NASA birds. Actually the same aircraft at different times. Both are overall white with blue stripes. The second one is in the second NASA scheme with the NASA wurm on the tail. It is an AH-1G

Up to the top right is a Marine AH-1J Sea Cobra of HMA-269 it is in overall Marine Green with white lettering.

The Next AH-1J is from HMA-773 in Marine Green (FS 34097) with low viz (ie black) markings.

The AH-1G below it is from Vinh Long, Vietnam. It is in OD with a nice cobra motif on the side.

Finally a Marine AH-1G  of HML-367 at Marble Mountain, Vietnam in 1970. This one is in OD and has a very nice cobra marking that covers the nose.

All in all, seven interesting schemes for early AH-1s. There are kits of these kits easily available at any good hobby shop.