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Speaking of AH-1 Cobra's...

Posted by Rob Mears on Fri Oct 25, 2002 06:12:45 PM

In reply top Re: Dien Bien Phu.... posted by JimH on Fri Oct 25, 2002 04:23:12 PM

: When I saw
: the AH-1 at Chino in 94 she still had her wartime paint a
: nd was sitting in the back corner of the MARC hangar. One
: of the guys there said there were some in Long Beach as we
: ll.

Chuck Aaron had this to say about the surviving AH-1's:

"There are approximately two AH-1G's, five AH-1P's models and one AH-1F models in civilian hands as of today. My AH-1F is the Trainer model so actually it is a TAH-1F. The US Army (since it found out that several of these Cobras were out there) now destroys ALL excess parts and airframes before it is sold or let out on the DRMO sites. So, NO MORE Cobras will ever be in civilian hands other than these."


I've been digging up fact on survivors. I know there is the "Dark Horse Squadron" (I think that's the name) in Long Beach that has one flyable, and at least two other non-flying AH-1 gunships. They flew for the "Broken Arrow" movie with John Travolta. If Tallichet also has an AH-1, Olympic Aviation Museum has three, the AARF in Atlanta has one, and Garlick Helicopters has two or three more, then that already goes beyond Mr. Aaron's estimate of only eight AH-1's in private hands.

I'm concerned about the AH-1 Cobra gunship population because they seem to be going the same way as the warbirds of old did back in the 1950's/60's, with very little popular fanfare toward their preservation. According to Ron Garlick of Garlick Helicopter Inc, the government is actively scrapping the Army's obsolete AH-1 Cobra helicopters as we speak. Apparently many of these are AH-1T's which are modified AH-1G's with combat history from Vietnam. These ships are reportedly available as demilitarized surplus (two cuts through the fuselage), but are otherwise complete and readily restorable. Garlick has already returned a couple of these demilitarized airframes to the air, marketing them as heavy-lift machines, fire bombers, or 'warbirds' if a buyer so wishes. He can apparently secure more airframes for restoration, but only as long as government surplus stocks hold out.

What the preservation community is looking at is a limited window of opportunity for securing these gunships in any kind of numbers. They might not be on the cutting edge of popularity in today's warbird circles, but you have to remember that the AH-1 Cobra ushered in the age of the dedicated helicopter gunship - one of the major ruling factors of the modern battlefield. IMO the historical significance of the AH-1 coupled with its ground breaking design and attractive lines (especially the early G model) make it a shoe-in fancy for future warbird generations. As in generations past though, I just don't think the strength of intrigue toward the type is strong enough NOW (in the days of available surplus) to see substantial numbers of AH-1's rescued from the smelters. IMO, it's amazing enough that this type of war machine can actually be acquired during this day and age.

I can't count how many times I've gone through the "if I'd known then what I know now" scenario regarding warbird preservation - which make me curious - With all the hindsight stories of regret in regard to lost opportunities during the scrappings of historical combat machines in decades past, how many organizations, investors, and enthusiasts will watch as another available type is whittled down to a dozen or so survivors? Am I the only one who's enthralled by these 200+mph, minigun wielding masters of ground attack? :) Now if I only had an extra $125,000 to get started!

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