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Australia ordered 12 G model Cobras, the first Cobra production version. The original G model shares the powerplant and driveshaft dynamics of the UH-1B and C Iroquois, hence the shared H-1 base designation. Pictured is a twin engined AH-IW.
Aircraft of the ADF- A16 Bell AH-1 HueyCobra
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A16 – Bell AH-1G HueyCobra
The operations of No 9 Squadron in Vietnam with UH-1 Iroquois, or “Huey”, helicopters from 1966 to 1971 had principally been as troop transports in support of the Australian Army task force. However, another role successfully carried out was that of a gunship helicopter, and from 1969, No 9 Squadron maintained a “Bushranger” gunship flight.
The US Army had seen that the role for gunships was essential for the close air support of troops in action. This requirement resulted in a major redevelopment of the Bell UH-1B/C Huey utility helicopter design into the AH-IG HueyCobra attack helicopter.
The AH-IG, or Bell Model 209, had a redesigned Iroquois fuselage with gunner and pilot in tandem, and a chin turret with twin 7. 62mm miniguns or 40mm grenade launchers. The HueyCobra’s stub wings had four weapons pylons. The HueyCobra had flown for the first time on September 7 1965, only six months after its development had started. Deliveries began in 1967, with operational deployment later that year to Vietnam. This design also led to the twin-engined AH-LJ SeaCobra for the US Marines, and the updated AH-IP for the US Army. More advanced developments were the Bell Model 309 KingCobra and AH-1W SuperCobra.
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