Bell AH-1J SeaCobra 1965 (1971, SeaCobra)
The Bell AH-1 Cobra (company designation: Model 209) is a two-blade,
single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was
developed using the engine, transmission and rotor system of the Bell's
UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.
The AH-1 was the backbone of the United States Army's attack helicopter
fleet, but has been replaced by the AH-64 Apache in Army service. Upgraded
versions continue to fly with the militaries of several other nations. The
AH-1 twin engine versions remain in service with United States Marine Corps
(USMC) as the service's primary attack helicopter. Surplus AH-1 helicopters
have been converted for fighting forest fires. The United States Forest
Service refers to their program as the Firewatch Cobra. Garlick Helicopters
also converts surplus AH-1s for forest firefighting under the name,
FireSnake.
The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on
the United States Army's AH-1 Cobra. The twin Cobra family includes the
AH-1J SeaCobra, the AH-1T Improved SeaCobra, and the AH-1W SuperCobra. The
AH-1W is the backbone of the United States Marine Corps's attack helicopter
fleet, but it will be replaced in service by the Bell AH-1Z Viper upgrade.
Photo 407, USS Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum NYC, 2010