BASIC BUILD
Garry Tobiss discovers much to savour with Special Hobby's superb 1/48 new-tool AH-1G Cobra.
The Bell AH-1 Cobra had its origins in the Vietnam War when it became clear to the US Army that a specialised ground-attack helicopter was required. The Cobra was the first of this type and entered service in 1967. It became a very effective weapons platform providing escort duties, ground attack and close air support with heavy armament and, for a helicopter, a long loiter time.
Cobras continued to be used after Vietnam, serving in 1991's First Gulf War, plus other conflicts. They were finally phased out of US Army service in 1999, being replaced by the Hughes/Boeing AH-64 Apache. Other military and civilian operators continue to use Cobras. The schemes in Special Hobby’s new 1/48 tooling covered Israeli and Spanish options, with the latter being selected for this build. Spain acquired eight new Cobras for coastal patrol duties, designating them Z-14. All survivors – bar one – were returned to the US in 1985.
Above: All the parts for the Cobra’s tandem cockpit; note the fine detail on the instrument panels and the quilting effect on the rear bulkhead.
Above: Once painted and weathered, the cockpit appeared quite busy wit…
