±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: HighestAce
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6648

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 401
Total: 401
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Home
03: Community Forums
04: Community Forums
05: Community Forums
06: Community Forums
07: Community Forums
08: Community Forums
09: Community Forums
10: Community Forums
11: Photo Gallery
12: Community Forums
13: Community Forums
14: Community Forums
15: Community Forums
16: Home
17: Home
18: Supporters
19: Community Forums
20: Member Screenshots
21: Community Forums
22: Photo Gallery
23: Community Forums
24: Community Forums
25: Photo Gallery
26: Community Forums
27: Community Forums
28: Statistics
29: News Archive
30: Community Forums
31: Community Forums
32: Community Forums
33: Community Forums
34: Community Forums
35: Community Forums
36: Community Forums
37: Community Forums
38: Community Forums
39: News Archive
40: Community Forums
41: Community Forums
42: Community Forums
43: Community Forums
44: Home
45: Member Screenshots
46: Member Screenshots
47: Community Forums
48: Community Forums
49: News Archive
50: Community Forums
51: Photo Gallery
52: Home
53: Member Screenshots
54: Community Forums
55: Community Forums
56: Community Forums
57: Community Forums
58: Community Forums
59: Member Screenshots
60: Photo Gallery
61: Community Forums
62: Community Forums
63: Community Forums
64: Photo Gallery
65: Community Forums
66: Photo Gallery
67: Community Forums
68: Community Forums
69: Community Forums
70: Community Forums
71: Home
72: Community Forums
73: Community Forums
74: Home
75: Community Forums
76: Community Forums
77: Community Forums
78: Community Forums
79: Community Forums
80: Community Forums
81: Community Forums
82: Community Forums
83: Community Forums
84: Community Forums
85: Community Forums
86: Community Forums
87: Community Forums
88: Community Forums
89: Community Forums
90: Community Forums
91: Community Forums
92: News Archive
93: Downloads
94: Community Forums
95: Community Forums
96: Home
97: Contact
98: Community Forums
99: Community Forums
100: Community Forums
101: News Archive
102: News
103: Home
104: Home
105: Community Forums
106: Community Forums
107: Community Forums
108: Member Screenshots
109: Photo Gallery
110: Photo Gallery
111: News
112: Community Forums
113: Home
114: Home
115: Community Forums
116: Community Forums
117: Community Forums
118: Member Screenshots
119: Community Forums
120: Community Forums
121: Community Forums
122: Community Forums
123: Member Screenshots
124: Community Forums
125: Community Forums
126: News Archive
127: Community Forums
128: Community Forums
129: Community Forums
130: Home
131: Community Forums
132: Community Forums
133: Community Forums
134: Community Forums
135: Community Forums
136: Community Forums
137: Community Forums
138: Community Forums
139: Member Screenshots
140: Community Forums
141: Community Forums
142: Community Forums
143: Community Forums
144: Home
145: Community Forums
146: Community Forums
147: Community Forums
148: Community Forums
149: Community Forums
150: Community Forums
151: News Archive
152: Home
153: Home
154: Photo Gallery
155: Community Forums
156: Community Forums
157: Community Forums
158: Community Forums
159: Community Forums
160: Community Forums
161: Community Forums
162: Photo Gallery
163: Community Forums
164: Member Screenshots
165: Home
166: Photo Gallery
167: Member Screenshots
168: Community Forums
169: Tell a Friend
170: Community Forums
171: Community Forums
172: Community Forums
173: Community Forums
174: Downloads
175: Home
176: Photo Gallery
177: Member Screenshots
178: Community Forums
179: Community Forums
180: Community Forums
181: Community Forums
182: Community Forums
183: News Archive
184: Home
185: Community Forums
186: Community Forums
187: Member Screenshots
188: Community Forums
189: Photo Gallery
190: Community Forums
191: Community Forums
192: Community Forums
193: Community Forums
194: Member Screenshots
195: Home
196: Community Forums
197: Community Forums
198: Statistics
199: Community Forums
200: Community Forums
201: Photo Gallery
202: News
203: Community Forums
204: Community Forums
205: Community Forums
206: Photo Gallery
207: Home
208: Community Forums
209: Community Forums
210: Community Forums
211: Community Forums
212: Home
213: Home
214: Community Forums
215: Home
216: Community Forums
217: Photo Gallery
218: Home
219: Community Forums
220: Member Screenshots
221: Community Forums
222: Community Forums
223: Community Forums
224: Community Forums
225: Community Forums
226: Home
227: Community Forums
228: Community Forums
229: Community Forums
230: Member Screenshots
231: Photo Gallery
232: Community Forums
233: Community Forums
234: Community Forums
235: Downloads
236: Downloads
237: Home
238: Community Forums
239: Community Forums
240: Downloads
241: Community Forums
242: Community Forums
243: Community Forums
244: Your Account
245: Community Forums
246: Community Forums
247: Community Forums
248: Member Screenshots
249: Community Forums
250: Photo Gallery
251: Home
252: Community Forums
253: Contact
254: Community Forums
255: Community Forums
256: Community Forums
257: Community Forums
258: Community Forums
259: Photo Gallery
260: Member Screenshots
261: Community Forums
262: Photo Gallery
263: Photo Gallery
264: Home
265: Community Forums
266: Community Forums
267: Member Screenshots
268: Community Forums
269: Downloads
270: Community Forums
271: Member Screenshots
272: Member Screenshots
273: Community Forums
274: Downloads
275: Community Forums
276: Community Forums
277: Community Forums
278: Community Forums
279: Home
280: Community Forums
281: Photo Gallery
282: Photo Gallery
283: Member Screenshots
284: Home
285: Community Forums
286: Community Forums
287: Home
288: Photo Gallery
289: Downloads
290: Your Account
291: Home
292: Photo Gallery
293: Community Forums
294: Home
295: Home
296: Community Forums
297: Community Forums
298: Community Forums
299: Home
300: News Archive
301: Home
302: Community Forums
303: Community Forums
304: Home
305: Community Forums
306: Community Forums
307: Home
308: Community Forums
309: Community Forums
310: Community Forums
311: Home
312: Community Forums
313: Community Forums
314: Community Forums
315: Home
316: Community Forums
317: Your Account
318: Community Forums
319: Community Forums
320: Photo Gallery
321: Home
322: Home
323: Home
324: Community Forums
325: Member Screenshots
326: Community Forums
327: Community Forums
328: Your Account
329: Photo Gallery
330: Community Forums
331: Community Forums
332: Photo Gallery
333: Community Forums
334: Community Forums
335: Community Forums
336: Home
337: Community Forums
338: Community Forums
339: Community Forums
340: Photo Gallery
341: Community Forums
342: Community Forums
343: Home
344: Community Forums
345: Community Forums
346: Community Forums
347: Community Forums
348: Community Forums
349: Community Forums
350: Photo Gallery
351: Home
352: Community Forums
353: Community Forums
354: Community Forums
355: Community Forums
356: Community Forums
357: Photo Gallery
358: Community Forums
359: News Archive
360: Community Forums
361: Member Screenshots
362: Community Forums
363: Community Forums
364: News Archive
365: Home
366: Community Forums
367: Supporters
368: Community Forums
369: Community Forums
370: Home
371: Community Forums
372: Photo Gallery
373: News Archive
374: Community Forums
375: Community Forums
376: Community Forums
377: Member Screenshots
378: Photo Gallery
379: Community Forums
380: Member Screenshots
381: Community Forums
382: Community Forums
383: Community Forums
384: News Archive
385: Community Forums
386: Community Forums
387: Community Forums
388: Community Forums
389: Community Forums
390: Community Forums
391: Community Forums
392: Community Forums
393: Community Forums
394: Photo Gallery
395: Home
396: Community Forums
397: Community Forums
398: Community Forums
399: Community Forums
400: Home
401: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:40 am
Post subject: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

[img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img]
This Cobra was found by Doug and I when we visited the Bicycle Lake airfield at Fort Irwin. We were actually there to see the Kiowas that the Observer Controllers (OC) fly, and this was sitting out back. A little history if you didn't see it in a prior post. This Cobra belonged to the Arizona National Guard and was flown here about 5-7 years ago while they were here on a rotation. SFC Shirley, head of maintenence, said the bird broke down and was left when the unit returned to Arizona. Then a package arrived from Arizona that had the birds paper work and "Keys", and it has sat, undisturbed ever since. They actually asked if we had a "low-boy" to take it away. I contacted the post museum and they were surprised and interested.
I contacted the VHPA and they told me none of the Kiowas (10) serial numbers that I sent them had served in Vietnam, but the Cobra was a different story. The records on this bird cover Jan 1968 till Dec 1975. While in Vietnam, this bird was assigned to C Troop, 1/9 Cav, 1st Cav Div. from Feb 1968 till July 1970. Here is the interesting part that many of you armor enthusiasts will love, esspecially Dontos. This aircraft wasn't damaged while flying, or even by the enemy. Instead, the write up states the following; "This major Combat Damage while on the ground was caused by recoiless rifle, with the mission function of being parked in an unprotected location, search and rescue operations were not required, Helicopter was recovered". Shot by what seems to be friendly fire, haha.
After being shipped off for repairs, the bird spent Feb 1972 till April 1975 at Fort Hood, with the 1st Cav, 5th Army. Then from May 75 until that October, it was in maint at Corpus Christy. Then October till December of 1975 it was at Fort Campbell with the 101st Airborne, 1st Army. Thats when the records of the VHPA end. Obviously it made its way to the Arizona ANG.
Not the colorful history of being shot on a straffing run or tank killing but different and almost humerous all the same. Doug, if you have some better pictures, esspecially of the nose, post them. Also, is there a way to post this on "Officers Club" without doing all this typing again?, if so and you can do it easier than I, go ahead. There are some people their that would like the story.

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:54 am
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

Jeff,
Yep, I'll get it into the "Officer's Club"...if not tonight, tomorrow (can use the cut and paste function...or, just link it to here...which I think I will...)

Reading that account, and being familiar with the modus operandi of an air cav sqdn. , I can make a reasonable guess what happened:

1/9 Cav was organized pretty much like 2/17th, which I was in before morphing into a "Blackhorse". As such, they also had a "Delta Troop"...an aerorifle troop with gunjeeps. See:

www.vhpamuseum.org/9th...roop.shtml

Now, the pics there show only M60 MG jeeps, but it's not unlikely they had some 106mm RR's like we did at Delta Troop, 2/17th. Well, you can see where this is going.... something sloppy mighta' happened and nobody wanted much to talk about it, which might be why the reports are kind of scarce on details. Coulda' been one got away from them, or somebody forgot to consider backblast...something like that. It happened with 2.75 FFAR's, why not the RR's?

That's my guess. I'll check my pics of the same bird, but I think I went for the same angles as you did (that happens a lot, I notice).

1/9th is pretty well represented, Alpha-thru-Foxtrot Troops over at:
www.vhpamuseum.org


Last edited by Doug_Kibbey on Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:21 am; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:01 am
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

We shot the same angles because "great minds think alike" haha. Your might take the same angle, but they seem to be of better quality. The one picture you took that I really liked, was of the M26 Pershing in the morning light from a low front angle, awsome! I'm still working the L19 Bird Dog research through some contacts at Kirtland AFB, I'll keep you and everyones else posted.

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:36 am
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

I just recieved an E-mail from John Conway of the VHPA. He says he knows a number of pilots that flew with C Trp. 1/9 Cav, and that he'll attempt to reach them and find out "the rest of the story", if there is one. Could prove to be real interesting! He was surprised to see that all the Kiowas on post were "virgins" as far as being in SEA.

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:42 am
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

"JP" has excellent contacts in that group...he may even be able to locate pics of the same aircraft from that period. The VHPA is pretty much a nexus of interaction among these units, even though many have their own websites (usually with links to/from the VHPA).

I've lost track of the number of contacts I owe to participationg on John's website...
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 7:07 am
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

Hi Folks!

"He was surprised to see that all the Kiowas on post were "virgins" as far as being in SEA."

KIOWAS (as in OH-58) in SEA?

I don't remember ever seeing a KIOWA during my time over there. All the LOHs I remember were the OH-6 Chayus (Sp-?).

Confuzed,
Sgt, Scouts Out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
bsmart
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 2523
Location: Central Maryland
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:23 am
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

I was looking at the 'dataplate' stencil. I find it interesting that the aircraft is not a AH-1G gunship but a TH-1F dual control training bird. That in itself might make it a rare bird. I thought the G model was the first of the Cobras. I wonder if some early production airframes were built as trainers before the weapons systems were ready so they could start conversion training of Huey pilots?

_________________
Bob Smart (bsmart@xecu.net)
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:05 pm
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

- Roy_A_Lingle
Hi Folks!

"He was surprised to see that all the Kiowas on post were "virgins" as far as being in SEA."

KIOWAS (as in OH-58) in SEA?

I don't remember ever seeing a KIOWA during my time over there. All the LOHs I remember were the OH-6 Chayus (Sp-?).

Confuzed,
Sgt, Scouts Out!


Roy,
OH-58A's were just coming into service and finding their way into the units, generally NOT as direct replacements for the OH-6A, which was the preferred scout aircraft right up to '72. Here is one of the first ones to enter service with the 101st:

www.vhpamuseum.org/air...H-58A2.jpg

www.vhpamuseum.org/air...OH-581.jpg

Doug
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:07 pm
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

- bsmart
I was looking at the 'dataplate' stencil. I find it interesting that the aircraft is not a AH-1G gunship but a TH-1F dual control training bird. That in itself might make it a rare bird. I thought the G model was the first of the Cobras. I wonder if some early production airframes were built as trainers before the weapons systems were ready so they could start conversion training of Huey pilots?


Bob,
I believe that will turn to be a post-war modded airframe...that canopy was not seen in Vietnam...nor the gun that was mostly missing from this aircraft.

Doug
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 2:01 pm
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

AHA!!!!! I got it now....mis-labeled. There IS such an animal as a "TAH-1F" Cobra Trainer. Somebody just forgot that lil' ol' "A" in there. This is why I'm skeptical of taking nomenclatures, S/N's, and tail numbers as gospel. Irregularities can, and do, occur.

There's a TAH-1F that makes the airshow circuit, too. Just "Google" for "TAH-1F".

Jeff...check the interior again...TAH-1's usually had dual controls....look in the front (gunner's) seat for these.
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Uhu_Fledermaus
Aircraft Demolition Expert

Offline Offline
Joined: Nov 28, 2004
Posts: 4369
Location: Blaricum, The Netherlands ~GMT+1
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 2:35 pm
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

Shocked I'm just a bit googled Laughing

www.airliners.net/sear...entry=true

some nice pics there

fled
Rolling Eyes
Back to top
View user's profile ICQ Number MSN Messenger Photo Gallery
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:51 pm
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

If I remeber correctly, it did have forward controls, but didn't all Cobra's? If the shot is shot, shouldn't the gunner be able to try and land that thing?
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:02 pm
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

- SFC_Jeff_Button
If I remeber correctly, it did have forward controls, but didn't all Cobra's? If the shot is shot, shouldn't the gunner be able to try and land that thing?


The front-seater in a conventional Cobra has a set of side-mount controls for emergency operation, but nothing like the feel of the center stick of the pilot. The front seat is dominated by the reflex sighting gear that displaces the joystick. Real touchy, is what I heard. See pic of this arrangement:
www.vhpamuseum.org/air...ntseat.jpg
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:02 pm
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

[img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img]
Here are pictures that I took today when I revisited the Cobra, (I was actually there to schedule my Kiowa flight for next week but thats another story). The pictures should be as follows;
1. front left nose shot
2. chain gun mount (no date seen)
3. left wing (if thats what they are called) note birds nest
4. right wing inside data plate, dated May 78, door that opened to wing had 1972 date.
5. eng pic 1 (left side of bird)
6. eng pic 2 (left side of bird)
7. rocket pods
8. rotor blades (one had a date of 1989, and stated it had a 2 year or 200 hour warranty)
9. Sight Unit Stabilized Telescope as seen from right side of bird.
I found this additional info on this Cobra. It was built under contract number 20114/20533, which covered serial numbers 67-15450 through 15869, (about 419 birds). The original designation was AH-1G-BF. This bird was the first of 13 Cobras converted to TAH-1F configuration, but all 13 were later redesignated as AH-1F. I'm trying to get the museum interested in this bird before it becomes a target! As I left the airfield, a Hummer, forklift and two flat beds passed me, I hope they weren't headed for it!

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:27 pm
Post subject: Re: History of Cobra Doug and I found at Ft Irwin...

Jeff:
Two quick details (it's getting confusing with two thread open. perhaps they should be merged...)

" The gunner also had simple flight controls to allow him to fly the machine if push came to shove. "

"378 AH-1Gs were also converted to AH-1F specification from 1979 through 1982, including 41 dual-control TAH-1F trainers"

Souce: www.faqs.org/docs/air/avcobra.html
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum