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

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 ([email protected])
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