1/35 AH-1G Cobra (late production), US Attack Helicopter

The AH-1G Cobra was developed by Bell as part of the programme for a dedicated attack helicopter. From the autumn of 1967 it served in Vietnam, where it demonstrated high combat qualities. Against ground targets it used built-in weapons – a six-barrel machine gun or a grenade launcher – as well as external rocket pods, gun pods and later a six-barrel 20 mm cannon. Over time the AH-1G received a number of improvements, including protection against heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles: cooling of the engine exhaust gases and a special exhaust pipe that diverted the hot gases upwards into the main rotor plane. After the war, AH-1G Cobras also served with units stationed in Western Europe.

The ICM kit contains 305 parts and measures 459 × 110 mm (length × width) when built. The decals cover five US Army helicopters: four from Vietnam in 1971–1972 (Quan Loi, Vinh Long, An Son, Chu Lai) and one from Mainz-Finthen in Germany, autumn 1973.

The late exhaust modifications and varied markings make for a model clearly different from the early Cobras. Paints and glues needed for assembly are not included.

Nationality: USA. Period: Cold War.