The AH-1W Super Cobra is a two-place, twin-engine, day/night marginal weather Marine Corps attack helicopter that provides en route escort for assault helicopters and their embarked forces. It had been the only western attack helicopter with a proven air-to-air and anti-radar missile capability. The primary mission of the AH-1W aircraft is as an armed tactical helicopter capable of helo close air support, low altitude and high speed flight, target search and acquisition, reconnaissance by fire, multiple weapons fire support, troop helicopter support, and point target attack of threatening armor. The AH-1W provides fire support and fire support coordination to the landing force during amphibious assaults and subsequent operations ashore.
The AH-1W is a two-place, tandem-seat, twin-engine helicopter capable of land- or sea-based operations. The rear seat pilot is primarily responsible for maneuvering the aircraft. The front pilot controls the aircraft's weapons systems, but also has a full set aircraft controls. The AH-1W distinguished itself with its more powerful T700-GE-401 fully marinized engines and advanced electronic weapons capability. The AH-1W has significantly improved power available in high altitude, hot environment, and single engine performance. The Super Cobra is armed with a 20mm turret gun, and is qualified to carry TOW, HELLFIRE, Sidewinder, Sidearm missiles, and 5 inch or 2.75 inch rockets. The HELLFIRE Missile System increased ordnance delivery and firepower capabilities. The AH-1W Super Cobra provides full night-fighting capability with the AN/AWS-1(V)1 Night Targeting System (NTS). The AN/AWS-1(V)1 NTS further enhanced the AH-1W's warfighting capability by adding FLIR sensor, CCD TV sensor, Laser Designator/Rangefinder, Automatic Target Tracking and FLIR, and CCD TV video recording.
AH-1W assets have been comprised of a mixture of new production AH-1Ws and aircraft block upgrade AH-1Ts remanufactured into the AH-1W aircraft. By the early 1980s, USMC aircraft inventory was declining due to attrition. A fully navalized helicopter was sought. In 1983, the USMC contracted with Bell Helicopter International for 44 AH-1Ws. An upgrade to the AH-1T, the AH-1W was received in 1986. The Tactical Navigation System (TNS) was placed in all production and block upgrade AH-1W aircraft delivered since February 1991. Previously delivered AH-1Ws were retrofit with TNS prior to CCM/NTS induction. The NTS/Canopy/Cockpit Modification (CCM) replaces the existing canopy, nose faring, and copilot/gunner instrument panel to make provisions for the AN/AWS-1(V)1 NTS and added the TNS, CDU-800, to the front cockpit. Additionally, a communication/ navigation upgrade, ECP 1686, incorporated an ARC-210(V) Electronic Protection (EP) Radio, an ARN-153(V)4 TACAN, and an AN/ASN-163 Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (EGI) commencing in 1996.
The AN/AWS-1(V)1 NTS TECHEVAL was conducted from May through September 1993 by VX-5 at Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWC-WD), China Lake, Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Bridgeport, California, and on amphibious ships at sea. Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) (OT-IIIA) commenced in February 1994 and concluded in May 1994. AN/AWS-1(V)1 NTS OPEVAL was conducted from May through September 1993 by VX-5 at Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWC-WD), China Lake, Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Cold Lake, Canada, and on amphibious ships at sea. Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) commenced during July 1994 and ended in April 1995.
The AN/AWS-1(V)1 NTS upgrade provided increased mission, safety and performance characteristics and incorporated a Canopy/Cockpit Modification to the front cockpit. The approved OSIPs included the ARC-210(V) EP Radio, the ARN-153(V)4 TACAN and the AN/ASN-163 Global Positioning System/Embedded Inertial Navigation System (EGI). AN/ASN-163(V) was also expected to enhance the AH-1W Weapon Systems upon their incorporation.
ECP 1674 Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite was also introduced to reduce aircraft vulnerability with electronic countermeasures. The suite was designed to alert and protect the aircraft from surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System (MWS) provides a visual and aural warning to flight crews of missile detection, while at the same time the MWS was designed to initiate countermeasures by sending an eject signal to the AN/ALE-39 Countermeasures Dispenser Set (CDS). The AN/AVR-2 Laser Warning Receiver detects pulsed laser light (such as a rangefinder) directed at the helicopter and warns the crew of this activity. It provided an audio alert and identifies the threat by its type and location relative to the helicopter. The AN/APR-39A(V)2 Radar Detection System (RDS) was a passive omni-directional detection system that received and displayed information to the pilot concerning the radar environment surrounding the helicopter.
The AH-1W has been operated in eight composite HMLA squadrons composed of 18 AH-1 and 9 UH-1 aircraft. The NTS/FLIR upgrades were made to the AH-1W aircraft after its introduction into service.
The Marine Corps deployed 4 of 6 active force squadrons (48 AH-1Ws) to Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The deployment required no additional augmentation to squadron support personnel and only one Bell Helicopter technical representative. During Operation Desert Storm, the AH-1W comprised less than 20% of the attack helicopter force deployed, yet flew more than 50% of the total attack force flight-hours. In the entire Desert Shield/Desert Storm campaign, Super Cobras flew more than three times the number of hours per aircraft per month than any other attack helicopter. During the "100 Hour War," its reliability and 92% mission readiness rate were superior to all other attack helicopters by as much as 24% without any factory-supported maintenance augmentation. Perhaps most impressive, was that this record was amassed under some of the most adverse environmental conditions ever endured in modern warfare. Temperatures consistently reached the 57-63°C (135-145°F) range. A mix of fine granite/limestone sand dust the consistency of talcum powder, was a constant threat to man and machine. The air was often filled with a black concoction of burning oil and blowing sand The final result was that Marine Corps crews and their AH-1W destroyed 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers and vehicles, 16 bunkers and two antiaircraft artillery sites.
Future Upgrades included provisions for an Inflatable Body And Head Restraint System (IBAHRS). The IBAHRS itself would be incorporated upon receipt of the system. An operational requirement had been identified for a Wing Tip Armament Station modification and retrofit. Upon approval, this upgrade would be incorporated into the AH-1W airframe and would include as a minimum provisions for integration of up to six (6) universal weapons stations. The Cockpit Integration Requirement identified in the Operational Requirements Document for the AH-1W Mid Life Upgrade would be targeted by the 4 Bladed program which was being studied as another future AH-1W weapon system enhancement. This last improvement was ultimately incorporated into the AH-1Z upgrade.
2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 rockets - Mounted in LAU-68C/A (7 shot) or LAU-61D/A (19 shot) launchers
5 in (127 mm) Zuni rockets - 8 rockets in two 4-round LAU-10D/A launchers
TOW missiles - Up to 8 missiles mounted in two 4-round XM65 missile launchers, one on each outboard hardpoint
AGM-114 Hellfire missiles - Up to 8 missiles mounted in two 4-round M272 missile launchers, one on each outboard hardpoint
AIM-9 Sidewinder anti-aircraft missiles - 1 mounted on each outboard hardpoint (total of 2)
(Facts and specification courtesy of Wikipedia)
The "Ingredient"...
1/35th Academy/MRC AH-1W Super Cobra (Kit no. 12702)
Eduard AH-1W/T armament detail set (32091)
Eduard AH-1W Interior detail set (32090)
Eduard AH-1W exterior detail set (32087)
Eduard photoetched detail sets and Academy/MRC AH-1W (NTS update)
Can't wait any longer...
the pedal... great details but unfortunately hidden once the cockpit installed...
Eduard tub sit nicely...
instrument panel.. unpainted
Aahh... I did MRC AH-1T (Gold Cobra) last time... here it is... no photoetched, only additional wires and some armor kit extras... the kit was redundant and battered up... There was mistake with the paint job so I decided to scrap it down...wait!... i think i'll make diorama from this scrap ;)... only time will tell...
the Gunner station...
The pilot seat...
The kit seat alone is convincing enough but let's get some challenge shall we....
Eduard vs. O.O.B (out of the box)
I added 2 way clear epoxy for the dials to simulate glass.. too much..
Unpainted... Eduard is unquestionable..
some wiring to make it look busy...
i noticed the big box was supposed to be right at the center... Anyway let's move on with it...
yeah!...
the difference is prominent...
the seat... and photoetched seat belt..
added the fabric material after its been sanded off... I use medicated plaster for the material...
look convincing enough...
The exterior
the gap on the grills was too wide...
parts to be removed... add ons..
the sensors... additional sensors on NTS update chopper was installed on additional plate.
with added details... pics below for references...
Wiring and cables ... copper wire and soldering lead ranges from different gauge
not "busy" enough...
Add details from inside
some hydraulic lines etc...
the seat + oxy hose (i believe...) oxy hose made from soldering lead + fine copper wire and wrap around with plumber tape. (white soft tape)
Painted but not finish yet...
gunner station...
pilot office...
"the office"...
wire labels (blue n red) using flatten soldering lead...
the gunner station - I added detail to the Weapon scope with some wiring, bits of sprue.
That's it... enough is enough... Placards and stencils from extra decals (various scales)
Sorry for blurry background.. The scope was sand to shape, i added brass wire and some plastic sheet and the Grip was cut from 1/35th MG-42..
installed and painted...
The real thing..
If you have PSG-1 rifle in 1/35th scale the grip is similar to the real thing.
Painting the Snake skin...
I'm done with the cockpit, and before I break anything more, I decided to sealed the cockpit to its place and proceed with the painting. The instruction manual indicates standard Marines low vis scheme for this flying machine FS36375 and FS35237. I plan to have the snake weathered beaten by the numerous missions somewhere in Iraq.
test fit..
glued to the halves...
i used Mr.Color and Tamiya german grey for pre-shade...
I leave the pre-shading very subtle...
After leaving the paint to dry I took the kit decal sheet and compare the color on the decals and find out that the grey didn't match with the darker shade painted on the body. Arrrgggghhhh! it means another delay! The decal grey seems to be more grayish rather than bluish (refer to actual photo's below). So now i'm thinking whether to match the darker shade to the decals or to get new aftermarket decal sheet...
the lettering share the same grey with the upper darker shades...
even with different camera aperture the bluish grey shades is prominent..
After some thoughts I decided to purchase new decal sheet from Twobobs Aviation Graphics - "Whiskey's In The Mix" (35-001) to supplement the snake's skin. According to review the decals color registered was accurate and massive amount of decals for fifteen a/c (and that include HML/A 167). I normally weathered my models after applying the decals so the weathering effect would be balanced. unlike some modeler, decals was applied after the model weathered which leaves urealistic finished to the model. The decals area would look new as if the markings was newly painted. There's not right or wrong, just matter of personal preference.. So... shipping will takes about 2 weeks so it gives me time to do some work in other section on the snake...
let's go to the weapons department shall we and see what's makes this snake bites made from...
Weapons
Starting of with the wing stubs, I used Eduard weapons detail set to improved the pylons brackets etc. on top the non-skid panel normally used for maintenance crew to step for aircraft maintenance was not on the kit upper wing stub. I simulate the non skid panel using sand paper. I decided to install various type of weapons on my Cobra. After examine and some researched, I found there are restriction on installing the weapons configuration depending of type of mission, weight and balance etc.
So mine would be a mix of major weaponry for Cobras, that consist of Rocket pods, Tow missile and Hellfire missile. Whether or not to include external fuel tank, it would depends on the time that i have to scratch build one!
remove the backing paper... you have to do it carefully to prevent the adhesive paper from breaking
Glued to the wing stub...
Voilla! anti skid panel ready
Pylons bracket next...
The Guns....
This snakes spit 20mm bullets from M-197 3 barrels Gatling cannons which can pierce any thin armor with ease. Unfortunately there's no aftermarket product to feature this amazing guns. Means that we have to scratchbuild if we want to show the whole drive assembly of the turret components... However there's only thing can make this snake fangs come to alive... by adding metal barrel! If you have lathe machine you can SB one... but if you don't, you can use (so far close to M-197 barrels) Master 1/32 M61 A1 Vulcan turned barrels. I've got mine online through ebay. It comes with 6 turned barrels (use for F-14, F-15 and major McD's modern fighters) with etched barrel clamps. A bit of modification needed to fit this barrels to Cobra gun turret.
Decal has arrived...
Got it from HK
the long awaited decals.....
Twobobs above and Academy below...
U can see the color different...
Video courtesy of ajsmoked
Next in line... "TWIN DEVILS" 1/35 UH-1N & AH-1W Supercobra w/ Turned exhaust by Werner Wings. Stay tuned... ;)
continual from previous chapter (Painting the Snake)...
Many modeler nowadays adapt new techniques on weathering and currently most popular is pre-shading technique. I prefer the old method still ;)...After pre-shade the Cobra I decided to heavily weathered my helo's. I need to simulate the grease and grimes as closest to the real thing... Like most armor, Marines helo's in battle field didn't get so much TLC. Many were used and abused and require to complete its mission in no time. Servicing was minimal due to short downtime therefore many helo's were filthy dirty (but fly"able"... just like previous airlines that I worked before ;)). I choose to simulate the dirt, grease etc by adding heavy "wash" using the old technique... by using real oil ;)... Oil paint, turpentine and pastel! The 3 medium that i wouldn't forget when comes to painting!
This technique was long forgotten by many modeler especially those who doesn't want to mess with foul smells of turpentine... Yes, it requires more time and patience to get overwhelming result. But its worth it.
1st step: black wash. I used ivory black as initial wash
2nd step: let it run...
3rd step: let it dry...
4th step: wipe it up with paper towels, brush the access lightly with sable brush...
then i re-apply the wash again... this time i'm using Raw Umber
same process...
more towards the tail section...
wipe again...
then i apply dusting
dusting will eventually blend and tone down the wash... at same time remove the flow mark build up during the wash..
Decals applied
some light wash over the decals and followed by light dusting
take note on the newly painted on the top section...
Shark mouth marking was pain in the ass... I used half bottle of my Gunze decal softener just to tame the wild Shark!
The shark mouth decals finally sets accordingly...
Got it from HK
