This Day in Aviation History
September 7th, 1965
First flight of the Bell AH-1 Cobra.

The Bell AH-1 Cobra (company designation: Model 209) is a two-blade, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was developed using the engine, transmission and rotor system of the Bell’s UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.

The AH-1 was the backbone of the United States Army’s attack helicopter fleet, but has been replaced by the AH-64 Apache in Army service. Upgraded versions continue to fly with the militaries of several other nations. The AH-1 twin engine versions remain in service with United States Marine Corps (USMC) as the service’s primary attack helicopter. Surplus AH-1 helicopters have been converted for fighting forest fires. The United States Forest Service refers to their program as the Firewatch Cobra. Garlick Helicopters also converts surplus AH-1s for forest firefighting under the name FireSnake.

Source:
Wikipedia, Bell AH-1 Cobra: http://gstv.us/1O6M3Kd

YouTube, Bell Huey Helicopter Family – Bell AH-1 Cobra: http://gstv.us/1O6MUKU

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Photo from: http://gstv.us/1O6MaWc

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