ReForces of Valor FOV820004A1 USMC Bell AH-1W "Whiskey" Super Cobra Attack Helicopter - "Final Flight of the Whiskey AH-1W", Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 "Warriors", Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, December 2012 (1:48 Scale)
"Have Guns-Will Travel"
- Motto of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 "Warriors"
While the ubiquitous UH-1 "Huey" could perform a variety of roles, it was found to be too slow for the gunship or escort role. Bell Helicopter won the competition for an interim fast armed escort helicopter in March 1966, against the Sikorsky S-61 and the Kaman H-2 Tomahawk, while the Army was waiting for the fielding of the AAFSS AH-56A Cheyenne. The AAFSS program was cancelled in 1972.
Some early model AH-1G Cobras mounted either two M134 "Miniguns" or two M129 grenade launchers in a M28A1 chin-turret (TAT-141). Because of problems with the ammunition feed systems, the twin-gun configuration was discontinued. The Cobra was first employed to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in August 1967. The Cobra's primary mission was to give fire support to troop carrying "Hueys". The AH-1G Cobra was powered by a single Lycoming T53-L-13 1400 shp turbine engine, and had a speed of 196 mph (170 knots), almost twice the speed of the UH-1 "Huey". The AH-1G Cobra used the M73 reflex sight. The Cobra performed it's job so well it was possible for the first time for "slicks" and gun ships to operated as true air cavalry.
Later models of the AH-1G Cobra, or "Snake", were armed with 2.75 inch (70mm) Folding Fin Aerial Rockets (FFARS) in M158 seven-tube or M200 19-tube rocket launchers, used so effectively at An Loc in 1972. The Cobra had a chin-turret on the M28/M28A1 armament subsystem. The chin-turret mounted the M134 7.62mm "Minigun" and the M129 40mm grenade launcher. The AH-1G could also be armed with the M134 "Minigun" in fixed side-mounting M18/M18A1 gun pod, and the port (left) side mounting M195 20mm automatic gun on the M35 armament subsystem. The AH-1G could also mount the XM118 smoke grenade dispenser.
The AH-1W Super Cobra is a day/night marginal weather Marine Corps attack helicopter that provides en route escort for our assault helicopters and their embarked forces. The AH-1W is a two-place, tandem-seat, twin-engine helicopter capable of land- or sea-based operations. 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 operated in eight composite HMLA squadrons composed of 18 AH-1 and 9 UH-1 aircraft. The AH-1W is currently being outfitted with a Night Targeting System/Forward Looking Infrared Radar that provides laser rangefinding/designating and camera capabilities.
Pictured here is a 1:48 scale diecast replica of a US Marine Corps AH-1W "Whiskey" Super Cobra attack helicopter that was attached to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 "Warriors", then deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, during December 2012.
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Dimensions:
Length: 11-inches
Rotor Span: 11-inches
Release Date: March 2022
Historical Account: "Warriors" - Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 (HMLA-167) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. Known as the "Warriors", they are based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW).
In March 2011, during the Libya civil war HMLA 167 sent a detachment of UH-1N Hueys and AH-1W Cobras in support of the 22nd MEU, for an 11-month deployment.
On May 3rd, 2013, HMLA 167 returned to middle east in support of Operation Enduring Freedom by being deployed to Camp Bastion Afghanistan, as well as supporting combat operations at COP Camp Dwyer and COP Shukvani in Afghanistan's' Helmand Province. It was also the first time HMLA 167 deployed with the UH-1Y "Yankee". In June 2013, HMLA 167 sent a detachment of four AH-1W cobras to Okinawa to help kick start the UDP deployment cycle again. In November 2013 and December 2013, both the Marines of OEF and UDP returned from their deployments respectively.
In October 2015, a detachment of AH-1W's and UH-1Y's from HMLA-167 joined VMM-162(REIN) of the 26th MEU in a deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. Also in November 2015 HMLA-167 departed MCAS New River and moved to Okinawa, Japan to take part in UDP 16.1 completing training exercises in Thailand for Cobra Gold 2016 and the Philippines for Balaktan 2016. The Marines on the 26th MEU returned home in April 2016, and the Marines in Okinawa returned in May 2016. In July 2016, as well as July 2018, HMLA-167 received the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award.
In May 2019, a detachment of four AH-1Ws and three UH-1Ys from HMLA 167 joined VMM-365 (REIN) and the 26th MEU. The detachment would deploy in December 2019 to the 6th and 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility in response to increased tensions with Iran. This would be the last deployment for the AH-1W, under the callsign BUZZSAW, as the squadron completed their AH-1Z transition in 2020.
Length: 11-inches Rotor Span: 11-inches
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