AH-1W Cockpit help

Igevent,

I don't know what Cobra cockpits looked like in desert storm, but all AH-1W's that I've seen since 2002 have had black cockpits.  The all black cockpit reduces glare for the pilots.  We have a couple cobra experts on this forum who may be able to help you out further.  Flat black is a safe bet.

Semper Fi,

Chris    

For ODS, the cockpit should be all black.  As stated above, it is to reduce glare and washout when under gigles, NVGs. 

Here is some info on ODS paint schemes:

All AH-1Ws were originally painted in the USMC tri-color (black, green, gray) camouflage scheme that first appeared in the mid-1980s. Just prior to deploying to Desert Shield, HMLA-367 “Scarface” painted all of their AH-1Ws and UH-1Ns with light coat of gray based on the results of visibility (or lack thereof) studies conducted by the Navy. The original tri-color camouflage, especially the black, was still visible through the paint; this gave a visual illusion of a two-tone gray scheme. The reserve squadrons painted their AH-1Js and UH-1Ns in a similar scheme. Within a couple of months of arrival in theater, the parent wing directed that the only acceptable colors for helicopters were all sand, sand/brown, or sand/gray.

Prior to Desert Storm all HMLA-367 aircraft were repainted sand/brown. The only visible markings were black Bureau (BuNo) numbers (tail) and MODEX numbers (side). HMLA-367’s assigned side numbers for their ten Cobras were 120s and 130s. Their 18 UH-1Ns were assigned numbers between 100 and 117 (8s and 9s are not used in side numbers). HMLA-369, “Gunfighters”, deployed to Desert Storm with 18 AH-1Ws and 6 UH-1Ns. They chose to use the sand/gray paint scheme. The sand was applied over the black and green of the tri-color paint scheme. The original gray of the tri-color camo was used as the gray of the sand/gray scheme; any markings that appeared on the original scheme were still visible. Therefore it was common to see half a stencil visible on the gray while the other half was covered by sand. The other two active duty squadrons in theater, HMLA-269 and HMLA-169, kept the original tri-color camo. The reserve AH-1Js, belonging to a different air wing, retained the gray paint scheme. These paints were water-soluble but had fairly well baked on in the desert heat. After Desert Storm it was a common sight to see some pretty ugly birds with paint in various stages of flaking off to the original tri-color.

The decals in the MRC kit are for versions of an HMLA-367 Cobra in Desert Storm sand/brown scheme or an HMT-303 (training squadron) Cobra in tri-color camo. HMT-303 always uses 400 series side numbers. The picture on the side of the MRC box is inaccurate in that it shows the tri-color decals on top off the sand/brown paint scheme. To be nit-picky, if you choose to use the tri-color and depict the model with a full load of ordnance, do not use the HMT-303 tail letters (QT). The training squadron does not use TOW or Hellfire.

The two-tone gray low visibility paint scheme came about around 1992. However, it was only applied on aircraft new from the factory or as they were sent back for re-work.  The lighter gray is Light Ghost Gray, FS36375 (testors 1728) and the darker gray is Medium Gray, FS35237 (testors 1721).  By the early 2000s it was very rare to see the tri-color camo scheme.

Good luck.

Wow, thanks guy's. More info than I expected.

One more question for HeavyArty, are the FS numbers listed on the instruction sheet correct for the ODS version. If not can you help with the correct colors.

Thanks again for your help.
Larry