What is this?

Hellcat man wrote:

Wll does anyone have the rockets that fit inside because the Cobra is going to be at a base

2.75" "Zuni" FFARs (Folding-Fin Aircraft Rocket) are 70mm in diameter and about 55" long, depending on the model.  This site gives all the specs and details of the different types.  They are basically a thin tube with fins that pop out of the tail once they are launched.  If you are looking for an aftermarket set of the rockets outside the tubes, I don't know of any.  They would be pretty easy to scratch-build with some thin rod though.

Of note, if the helo is at a base camp, it is more likely to have the cover on to protect the rockets from the elements.  The cover would then be removed before flight while generating the aircraft for a mission.

I did a little more digging and the faired over pods in the old Revell boxing are supposed to be LAU-3 rocket pods.  these were basically the Air Force version of the later M200 pods used by the Army.  Here is the ORDATA page with pictures of the faired over pod that look just like the kit parts:

http://maic.jmu.edu/ordata/srdetaildesc.asp?ordid=1053

Ray 

Joseph,

  You took the words right out of my mouth.  Here is a picture of a AH-1G with the fairings in place:

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The inner hardpoints have the brackets for mounting rocket pods, but none are installed.

    Ray
 

Not sure what you mean by "bigger pod."  Each M18 gun pod contains both the gun and 1,500 rounds of ammo.  The larger outboard pods on the Cobra pictured above are M159 or M200 19 shot 2.75 inch FFAR rocket pods.

The link I posted takes you to a page where this is displayed at the top:

M18/M18A1 Armament Subsystem (1963-1975). The M18/M18A1 (Air Force SUU-11A/A/SUU-11B/A) was a fixed-mounted gun pod for the M134 7.62mm "minigun". The gun was electrically driven. Ammunition was fed from a 1,500 rounds capacity linkless MAU-57 storage and feeding drum through a single-ended linkless system which was gear driven by the gun motor. Suspension lugs permitted the gun pod to be mounted on the sides of the AH-1G "Huey" Cobra or on fixed-wing aircraft. An M73E1 reflex-type sight was used for sighting the guns. The M18 was type classified Standard B (over 434 units were built); the M18A1 was type classified Standard A (over 411 units were built).
XM18E1 gun pod (SUU-11A/A)
M134 7.62mm "minigun" mounted in XM18 gun pod

The second link is to the photo I posted of teh M134 in the M18 gun pod.  Sorry if the link didn't work like it should.

Ray 

I did look at the tacom site but didn't find that picture. Also the bigger pod has ammo in it

" So your saying a mini is supposed to fit in the pylon"

Yep, If you looked at the TACOM site I gave you the link to you would find this photo:

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As you can see the front part of the pod contains one M134, 6 barreled, electrically fired gatling gun.  the rear of the pod contained 1,500 rounds of 7.62mm  linkless ammo.  Rate of fire for the M134 was variable between 2,000 and 4,000 rounds per minute.  If I recall correctly, the M18 system was fired at the low end to conserve ammo.  The hole on the side of the front part of the pod is for expended brass to be ejected.

       Ray
 

Edit; Here's an even better shot of the gun pods with the guns exposed.  this pic is from the 68th AHC website and shows a Cobra with two M18 systems being serviced.  You can see the front part of the right pod on the ground and the left one standing next to the ship. By the way, this cobra probably belonged to the 334th Playboys.

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It's the M18 minigun pod to be exact.  Go here for more info:

http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/aaarmsys.htm#M18A1

Here's a couple of pics of my dad next to a M18 armed AH-1G of the 334th AHC at Bein Hoa in 68 or 69.

     Ray 

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It looks like  the mini gun pod.

Rich