Forgive me for buying a Hobby World 1/48 AH-1G Cobra kit .

Hi John,

I've got one of these kits, but I think mine was an early academy version but they're all the same moulds. It was one of the first kits I built a few years back when I got the hobby bug again. I've since retired to the " to do list" as like you say it requires a lot of work and putty. From my eyes, you'll need new stub wings, have to build up the nose with putty as this one is too pointed, install a new gun turret and the dog house seems like it should be a few mm higher, but maybe that's just me. There's a great build article over on ARC about building an AH-1G from 2 Fujimi kits.You can't post a direct link to it, but if you click on galleries, helicopters, AH-1 cobras then scroll down to the bottom of the page it's under 1/48 Fujimi Cobra. Have some fun with it though and see what you can do. For $10 you can't go wrong.

Rich

Hey guys,

Unfortunately, I've now got two of these little beasts hanging out in my stash and I can't get rid of them.  If you are looking for a fun little kit to build, then by all means go for it and enjoy.
If, on the other hand, you're looking for a historically accurate representation of the real thing, your best bet is to melt it down and re-shape it yourself. 

The kit is ATROCIOUS for an AH-1G.  The forward fuselage contours aren't even close to the real thing.  The canopy is too long on the top and not curved enough on the windscreen. Of course, the Cobra did not fly with M22 missiles at ANY time in Vietnam.  There are tons of other inaccuracies, but those are the biggest issues. 

If you're looking for an AH-1G in 48th scale, you've basically got two options at present.  First option is to see if you can get your hands on the old Aurora AH-1 kit.  While it has some accuracy issues as well, the overall shape of the fuselage is very accurate and matches up nicely with the Monogram AH-1F fuselage. It isn't without issues, but with some TLC, it will come out very nicely.  Option 2 is the Fujimi AH-1J kit with the Cobra Company conversion set.  The Fujimi J kit is light years ahead of the G in terms of accuracy.  Couple that with the outstanding set from CC, and you've got yourself a nice G model. 

Unfortunately, until the powers that be hear our pleas, those are the only two G model options around...

 

Jon

I have this kit under the Lindberg "army cobra' boxing.  The kit is a real stinker, but it is a jewel in disguise:

Throw away everthing except the fueselage and you have the basis to make N209J, the Cobra prototype. Note the naca vents under the canopy. There is a good pic of this machine in the Cobra in action book by Squadron Signal. Either create a new cocpkit from scratch or use a Fujimi cockpit and modify it to fit then use wings, skids, rotors and rockets ( I would not go with the SS-11 missiles) from another G model kit.  The 209J was a bit different since it was the prototype proof of concept machine, but it really would be great to have one in your lineup since all Cobras sprang from it. You will also note the the box art shows a twin .60 mount, found very early on in some turret designs, but the kit gives a single 7.62 minigun *(Ray back me up on this, TAT-101?)

Actually the fues halves are the only things I have left so I can build mine, I ditched the rest of the kit altogether.  Overall the lines aren't perfect, but they arent bad as far as the shape goes. 

HTH

David

Hi Rich , Jon and David ; Last night I spent a couple of hours looking through my reference books and magazines on the Cobra . I also have Squadrons AH-1 in action book . I have to agree with what all you guys have said so far in that I can either build the kit as an original Bell 209 prototype or make a lot of modifications . One thing I thought of , was perhaps buying another Italeri 1/48 AH-1T Sea Cobra [I have one in my stash to build] ; By simply using the nose section from the G kit and fitting it to the T fuselage , could this then represent an AH-1J version ??? . If I Decide to do a prototype I will still have to raise the dog housing , as rich suggested , plus a lot of additional cockpit work . MMMM Not sure what to do . I checked out Cobra Company's web site but their temporarily off line . I'll keep thinking ; Thank's guys .  John

There is an option also, there is a company out there that is copying the Italari AH1T, I will have to drag the box out of the stash, may be Kangnam. It will be an OK build but also would be good to rob parts from for other builds. Looks like the straight up Italari kit reboxed.

 

David  

John,

Unfortunately, no.  The T introduced a beefier tailboom than the J model.  If you put the G nose on it (and that G nose still has the incorrect contours, trust me) it will just be an early production AH-1T without the TOW system.  If you're looking for a J model, go for the Fujimi kit.  

The G kit can be used to make N209J, but the nose contour is much pointier on the kit than what is present on the real thing.  Trust me, I've climbed all over 209J at Ft. Rucker.   The turret on N209J is a lot smaller than the TAT-102 found on early production G model Snakes.  The underside of the nose contours on the model are much more appropriate for this configuration.  If the nose can be beefed up a bit and the pointiness reshaped, you may be able to pull off a nice N209J.  

There's a lot that needs to be done to make it worthwhile, but if you're willing, I say go for it!

 

Jon
 

Thank's for the additional info jon , as you say the kit is a much closer example of the N209J prototype . So I have decided to build it as that . You mentioned that the turret is smaller on the prototype , I'm unsure if the one in the kit is still suitable . Were there landing lights on the nose as on later production G models . Also do I still need to raise the "dog housing " section . I've done a bit of a search around my neck of the woods for another 1/48 cobra kit but haven't had much luck as yet . An aftermarket cockpit tub and seats or ones scrounged from a better quality cobra kit would suit me , rather than trying to build everything from scratch . Sorry for the extra questions , but I am keen to start the project shortly , I also like the pic on page 8 in squadrons book showing the prototype with the camouflage scheme , is it tan over marine green ? and are those weapons pods available in 1/48 scale . Kind regards John

John,

  haven't been around in a while, but I thought I might offer some inspiration for your N209J build.  These are photos of the prototype in storage at Ft. Rucker.

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Here is perhaps my favorite feature of the N209J. As a safety precaution the two stub wings had manually retractable monopods in them that could be deployed if the retractable skids failed. You can see the end of one here once the cover on the end of the stub wing has been removed.

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David,

  Here's your twin 60 turret, but it's on the Sioux Scout:

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Good luck with the build, John, let us know how it goes.

      Ray
 

WOW thank's ray , I copied the pic's into my computer , they will be great for on-going reference. You have already answered one of my questions about the landing lights - obviously there are none .The pic's are terrific , thank's again . kind regards john

I've gotta run to work now, but I will do my best to get the nose and turret shots of N209J up on here today. 

Jon
 

Ray I am seeing some Red X's. .....A/C must be grounded cause they ain't got no cirlcles around them!!!!

Can you check those links. Great pics by the way. Check out those sexy retract skids!  can you elaborate on the emergency monopod? I see a mushroom inside the tip cap (looks like the blow off kind like on the 222 with floats) is that what i was supposed to land on in case the skids failed?

David

David,

  I posted 11 pics.  For some reason some folks see other red x's that don't correlate to a posted pic. if you're seing less than 11 let me know.  As for the emergency landing monopods, as I understand it (Jon can elaborate more I'm sure), The monopods could be extended by hand with the A/C in a hover and it would land tricycle s tyle on the tail skid. To my knowledge it was never used, so i don't know how well it would work. Next time I'm there, I'll try to pull one out and get pics for you.

    Ray 

Ray,

Thank you, thank you.  Too bad FSM won't let you change thread titles midstream.  This thread should be titled "N209J and Suoix Scout Pictures!!!!!!!!!!"  I almost missed them. 

I made a special trip to Rucker years ago to look at these two aircraft and the museum staffed denied having them.  I guess it was too much trouble for them. 

I would love to see more of these two.  You guys should put them up on ARC walkarounds or Prime Portal so they'll stay available.

 

Supercobra,

  You welcome and the staff at the Army Aviation Museum are excellent.  Perhaps this post from Cobrahistorian in an ARC Cobra thread explains why N209J wasn't there when you visited:

"Roger that, thanks sir!

Great shots Jinxx! N209J was still at Knox when I was there for Leaders Training Course in June/July. Some time between July 2004 and November 2005 she was moved to Ft. Rucker, because she was there on display in the museum on 30 Nov when I arrived!

Jon "

Steve Maxham and his staff went above and beyond to allow me to photograph Hueys in storage.  However, I was there for 4 days and I only got out to the buildings on one of those as you must have an escort.  In reality, I was just at the right place at the right time.  Glad you like the pics.

     Ray
 

Ray,

Thanks again.  I didn't mean to come across so spiteful of the staff but I think that it was more than just a timing thing as it was several aircraft.  I would have completely understood if they would of said they were not accessible to the public.  But instead they said they didn't have them.  Maybe just new staff.  Hopefully they will get funding to put everything on display sometime.  Sorry to hijack the thread.