The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation’s Cobra AH-1F Bell Helicopter will be at the Palm Springs Air Museum on Saturday, April 22, 2017, selling rides. This is the first US Military Atta ck Helicopter. Rides will take place between 10 am and 4 pm. The fees are $325 for 10 minutes, and $545 for 18 minutes. To schedule a ride, please call the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation at (480) 217-1635.
Cobra AH-1F Bell Helicopter
This Cobra 766 served with the US Army’s 227th Assault Battalion during the Vietnam War, logging 2727 combat flight hours.
The aircraft subsequently served at Hunter Army Air Field in Korea and with the Tennessee Army National Guard before being transferred to the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation in 2001.
The storied Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter rose to prominence during the Vietnam War years and became an entrenched Cold War player. Developed from the Huey transport helicopter, the Cobra was the first purpose built helicopter gunship to enter military service.
It was the mainstay of U.S. Army attack aviation from its combat debut in South Vietnam during 1967 until replaced by the AH-64 Apache in the 1980s and ‘90s. Versions of the Cobra continue to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of many nations.
To ride, passengers must still pay museum admission which ranges from $9.50 – $16.50, with a special family rate of $36 for 1or 2 adults and 3 children age 12 and under, and a special family rate of $46 for 1 or 2 adults and up to 3 children ages 13 – 17. Entrance to the Palm Springs Air Museum is free for children 5 and under and for active military with ID. 760-778-6262, www.PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org.
