Scale: 1:32
Rotorspan: 18"
Length: 17"

The AH-1W SuperCobra is the US Marine's attack helicopter. It's primary missions are fire support and security for forward and rear area forces, point target/anti-armor, anti-helicopter, armed escort, supporting arms control and coordination, point and limited area air defense from enemy fixed-wing aircraft, armed and visual reconnaissance. AH-1W is a two-place, tandem-seat, twin-engine helicopter capable of land- or sea-based operations.

In 1966, the DOD contracted with Bell Helicopter, Inc. (BHI) for 1,100 AH-1G aircraft, which logged more than 1 million flight hours in Vietnam. Subsequently, the USMC desired a twin engine AH-1G; thus, the SEA COBRA (AH-1J) was developed. The Marines depend on attack helicopters to provide close-in fire support coordination in serial and ground escort operations. Such support is required during amphibious ship-to-shore movements and subsequent shore operations.

The United States Marine Corps then identified a need for more armament, which was provided in the form of the AH1W. It is supplied by Bell Helicopter Textron and entered service in 1985. The Marine Corps deployed 4 of its i6 active squadrons to Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. These helicopters destroyed 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers and vehicles, 16 bunkers and 2 antiaircraft artillery sites without the loss of any aircraft.