DONE +++ 1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) Cobra, Iraqi Air Force, 2021

[Dizzyfugu]

New year, new projects, and the first one that will cross the finish line in 2024 (already started last year, though) is a relatively simple livery whif, with only minor mods - an Iraqi AH-1. 

This fictional Cobra was inspired by a leftover decal sheet from a KP Aero L-159T Alca kit, which featured optional markings for a modern Iraqi aircraft. I had been thinking for a while about a potential carrier for these markings, as I found the re-built IQAF an interesting topic, and eventually remembered an(other) Hobby Boss AH-1S kit in The Stash™ which had already been the basis for my whiffy AH-1CZ model some years ago. Why not spin that story further?

The Hobby Boss AH-1S is really nice and crisp, even though it has some weak points like the open and empty air intakes (I added ducts from styrene sheet) or the fact that the hull consists completely of just two halves, what makes PSR and hiding the seam esp. around the main rotor (which is also only held by a very short axle and therefore wobbles in three dimensions) difficult. Even the old/simple Matchbox AH-1 kit offers a more elegant solution! Overall fit and detail is fine, though.


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Despite being a what-if model the kit was basically built OOB, just the main rotor was changed from the OOB composite model to an earlier/simpler all-metal rotor, left over from a Fujimi AH-1J – a frequent real-world practice, because the composite blades were prone to deterioration and damage. The seven-round LAU-260/68 unguided missile pods on the inner stations are OOB, I just added a pair of Sidewinder launch rails (as an escort for gunships, Iraq recently procured Mi-28Ns) under the outer hardpoints and the respective missiles, taken from a Hasegawa U.S. air-to-air missile set.


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Dizzyfugu]

An update with more WiP pics, this time from the painting phase.

The IQAF Cobra was to carry desert camouflage, inspired by the recent Mi-28Ns' relatively simple livery consisting of an almost orange sand tone and a reddish brown:



I rather wanted something more interesting, because the Mi-28 "style" would remind a lot of early Iranian AH-1Js. Furthermore, I took inspiration from Philippine Air Force Bell AH-1Fs, which carried a greyish-blue three-color low-viz air superiority wraparound scheme – quite unusual for an attack helicopter, but quite effective when seen from the ground against the sky. I eventually combined both with a third benchmark, the Czech Air Force Mi-24V "0837".



This specific helicopter was used for tests with radar-absorbent paints and also received an experimental disruptive semi-wrap-around camouflage in dark green, dark red brown and dark grey from above, while the undersides became medium grey with a light grey section directly under the fuselage; the medium grey was raised into the upper camouflage, with an even higher and more disrupted waterline on the tail, blending it better with a sky background when seen in profile, a practice that had been tested by the German Luftwaffe in the early Eighties, too, and applied to some Norm '72 splinter scheme F-4Fs and Alpha Jets.


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

While the Czech colors would not be suitable for a desert setting, I adopted and slightly simplified the camouflage concept for the smaller AH-1 airframe. The upper camouflage was changed to Humbrol 62, 63 and 175 (Leather, Sand and USAF Neutral Grey), while the lower forward fuselage, stub wings and stabilizers were painted almost white (RAL 7035 Lichtgrau, Revell 374) and the rest of the undersides and the flanks became Light Compass Grey (Humbrol 128, FS 36320). The cockpit interior was painted, according to AH-1 standards, in a very dark grey, just like the rotor blades.

The national markings (roundels, fin flash, tactical codes) came from the aforementioned KP L-159 Alca kit, the stencils from the Hobby Boss AH-1.


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

After some soot stains around the exhaust and along the tail boom with graphite the model was sealed with matt acrylic varnish (Italeri) and finally assembled.

[chrisonord]

Looking good Thomas, it certainly suits the colour scheme.

[DogfighterZen]

 

[Captain Canada]

Very nice. The colours look great on her so far !

[sandiego89]

Nice! The "toilet bowl" exhaust would look great. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Nice! The "toilet bowl" exhaust would look great. 

It just has the big pipe diffusor OOB and retains it, even though scratching a "sugar scoop" would have been an option.

[Dizzyfugu]

Unfortunately, nothing new here. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Yeah, eventually managed to conduct a photo session of/with the finished Iraqi Cobra! 

[Dizzyfugu]

Another "Yeah" as I was able to get my mojo together and edit the first pics!
In the meantime, another project has been finished, and another one is on the bench... 

[Gondor]

Sounds like you have a que for your "Photo Booth"

Gondor

[Dizzyfugu]

Yes, I am currently again in a mentally unstable condition due to unclear job situation - building/creating things is more "helpful" than sitting in front of a computer and clicking around... However, I was able to finish to edit the Iraqi Cobra's series, will be published here with background on Monday, I think.  Good to have this one finished, mecha model comingh next, since I needed a real distraction.

[Dizzyfugu]

Thankfully, editing the photo series was more quickly done than expected! 


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Some background:
The Iraqi Air Force (IQAF or IrAF; Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Iraqi Armed Forces. It is responsible for the defense of Iraqi airspace as well as the policing of its international borders. The IQAF also acts as a support force for the Iraqi Navy and the Iraqi Army, which allows Iraq to rapidly deploy its military. It is headquartered in Baghdad; the current commander is Gen. Shihab Jahid Ali.

The Iraqi Air Force was founded in 1931, during the period of British control in Iraq after their defeat of the Ottomans in the First World War, with only a few pilots. The Iraqi Air Force operated mostly British aircraft until the 14 July Revolution in 1958, when the new Iraqi government began increased diplomatic relationships with the Soviet Union. The air force used both Soviet and British aircraft throughout the 1950s and 1960s. When Saddam Hussein came to power in 1979, the air force grew quickly when Iraq ordered more Soviet and French aircraft. The air force's peak came after the long Iran–Iraq War, which ended in 1988, when it consisted of 1029 aircraft of all types (of which 550 were combat aircraft), becoming the largest air force in the region. Its downfall came during the Persian Gulf War (1990–91) and continued while coalition forces enforced no-fly zones. The remains of Iraq's air force were destroyed during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


After the invasion, the IQAF was rebuilt, receiving most of its training and aircraft from the United States. In 2007, Iraq asked Iran to return some of the scores of Iraqi fighter planes that flew there to escape destruction during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Over the summer of 2008, the Defense Department announced that the Iraqi government wanted to order more than 400 armored vehicles and other equipment worth up to $3 billion, and six C-130J transport planes, worth up to $1.5 billion. Other orders during the following years included Czech-made L-159 training jets and South Korean supersonic KAI T50 trainers. In October 2012, it was reported that Russia and Iraq would sign a $4.2–$5.0 billion weapons contract, including 30 Mi-28N helicopters, but this deal was reportedly cancelled due to Iraqi concerns of corruption. As an alternative and to bridge the operational gaps, the IQAF leased twelve AH-1CZ Cobra attack helicopters from the Czech Republic.


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

These helicopters were originally built in Japan and technically represented the single-engine AH-1S, which was roughly the equivalent to the United States Army's AH-1Fs and still in use with the JGSDF.
Fuji Heavy Industries built the Bell Cobra under license from 1984 to 2000, and 89 were delivered to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, while 15 more were produced for the Czech Republic in 1999 and 2000. For the Czech Air Force, the helicopters were locally outfitted with different armament and avionics, tailored to the Czech need to minimize maintenance and equipment cost for the force's transitional mixed-type helicopter fleet with many aircraft of Russian origin. This included the Russian 9K121 'Vikhr' (Вихрь, English: Whirlwind) missile complex as main armament and a 23 mm GSh-23 twin-barrel cannon with 300 rounds in the chin turret. The engine was a T53-K-703 turboshaft, produced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries under license. The Czech Air Force (CZAF; Czech: Vzdušné Síly Armády České Republiky) introduced the AH-1CZ in 2002, where they primarily served as escorts and support for the Czech Mi-24/35 attack helicopters.


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


When the Czech Air Force decided to phase the Mi-24/35 out in 2016, the AH-1CZs were also earmarked for sale as both types were to be replaced by AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters by 2018. This time frame was a perfect occasion to hand the AH-1CZs over to the IQAF, which also operated a mix of Western and Russian aircraft types at the time. The machines were refurbished, and the main anti-tank armament was changed from the Russian 'Vikhr' system to the Western TOW equipment, together with some avionics that allowed the deployment of AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs and AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radiation missiles on the same launch rails on the outer stub wing hardpoints, as well as the integration of the helicopters into the Iraqi command and communication structures. The Czech GSh-23L cannon armament was also changed to an American M197 20 mm three-barrel gatling gun in a new stabilized GTK4A chin turret. After their conversion, the helicopters were re-designated AH-1F(I) to reflect their new technical standard closer to the US type, and after two years of lease the Iraqi government decided in 2020 to buy the twelve helicopters, plus the three remaining AH-1CZ airframes for spares.


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


In parallel and despite the early complications, all parts of the $4.2 billion Mi-28N contracts were signed, and were being executed, so that Iraq received a total of 23 Mi-28N and NE helicopters in two batches. These became Iraq's primary ground attack/CAS helicopters and the AH-1F(I)s were used to escort them and suppress short-range radar guided anti-aircraft artillery and shorter range SAMs, as tank hunters, and, armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs, against slow and low-flying aerial targets like other helicopters or transport aircraft.


General characteristics:
    Crew: 2: one pilot, one co-pilot/gunner (CPG)
    Length: 53 ft (16.1 m) (with both rotors turning)
    Fuselage length: 44 ft 7 in (13.6 m)
    Stub wing span: 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m)
    Rotor diameter: 44 ft (13.6 m)
    Height: 13 ft 6 in (4.12 m)
    Empty weight: 6,600 lb (2,993 kg)
    Max. takeoff weight: 10,000 lb (4,500 kg)

Powerplant:
    1× Lycoming T53-L-703 turboshaft, 1,800 shp (1,300 kW)
    Rotor system: 2 blades on main rotor, 2 blades on tail rotor

Performance:
    Never exceed speed: 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h)
    Maximum speed: 149 knots (172 mph, 277 km/h)
    Range: 274 nmi (315 mi, 510 km)
    Service ceiling: 12,200 ft (3,720 m)
    Rate of climb: 1,620 ft/min (8.2 m/s)

Armament:
     Stabilized GTK4A chin turret with a three-barreled 20 mm General Dynamics
     Armament Systems M197 Gatling machine cannon with 700 rounds
     4x underwing hardpoints for up to eight TOW anti-tank missiles and/or
         a mix of unguided missile or gun pods, or a pair of AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs or
         AGM-122 Sideram anti-radar missiles on the outer stations.


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Bell AH-1F(I) 'Cobra'; '(99-)5905' of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF/IrAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiyah al Iraqiyyah) 2nd Squadron; Taji Helicopter AB (near Baghdad), 2021 (What-if/modified Hobby Boss Kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Gondor]

Yet another cracking build Dizzy 

Gondor

[Dizzyfugu]

Yet another cracking build Dizzy 

Thanks a lot, glad you like it - it's still a rather simple project, since not much was modified hardware-wise, it's just a "stock kit travesty".  Does not look unplausible, though.