AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions : 9781935700647 : 04 May 2011 : During the Vietnam War fleets of transport helicopters provided U.S. forces with an unprecented level of mobility and proved the concept of "air cavalry". But without adequate support, helicopters such as the Bell UH-1 proved vulnerable to enemy ground fire. The solution was to develop a helicopter gunship. Bell's first foray into the category was rejected by the Army, but after Lockheed's AH-56 failed to meet critical goals, Bell answered the call with a new design. Equipped with a tandem cockpit, stub wings for weapons and a chin-mounted gun turret, Bell's Model 209 protoype was smaller and lighter than the AH-56,and used proven components from the UH-1. Developed in less than nine months, the 209 performed well and easily won the Army competition. In April 1966 the Army placed its first order for 110 aircraft, now designated the AH-1 Cobra or HueyCobra (but also widely known by