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Scale Model Cars & Helicopters

Cobra History

The Cobra was the world's first helicopter specifically designed for the armed helicopter direct fire support role. Although it's predecessor, the UH-1 (Huey), had been modified to the armed helicopter role, there was a compromise in helicopter performance. The addition of weaponry on the UH-1 created an increase in both weight and drag; therefore, this left the paradox of an escort aircraft which had less speed and maneuverability than the troop and cargo aircraft it was to support.

The quickest improvement was to modify the Huey into an integrated weapons configuration that would maximize utilization of battle proven Huey components and fashioned in a shape that would provide the performance, maneuverability, and mission effectiveness that combat required.

It was under these design parameters that the Cobra took shape. The original Cobra (AH-1G) utilized many of the operational components of the Huey to include the 540 rotor system, T53 series engine, transmission, and tailrotor system. However, a much slimmer fuselage was adapted with a tandem seating arrangement. The slimmer fuselage allowed for a faster and more agile aircraft mainly due to the reduction in aerodynamic drag, while the tandem seating created almost unlimited visibility.

For Sale

I purchased this kit specifically to create a new workbench build log on Scalereplica.com and intend to offer it for sale at the end of the build. At this time my plan is to build it as far as completing the fusalage (including painting) and install a new SWIFT 16 mechanics excluding all electronics. I will also offer a build completion service if anyone would like me to complete the build, setup and test fly.

If you are interested, please contact me for further details and prices.
Approach Engineering - eCobra AH-1F
Tuesday, 05 February 2008 17:36

This AH-1F model fuselage was modeled to fit the Century Swift and Logo 10 electric helicopters

This Cobra fuselage has been expertly engineered to handle the tail belt into the elevated tail section. Plently of scale details are included and I will probably being adding a few extra.

This is a feather-weight fuselage and can accept similarly sized electric or smaller mechanics. The Cobra is just packed full of scale details and functional items that will make building the fuselage a lot of fun.

Kit Feature List:

  • High quality laser cut balsa and plywood interlocking parts.
  • Clear windows included for the windshield and upper cockpit windows.
  • Vacuum formed upper top fairing to save weight and shaping work.
  • Upper transmission bay and cockpit easily detaches to access mechanics.
  • Button magnets secure the bottom plate for quick access to the battery pack.
  • Plenty of space ahead of the main shaft for a fully detailed cockpit.
  • Tow launchers, rocket pods, 20mm Cannon & TSU turret included
  • Scale 20mm three-barrel cannon with provisions for optional control servo.
  • Aluminum scale landing gear included with injection molded skid carriers.
  • Longer tail drive belt, timing pulley and idler pulley for tail included.
  • Step by step instruction manual with construction photographs & full size plan.

Approach Engineering Cobra


The Build Log

Approach Engineering eCobra box

This is the box the the kit comes in,  everything is well packed.

Approach Engineering eCobra box contents

and here is the the contents.  The kit includes a detailed manual as well as a full size drawing and reference pictures on a CD.



Here I have laid out the side parts on the 1:1 plans supplied ready for gluing up.  This will be repeated for both sides.

 



Now I have glued on the fuselage doublers of the Cobra using epoxy as well as the triangle balsa along the Cobra fuselage edges and the tail boom.

Apporach Engineering Cobra bulkheads

The two bulkheads and the mechancs mounts have been fitted prior to gluing in.

eCobra bulkheads

I have now glued the two bulkheads and the mechanics mounts to one side of the eCobra fuselage.

Century Swift 16

For the mechanics I will be using the Century Swift 16 which I have started to build.  The first step is to build the head as shown above.

Approach Engineering eCobra head

and here is the completed head for the Swift 16 mechanics.  The next step will be to add the flybar and control arms along with the washout control arms and swash plate.

Update: As pointed out by one of the Scalereplica viewers and Bob Finless on Helifreak, the button head and linkage ball on the seesaw cage are show reversed in the Swift manual and show in the picture above incorrect.  They should in fact be reversed.

Swift 16 Head

above are the next set of parts to be assembled to the Swift 16 rotor head.

Approach Engineering Cobra

above you can see that I have now completed both sides of the lower fuselage and joined them together.

The next step is to build the basic frame of the Swift 16 mechanics so that I can mark out on the fuselage the mounting point.

Century Swift 16

Here are the cpmponents for the frame, some of which I won't need such as the canopy stand-offs.

Approach Engineering lower fuselage

Here I have placed the basic frame in the fuselage to mark the anchor points.

Approache Engineering Cobra nose

Here I have installed the two nose bulkheads.

eCobra tail assembly

I have now started building the tail assembly.  There are several more components still to be installed here.

Approach Engineering tail installed

Here you can see the tail assembly installed into the fuselage. You can also see one of the tail stabilizers being trial fit after it's initial shaping.

Cobra nose

I have now started to assemble the nose. The first sections have been shapped and in the photo above I have glued the various sections for the upper piece of the nose and glued them in place prior to shapping.  The lowe nose piece is in place for test fit prior to shaping before I glue it to the fuselage.

Approach Engineering Cobra nose

Above you can see the upper nose after it has been shaped.  Next I will shape the lower piece.

Finally the fuselage is starting to resemble a helicopter.

Approach Electric Cobra

Cobra



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Comments (7)

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...
I look forward to following this build - very interesting.
a guest , June 09, 2008
...
Don't forget that those 2 cups are your Exhaust .. Perfect size and fit!! :) Your parts were shipped today as well as a Instrument panel label. Looks real nice! I think I will start to add this to all the kits!

Dr.Tim
a guest , June 14, 2008
...
You'll want to switch the balls on the seesaw/flybar cage. They need to be opposite the arms on the rotor grips. Century's instructions aren't very good. They show to build it that way in the drawings, but in the pics in the back of the manual it shows them different. There are some other problems in the manual too, it's worth checking out Finless' Swift build videos. They saved me a lot of trouble.
a guest , July 08, 2008
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Thanks for the tip!

David
a guest , July 08, 2008
...
will you build me a helicopter ? i am willing to pay big $$$ i want it to inspect my roof.
a guest , July 12, 2008
...
my name is Scott and my company phone number is 352-505-6771 i want to use it to inspect stuff...
a guest , July 12, 2008
...
Scott, can I suggest you send me an email with a more details about what you want to do and your budget.

David
Administrator , July 12, 2008

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