Warbird Information Exchange

Scott,
You'll wish you never asked about the Cobras in storage. I took a picture of each bird and then one of the SN / Data. Just for you!

You already have the first Cobra (TAH-1P, SN 77-22741) in the registry. I think an N-number change has occurred though. I can try to check soon unless someone else here knows off hand.


Of all the aircraft pictured, only the first one (as far as I know) was ever owned by Brian. ALL of the other aircraft are out of government surplus, for operation by a government organization, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. I never even went over to North West Helicopters that day.

I'll try to post more pictures of the warbird helicopters at Olympia soon.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

No that was not the same one used in the Austin Powers movie. (You owe me 10 bucks ) It was however obtained in the same batch of three as the two owned by the Olympic flight museum.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Will that be Paypal or just cash?

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Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

I like cash.

You want to start a tab?

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Geez, look at Cat House back there! You should see her now Brad...

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~Trevor McIntyre
http://www.TrevorMcIntyre.com

Well, it sounds like these Cobra's got a lot of attention. Here we go:
There are 12 Cobra's in civilian hands. These are not AH-1's. They are TAH-1P's. As you know the T is for trainer. They were surplused accidently as "trainers" and that is how they got out. Several Army careers went down in flames after this program. Other than a boost control servo and lack of operating weapons, they are identical to the AH version.

The DNR government Cobra's are AH versions and are still property of the U.S. government and are only on loan to the DNR for fighting fires. They can never be sold and will probably be scrapped when they are done with them.

I aquired 3 TAH Cobra's in a trade with the Fort Rucker Museum and yes my third Cobra was the one in the Austin Powers movie (send the $ back curt). I traded that one to a guy in California for a Corsair in a compicated deal.

The Cobra is in a class of its own as one of the hottest flying machines around. A real leathal killing machine too.

The Griffon and zero time 4360's have been sold and are gone to collectors.

The tractor is our version of a running allison on a test stand that can move under its own power. Its all for sound.

Was this one?
http://courtesyaircraft.com/N599HF%20Be ... 0Specs.htm

Steve

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"Any excuse is good enough if you're willing to use it!"

I didn't think you owned the Austin Powers Cobra at the time of filming, and I know the one for Reno 911 is not the same bird. Do I get to keep the ten bucks now? If I ever get it.

Thanks for explaining the reason behind the aircraft getting into civilian hands. I knew if I tried to do it, I'd get something wrong.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Outside of the nonsensical feel-good laws put in place by our ever-so-wise Congress critters, is there really any logical reason why the government would elect not to make these available as surplus material to an American citizen willing to pay the price and jump through all the legal hoops? Am I missing something here? I mean, once stripped of its military goodies, the Cobra is basically just a UH-1 drivetrain in a slightly sleeker shell isn't it? Does the Army (or the Navy for that matter) have a truly logical reason for demilitarizing aircraft that are essentially identical to the hundreds of ex-military UH-1's currently in civilian hands?

I just hate the idea of all these beautiful and historically significant AH-1's being destined for the scrapper one day. If "The People" paid for these machines, and the machines don't pose a threat above and beyond that of their domestic counterparts, why the heck couldn't a program be put in place that allowed good law-abiding citizens the right to possess and operate one like any other surplus machine? We can own machineguns, cannons, tanks, and other destructive devices. Other military vehicles that "appear" more mundane show up at government auction all the time. Why not chip away at that national debt and let the good people indulge in a nice stable of Cobras if they wanna!?

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

No, that one was from another group with Al Letcher and Al Hansen.

Rob...I fell your pain brother...I agree with you on all points. I guess the one most promenant reason
for these "illogical" actions, probably resides in the lawsuit happy world we live in.

If someone dies or is injured "they" sue everyone and every entity which was ever connected to
the machines, etc. etc.
Thanks for the great pics guys..

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

Got a few more today.
Here we go.






UH-1H 74-22360, on outdoor storage outside of the Olympic Flight Museum maintenance hangar.






AH-1E 77-22791, outside of the Olympic Flight Museum. This aircraft is still owned by the U.S. Army. Previously on loan to Pearson Air Museum, Vancouver W.A.








UH-1H, N341WN, and AH-1F, N347WN, in the barn for maintenance at DNR.








This one won't make it. It's destined to be squished. I couldn't find the SN but I know it's an F model.

flyingsailor,
Hopefully those will be your doors for the museum Cobra.


Brian,
Would you mind if I stop by the shop and take a few pictures?
I figure, I'm a good portion of the way finished. I might as well try to go all of the way.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

curt;
for security you will need to get a haircut before you get onto the heliport. Sorry,
Brian

I guess things have changed since I worked at the old facility. You have some sort of an image to uphold now? Besides, if I cut my hair, I'd probibly get run off the airport because no one would recognize me.

As for every one else,
I guess I'm not as close to getting all of the helicopters photographed. I just ran across another DNR hangar that I don't have access to. It has 9 more Cobras in it. Unfortunately I left my camera back at the shop.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."