Warbird Information Exchange

The wire strike or otherwise known as WSPS (wire strike protection system) has been used with great success. first in Europe and then here. I sold a Cobra to a guy in Arizona who was "flat hatting" and hit a wire at 120kts. he said it slowed him down to about 60kts and then cut the wire. It tore the cowlings up on both sides but he flew it home!

mustangpilot,

What can you tell me about Garlick Helicopters, and Air Capitol Warbirds? I know that both of these outfits were offering AH-1 Cobras for sale in the last few years. Knowing that there aren't that many Cobras on the private register (maybe 12 total?), I've often wondered if these were some of the airframes you ended up with, or if in fact they were only offering government aircraft for government sanctioned use (i.e. these weren't privately owned airframes).

http://www.garlickhelicopters.com/

http://www.airwarbirds.com/

I also came across this interesting 'market survey' from the US Army at Redstone Arsenal advertising their interest in the "sale & exchenge of AH-1 aircraft" back in 2001. Any idea if this was a source for some of the AH-1's now on the civil register?

http://www.fbodaily.com/cbd/archive/2001/06(June)/22-Jun-2001/15sol001.htm

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

I dont know anything about Capitol warbirds. They are not players in Cobra's. I know that Garlick had one but it does not have a data plate or legal transfer and its not complete and in parts. The Government is very touchy on these AH-1's still. There are only 13 in civil hands and that's because they were released as trainers and there will never be anymore. They are TAH-1's. The FBI does not allow you to build one out of parts and fly it. The ones that have tried have been raided and the ship confiscated. The government still considers the AH-1 a modern day threat and they really are'nt. They just look the part still. I have 4 of these birds in the hangar. The largest privately owned fleet of gunships in the world I suppose.

I've never had much interest in helo warbirds, but those are some really gorgeous rotorcraft. Very nice work.