Introduction

During the early 1980’s, the US Marines aggressively sought after an upgrade to the AH-1T Cobra combat helicopter already in use. The US Congress answered with the funding to supply the Marines with 179 /- AH-1W Cobras which are known as the ‘SuperCobra’.

The SuperCobra is a slightly more powerful helicopter than its predecessor the AH-1T SeaCobra as well as being and up-gunned version with the inclusion of modified fire control systems and the capability to carry and fire AIM-9 Sidewinder and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

The Kit

The USMC AH-1W SuperCobra Attack Helicopter is a 1/350 Scale offering from Bronco Models designed for outfitting any number of modern US Navy ship kits sold today. Sold in the traditionally styled light-weight, side-opening box we have seen from Bronco in the past, this kit contains four clear sprues; one AH-1W SuperCobra for each sprue provided.

Contents

• 4 – Clear styrene sprues (48 parts total)
• 1 – Decal sheet
• 1 – On-page instruction sheet


Within each of the four sprues provided, there contains twelve clear styrene parts used for constructing each of the 1/350 scale SuperCobras included with this set. The parts are molded cleanly, free from flash and no defects were found in the parts.

The construction of these ship accessories is fairly straight forward as outlined by the supplied set of instructions. The two main pieces of each SuperCobra come together, followed the fixed landing skids, the twin engines, main rotor, tail rotor and finally the armament. Bronco has done a fine job in producing the details on this 1/350 scale version of the SuperCobra; this is most evident in the body of the aircraft with regards to panel lines and configuration as well as in the Sidewinder and Hellfire missile pods.

The kit supplies the modeler with a nicely appointed decal sheet for finishing off these little Cobras once the painting is done. Bronco gives the builder 5 choices of markings for the four SuperCobras that are included:

• 165317 HMM-261 “Raging Bulls”, Operation Brightstar, 2000
• 162542 HML/A-167 “Warriors”, MCAS New River, 2001
• 162545 HML/A-167 “Warriors”, 29 Palms California, 2001
• Option 4 – Generic
• Option 5 – Generic

Conclusion

The USMC AH-1W SuperCobra Attack Helicopter Kit from Bronco Models is a fantastic little add-on for anyone needing to build up the surface details on their 1/350 scale modern Naval warships. The parts are molded very well in clear styrene giving these tiny Cobras crisp detailing. The construction is simple and straightforward and the extensive decal sheet enhances these tiny SuperCobras nicely. I have to recommend this kit to anyone needing t outfit there LSC’s or even modern Carriers with a AH-1W SuperCobra…or four!