Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park – Bell AH-1 Cobra

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After the 4-H Fair we went down to adjoining Veterans Memorial Park, where they have a number of exhibits, memorials, an outdoor gymnasium and a small museum. Above, one of the exhibits: a Bell AH-1 Cobra.

Military-Today.com the has this to say about the Bell AH-1 Cobra.

In 1965 Bell flew the prototype of the world’s first dedicated attack helicopter. This machine was specially designed as an escort for troop carrying helicopters to meet a US Army requirement. The whole development was completed in very short terms. Eventually this machine was a turning point in the development of helicopter technology and its application. This armored gunship was a step forward from the previous transport helicopters, that carried only defensive weapons. It opened a new era in warfare.

Based on the Bell Model 204 (UH-1D) utility helicopter, the Model 209 introduced a new slim fuselage with a fighter-type cockpit. The pilot sits high in the rear with a co-pilot/gunner lower in the front directing the fire of a wide range of weapons mounted on lateral stub wings or under the nose. The US Army liked this machine and the first order was placed in 1966. The new helicopter was designated as the AH-1G. Production commenced during the same year. The Cobra first saw service in 1968. Over 1 000 AH-1Gs were delivered in the first four years. This helicopter is often called the Huey Cobra. It saw extensive service in Vietnam. Furthermore it was one of the most valuable US weapons during that war.

Even though the AH-1 is based on the UH-1 Iroquis, little in the appearance of the Cobra shows off its roots. Engine and transmission were borrowed from UH-1. The original version of the Cobra was powered by a single Lycoming T-53-L-11 turboshaft engine, developing 1 100 shp. This helicopter has a narrow fuselage and was specially designed to be as small target as possible to enemy ground fire. Due to the streamline shape and lighter weight, the original version had a top speed of nearly double that of the transport helicopters that it escorted. Also this gunship was extremely maneuverable. This helicopter had simple but tough landing skids, rather than complex retractable undercarriage.

Under the nose there was a turret, that could mount miniguns, cannons, or grenade launchers. The turret could pivot to both sides of the helicopter, as well as up and down. The turret was controlled by the gunner, seated at the front. Also the pilot in the rear could fire the turret, if it was locked in the forward position. Early Vietnam models were armed with single or twin 40-mm automatic grenade launchers, or twin 7.62-mm miniguns. On second-generation models it was replaced by a harder-hitting 3-barrel rotary cannon.
The Cobra could carry 998 – 1 360 kg of weapons on its stub wings. Early production helicopters were fitted with up to four pods with 70-mm unguided rockets. These were effective against unarmored targets and light vehicles. The helicopter could also carry BGM-71A TOW anti-tank guided missiles, as well as other weapons. During the Vietnam War, the AH-1 took over the role of assault helicopter and tank killer from the UH-1D. It was flying anti-armor mission and was often used to ambush enemy columns.

The pilot sits in the rear seat, which is slightly elevated above the front seat of the co-pilot/gunner. The front seat also has a full set of flight controls. The cockpit is surrounded by a light armor protection.
Soldiers on the ground contact the pilots via radio and coordinate the enemy positions.

Initially in the mid and late 1960s the US Army planned to obtain a proposed Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne attack helicopter. So only a relatively small number of the Huey Cobras was obtained. But when the Cheyenne program was cancelled Bell started work on improved models of the Cobra. Improved models were fitted with two engines. The US Army eventually retired its AH-1 helicopters in favor of the Boeing AH-64 Apache.

Overall Bell produced more than 1 600 first generation, single-engined Cobras, including variants. Later models were progressively improved in the key areas of engine power, performance and armament. In the 1970s twin-engined versions replaced the first generation, single-engined Cobras. Both single- and twin-engined Bell Model 209s have been widely exported. This helicopter was license-produced in Japan by Fuji-Bell.

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Putnam County 46th Annual 4-H Fair – Antique Machinery

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I love antique machinery. If it’s rusty, has all kinds of wheels and bands whirring around, and smoke belching out from time to time – then so much the better. I believe this collection came from the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association in Kent, CT. I have no idea what they all are/what they do so I can’t really say much more. I have, however, put the association on my places to visit list (it’s less then one hour away) and hopefully will be able to get there soon.

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Putnam County 46th Annual 4-H Fair – Sheep

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In my opinion sheep are among the least intelligent animals in the entire universe. We would often see whole flocks of them on the moors near where I lived. They’d sprawl across a busy road, completely blocking it – totally oblivious to all of the chaos they were causing. If there’s one good thing about sheep it’s that they’ve led to the existence of sheepdogs (or border collies if you prefer). Border collies are beautiful dogs, and highly intelligent too as anyone who has seen sheep dog trials can attest. I suppose the other thing I like about sheep is their meat: lamb (meat of a juvenile sheep) and mutton (meat of an adult sheep). I’m particularly fond of the stronger tasting mutton, but find it hard to find in NY, USA where I live.

Whenever, I see a sheep I think of the Monty Python sketch: “Flying Sheep“, which contains the immortal words: “He’s that most dangerous of animals, a clever sheep”.

Putnam County 46th Annual 4-H Fair – Cows

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In the previous post (Putnam County 46th Annual 4-H Fair – Goats) I mentioned that I didn’t know much about goats. However, I do know a bit about cows. Cheshire, the county where I grew up is largely rural. Agriculture is mostly based on the dairy trade, and cattle are the predominant livestock. My grandmother owned a farm and I’ve many times watching her milking (in some cases tying the rear legs of the cow so it wouldn’t kick). I’ve also assisted in birthing.

Cows are generally docile creatures. I once went for a walk outside Bath with my son-in-law. We’d walked for some time and then descended a a long, and steep hill. We didn’t discover until we got to the bottom that the only exit was blocked by about 30-40 cows. It was either go back up the hill and try to find a way around or shoo the cows away. We chose the latter and the cows obligingly moved aside.

Apparently cows are quite curious creatures too. A farmer once told me that if you went into a large field at one end with a group of cows at the other; lay down and fell asleep; when you woke up you’d be surrounded by cows – checking you out. I’ve never tried it out though, because cows are after all large animals and you wouldn’t want one stepping on you, or for that matter sitting on you.

For all their docility cows can be aggressive, particularly if they have calves with them. In fact a November, 2015 article in the Independent newspaper declared: Cows officially the most deadly large animals in Britain.

Although the title of this post refers to “Cows” I’m pretty sure that the animal above is an Ox. When I was young the town used to roast an ox in the town square every year. The roasted meat would then be put on sandwiches and sold to the public, the proceeds going to charity.

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