Hey all[:D]
In continue to my last questione here (Italeri 1:35 MRC repackage), I’d like to know what are the recommended colors for Desert storm. In the Italeri instructions it is said to paint the intyre cobra with sand. However I have pollyscale’s Desert storm sand, and I think it’s the correct one to use. is that correct?
In a single photo I’ve seen a two color scheme with what seem to be a dark tan or military brown in addition to the sand. I cant find any good links on the net to support this. Can you tell me about this scheme, or any correct scheme.
Was there a difference in camuflage between Army and Marines helicopters? I’m really in the dark here…[xx(]
So any help will be helpfull.[8D] thanks guys.
First off, AH-1W “Super Cobra” was never used by US Army, and most Cobras were no longer used by US Army by the time of Desert Storm. Last Army Cobras were phased out by early 90’s. AH-64 Apache took over the attack helo role for the Army. For color schemes of USMC Cobras in Desert Storm, from what I have seen, three color Med scheme (gray, green, and black) was overpainted, hastily. The only two colors left were sand and gray. The markings were also painted over, therefore only color with markings showing was on the gray. I did mine in this color scheme. Process is pretty easy. Paint entire aircraft gray first, add decals, then paint areas where thre would be black and green in a sand color. Comes out looking pretty good.
Here is a photo of mine, snuggled between an OH-58C and an Israeli AH-1W “Super Cobra” 
Gino,
What scale are your 2 SuperCobras and the OH-58. If they are 1/35, where did you get the 58C and what kit is it?
The Super Cobras are the MRC kits. The Israeli is actually a combination of the Revell 1/32 AH-1G and the MRC AH-1W. I combined the other parts from both to make a AH-1S US Army model. The OH-58C is the Revell 1/32 scale kit. I don’t think it is available any more. Builds up pretty nice though. You may be able to find it on E-Bay.
Shmodeler,
Proper colors for current AH-1Ws are Light Ghost Grey with Dark Ghost Grey camouflage overspray. I’ve seen one Super Cobra in that two-tone brown scheme you commented on, but I think that was a one-off.
As for Army Cobras, the last ones were phased out in October 2001. One of the pilots I interviewed for my book was in on the last flight. Once the Apache came online, the Cobra was relegated to the duty that the Comanche was supposed to fill. Armed fast recon ahead of the attack helos. The AH-1F also gave the Army’s light divisions (10th Mountain, 25th ID, 82nd Airborne) a considerable attack aviation capability. Now all they’ve got are OH-58Ds. I think it may be time to bring back the Snake!
Cobras, in fact, played a significant role in both Desert Storm AND Somalia. After Somalia ops began winding down and I believe all active Army units that had the Cobra retired them by 2000.
[2c]
Thank you for the replies![:D]
HeavyArty, as an Israeli I have never seen an AH-1W super cobra in israeli service, only AH-1S’s, so thank you for the imagintive compliment![:p] I like your models and thanks for the painting tip.
Cobrahistorian, I think I might go with the ghost grey’s. Maybe you can direct me to a link where I can find an illustration of this scheme. I would assume that it may be overall light ghost grey and dark ghost grey on the upper surfaces?
Thank you all very much![8D]
Melgyver,
Here is a 1/32 Revell Bell Jet Ranger (OH-58C) on Ebay, and the Photo: 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3178924813&category=50301
ShModeler,
I didn’t know whether they were in Israeli service or not, just thought it looked pretty good in Israeli colors. Maybe you guys should get some, I think they looks pretty good, and they are pretty handy to have around.
Heavyarty hello.
Yep, Cobra’s in full dark tan coloure are sure nice[8D]. You should look for pictures of Israeli cobra’s from recent years. They have several different types of large Cobra snakes painted on both sides. It varys in coloures and shape.
check out this link:
http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/israel/types/bell1.htm
and scroll down.
As for getting super cobra’s well we allready have some AH-64’s so…
Short answer: Go to twobobs.net and get their decal sheet for the AH-1W or at least look at the pictures of thier instruction sheet online. It has all the decals needed and the FS paint numbers. The decals in the kit are the wrong size. The sand and brown is a ligit USMC DS scheme and not a “one-off” as stated above. The sand and grey was also a good ligit scheme but the side numbers should be 2XX for that squadron/scheme.
Long answer:
Paint Schemes – All AH-1Ws were originally painted in the USMC tri-color (black, green, gray) camouflage scheme that first appeared in the mid-1980s. Just prior to deploying to Desert Shield, HMLA-367 “Scarface” painted all of their AH-1Ws and UH-1Ns with light coat of gray based on the results of visibility (or lack thereof) studies conducted by the Navy. The original tri-color camouflage, especially the black, was still visible through the paint; this gave a visual illusion of a two-tone gray scheme. The reserve squadrons painted their AH-1Js and UH-1Ns in a similar scheme. Within a couple of months of arrival in theater, the parent wing directed that the only acceptable colors for helicopters were all sand, sand/brown, or sand/gray. Prior to Desert Storm all HMLA-367 aircraft were repainted sand/brown. The only visible markings were black Bureau (BuNo) numbers (tail) and MODEX numbers (side). HMLA-367’s assigned side numbers for their ten Cobras were 120s and 130s. Their 18 UH-1Ns were assigned numbers between 100 and 117 (8s and 9s are not used in side numbers). HMLA-369, Gunfighters, deployed to Desert Storm with 18 AH-1Ws and 6 UH-1Ns. They chose to use the sand/gray paint scheme. The sand was applied over the black and green of the tri-color paint scheme. The original gray of the tri-color camo was used as the gray of the sand/gray scheme; any markings that appeared on the original scheme were still visible. Therefore it was common to see half a stencil visible on the gray while the other half was covered by sand. The other two active duty squadrons in theater, HMLA-269 and HMLA-169, kept the original tri-color camo. The reserve AH-1Js, belonging to a different air wing, retained the gray paint scheme. These paints were water-soluble but had fairly well baked on in the desert heat. After Desert Storm it was a common sight to see some pretty ugly birds with paint in various stages of flaking off to the original tri-color. The decals in the MRC kit are for versions of an HMLA-367 Cobra in Desert Storm sand/brown scheme or a HMT-303 (training squadron) Cobra in tri-color camo. HMT-303 always uses 400 series side numbers. The picture on the side of the MRC box is inaccurate in that it shows the tri-color decals on top off the sand/brown paint scheme. To be nit-picky, if you choose to use the tri-color and depict the model with a full load of ordnance, do not use the HMT-303 tail letters (QT). The training squadron does not use TOW or Hellfire.
The two-tone gray low visibility paint scheme came about around 1992. However, it was only applied on aircraft new from the factory or as they were sent back for re-work. By the early 2000s it was very rare to see the tri-color camo scheme.
Randy
Supercobra,
Thanks for the great info.
Supercobra,
Welcome!!! And thanks for the great info! I wasn’t aware that the sand/brown scheme was an actual scheme. My bad… I’ve focused pretty much on the Snake in Army service, but I’m learning more about Marine Cobras every day!
Oh well… off to morning PT!
Thanks supercobra and welcome aboard!
I’ve got a hunch that you’ll be usefull for all the people around the forumes!