AH-1 Cobra Ride - "Return to Target" Tactical Manuevers

[@a.s.7386]

Got to ride in one back in 1971. I get settled in the front seat and the pilot asks, "Ever gotten air sick?" I tell him no, he says he'll see if he can't change that. Good old Captain Buck. I did not get airsick, but I'll tell you now nearly 50 years later, I have never had a wilder ride. Made these "return to target " maneuvers look like a walk in the park.The pilot called them "hammer-head" maneuvers. I was up there for over an hour. Doing 100 knots 6 feet over the rice paddies, hopping tank traps, gun runs on 100 ft stone statues, auto-rotations. . .

[@TimToussaint]

Thanks for not spoiling it with music!

[@afrosamurai6969]

indeed

[@video1974]

Yep!

[@howardfortyfive9676]

.... *IN A COBRA GUNSHIP THE MUSIC IS THE ENGINE WITH PILOT & GUNNER PUTTING THE SHIP THROUGH HER PACES. HOOCHEE COO BUBBA LOU*

[@haroldsolomon2110]

i know im asking randomly but does someone know of a way to get back into an instagram account? I somehow lost the login password. I would love any tips you can give me.

[@maximiliansantiago7469]

@Harold Solomon instablaster =)

[@stanwerner7484]

I remember those days Nam 69-70 Vinh Long 1st air cav

[@ludwig0365]

That was AWESOME and your smile at the end....priceless!!

[@jasiahkrusivelt5518]

im currently 28 years old have 3 kids and fly on dcs 24/7 , been on there learning aircraft and falling in love with them for 7 years now. not once have i been to a airshow or saw any of the real life planes ive learned in dcs, im in charlotte north carolina and hopefully they have a airshow around here sometime soon. im sure my boys 10 and 8 would love the noise ☺

[@johnallenherron5880]

I'm glad I got paid to take the ride during maintenance test flights in the Army. The return to target manuevers can be desturbing when you aren't expecting them. I love it.

[@craigdillingham2735]

Absolutely.

[@choppermike5162]

Same same. Bogarted more from seat time than I care to mention!!

[@timothywalsh1001]

Ditto.. 3yrs of flying front seat with a maintenance test pilot. First because I specialized in flight controls when in maintenance so I was asked first, then later as his crew chief. Obviously I learned to fly, my 1st time in OH-58 the pilot was absolutely astonished. I was so happy to have a "normal" cyclic stick !! I ended up flying him around for 4.8hrs that day. Yes... I was being groomed for WOCS and flight school. I ended up working on huge turbocompressors and IHRA ProMod cars. No regrets but often wondered what if....

[@josehernandezcruz3299]

I love these flashbacks! Graduated from Class 86-43 in June 3 1987.

[@kasjun1]

You got took. They used to let me fly for free when I was stationed in Viet Nam. Smiling Tigers !!! D Company 229th Assault Helicopter Bn. First Cav. Although we didn't have A/C.

[@paulielacqua8834]

God bless you (fearless) im always amazed watching the old vids of the G.I's hanging their feet off the side smiling and laughing with each other. Do you just get use to flying all the time fear just goes away??

[@Ridgerunner-qi1xz]

Thank you for your service. Did that ride include hot and cold running RPGs and small arms fire?

[@phapnui]

Was a snake driver in AH1G and they had ECU (environmental control units) or air conditioner. Problem was, in everyone I turned it on, you had to drop your helmet shield down because of the ice chunks thrown out of the vents. So, no one I knew ever used them.

[@josh691978]

My my was 188th guns of spider,Lz sally,He served 3yrs with the 101st/2nd/502nd.

[@johnhaggart9376]

I remember when our unit received "Attack" Aircraft. Yes we had Mikes, but the Cobras followed by the Apache Aircraft changed the mission statement and ETHOS of the unit. Yes, we maintained "Utility" operations/missions. Those operations were upgraded with UH-60 Blackhawks while maintaining UH-1 Bell Helicopter "Huey's." I was Blessed for having the opportunity afforded me in serving along side my fellow Paratroopers as a member of The 82nd Airborne Division. And then serving in The 🌈. And yes. I did choose the word member as a noun, a pronoun, a verb as well as an adjective. An Awesome video.

[@ericgiebel498]

My Grandmother worked for Bell Helicopter for 30 years. The s and j model cobras were always my favorites.

[@allentate3760]

I took this flight a couple years ago. It was a blast

[@goldenmanuever1176]

I just saw this Huey Cobra at R & R on Saturday. It's a D.S. Vet. I thought about it, but ended going on a regular Huey w/ the Chief aka Dad. I have some RTTs of it doing fake gun passes I'll share shortly here on YT. Thanks for sharing this; appreciate it.

[@rodhawkins5037]

I just rode in one today and your video captures the experiance nicely. Well done sir

[@HeliPadUSA]

I am so jealous! This is my favorite helo ever and I never get the opportunity to ride in it...thanks for posting great video!

[@trooperkilo3202]

the rotor sounds at the first of the video are amazing!

[@jsidaho1957]

Awesome video with no music, just the soulful rhythm of that bad ass Cobra ! Thanks for sharing and that looks to be a great air show as well !

[@donarmstrong5872]

68/69 with D Trp 3/5 Cav I was a wrench turner for my unit in the Mekong Delta. I got there right after we had switched from C model gunships and OH-23 scouts to OH-6A scouts and G model Cobras. I had to do multiple mechanical rides. Before that I was a door gunner in the Central highlands. Front seat is refered to as "The bullet catcher." That ride was a smooth ride compared to a ride with a scout pilot in a LOH. Our average shot down happened at 5 feet and 50 knots in our scout ships.

[@bradmiller9507]

Nothing like " HotFuelin" from a big rubber bag... Test Flights Are Proof to Pilots You did The Job Right the 1st. Time! I Never Refused, ( actually I was Itchin To Go) Sir!

[@emilyjackson9927]

Definitely gonna do this next year at the Dayton Vectron Airshow. It's a bucket list event. I'd love to ride along in a F-18 but this looks very cool

[@mrpeabodythethird]

Amazing! Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@veritasestveritas8646]

Thanks for posting. I've been a "strap hanger" on the OH-58C UH-1H, CH-47D, and UH-60L. Never got to front seat in a Cobra. What a view.

[@Avdryz]

Great video, with original sound. Well done.

[@dogbugler]

Talk about super cool. Awesome. It has been awhile back in high school in the 70's, I had a few opportunities to fly in a few choppers. UH-1 Huey, Chinook and Sirkorsky HH-3E aka jolly green giant. High School ROTC back in the day. Be WEll, regards, from N. Tx. dog bugler

[@Sportster20042001]

Terrific, and you did an excellent job videoing.

[@jbriggs10]

Pretty sure I saw my old unit's bug @ counts 7:50. 3rd ACR Brave Rifles. Great Video.

[@claudiopalaciocampo6258]

Nice ride dude! Cool video and the sound with headphones is juat awesome!

[@bluemarshall6180]

7:09 The Classic B-17 Love that Plane. 😇

[@kennethrobinson278]

Last time I flew front seat was October 1982, Ft. Stuart Ga. 2/9 Cav 24th Inf Div.

[@broznkyra4853]

I got two "Gee Whiz" rides in a Cobra in Germany...my first at Hohenfels in 1972 and my second just days before I DEROSed 8n July of 1974...the second was the best ride...we flew NOE over 'Combat City'

[@Iluvbisquits]

$280 for 10 minutes or less? Take my money now!!!

[@Mark22134]

One life time experience $280.00 is nothing

[@billhuber2964]

You take checks?

[@ToddMillerHomeSpec]

Was instantly hit with a big bag of memories. Flew them 81 to 83 US Army. Last tour Korea. Really loved that copter.

[@andrewlewis3433]

Todd Miller so is it just me or does it seem a touch unnecessary to do those maneuvers over water in a single engine bird? Nonetheless, impressive.

[@kendonnelly3248]

Hell yes i'd do it. Mememories. Was 82nd airborne 68j. Used to work on all that armament.

[@beagle28681]

Dude fantastic ! Thank you for sharing !

[@video1974]

No prob man! I'm currently working on the B-17 video. It's a lot longer but your gonna LOVE the sound of those 4 radials from the nose.

[@beagle28681]

So awesome ! Can't wait ! PM sent too !

[@SupesMe]

WOW! I'd pay that in a Hart Beat! I emailed the Cold War Air Museum in TX about taking a Ride in the MI-24....they said it cost about $1500 a Hour just to operate it. You got a GREAT Deal on this!

[@paulielacqua8834]

What a total drag, everything cost soooo much.

[@multitieredinvestor183]

I fed some Cobra pilots in Tay Ninh at my company B 125rh Signal. I got to ride front seat in a Cobra. I got to shoot at Nui Ba Den.

[@jacksonbryantfilms]

I want to do this so damn bad

[@bladerunnerNWO]

That's worth every penny! would do this in a second!

[@hrdknox2000]

Jealous af! Thanks for sharing!

[@jamesdupuis4140]

What a great experience and ride!!

[@schmedlywhiplash6267]

Ahhhh like a whisper on the wind how they would sneak in on ya.....be like wtf they come from? Then we laugh with a thumbs up to the shit eating grin lking down upon us...😂😂😂😂

[@broznkyra4853]

You can't NOT smile after a Cobra ride!!!!

[@markspence3295]

That’s as cool as hell.

[@brooklynrobotworks9866]

I miss my old mount, an AH-1S ECAS, tail # 78-23084, with The 101st. I miss her.

[@ljprep6250]

You can tell by the A/C there's a bit of humidity in the Carolina air.

[@peterjames2004]

is that what that stuff blowing in the cab is

[@bryansimmons4550]

1:38 How did the Army manage to misspell the word "manual" on the side warning stencil? The gunner/co-pilot's artificial horizon is inop, too, but I guess they don't plan on doing any flight in IMC.

[@bill605able]

Hey dude your coconut mat is on fire.

[@ChileMiPais]

Ft Huachuca, libby afld. BlM had one these and yup got to fly it around the area for the pure fun of it. WOP WOP

[@markhc4581]

Awesome ride, thank you for this & don't worry about giving me the finger. I get one at least once a day on the road 🖕😆

[@pomegranatechannel]

Very enjoyable to watch. Sorry it might be a silly question due to my lack of knowledge but does the horizontal situation indicator work properly? because it looks not

[@JordanBulthuis]

It doesn't look like it is working properly

[@tldeck8282]

Pooya I think it was just caged

[@video1974]

Actually, I was so involved with the flight itself I didn't even think to check the guages.......riding in that thing puts you in a flying dreamland, lol.

[@tonyfaconi3442]

The smile on his face says it all!

[@hugebartlett1884]

"DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!!"

[@MrVansan]

nice video sir ;) I like to watch it very much!

[@nguyen3075]

this was supported me when I engaged with VC VIET NAM war 1970

[@rickcruz3382]

You lucky ****** ****** ! ? What's going on with the smoke in the cabin or what is it?

[@electrolytics]

It is absolutely unbelievable the amount of people here wondering what the vapor coming into the cabin is. If you had to guess what would you think it is?

[@paulrushing8610]

That’s right no music. The real thing! Great Job. Where are you doing your maneuvers? Are you Stateside?

[@Defender78]

4:02 uh oh smoke in the cockpit, took a hit?!

[@broznkyra4853]

Looked like an old DC-3 (Spooky) in the distance...was it???

[@LTTUSA]

Totally Awesome!

[@jeromymason6338]

What was that vapor coming out into the cabin?

[@MrPantss]

Brilliant vid!

[@rickhanson4980]

Only interested in the last part with what was taking off from the airport...

[@josephkane825]

Amazing at 1:38, you can read the notice on the side about the explosive etc, and the "Manuel" for...!!!! I guess the military forgot how to spell "Manual".

[@johnsanders7012]

Got my fair share of the front seat as I was a 68m10 which was the armament repairman. We always had extra ammo to burn thru and the pilots always looked out for the ground crew. 7.62, 40 mm, 2.75 inch folding fin rockets and last but not least the tow missle. Got to fire all of them. Nothing like sitting beside a minigun on the pad trying to get it to fire and when it did a 7 ft flame out the front. Talk about a rush.

[@hml3672]

I've paid a couple of hundred for a few minutes in a Robinson, would love a ride in a Huey or Cobra.

[@badfinger6707]

You lucky bastard, you got a snakebite !!!

[@Jeffreykum]

How do you get in the cobra ? They let you fly it too?

[@rustykoenig3566]

Why the smoke being vented into the cockpit?

[@FMA678]

Perdón pero.......de que es el humo que sale de la cabina?????

[@davesmith8330]

What was that stuff blowing in from the dashboard??

[@video1974]

That was just condensation from the AC blowing out of the vents, due to excessively humid air. Looks like smoke but it was just cool air.

[@davesmith8330]

@@video1974 makes sense I never thought of it being that

[@StrokerAce3983]

Was that Piedmont quarry you flew over? Awesome video!

[@video1974]

+Stroker Ace Not really sure man. Thanks!

[@patriciadeklerk9783]

Ooooohhhh that sound great video. Greets lex ( Netherlands )

[@tomthompson7400]

Wouldnt like to fly too far on those gauges ,,, but that aside , great video

[@fixedwingfastmover]

$280 bucks for a check ride, that is close to the monthly pilot pay in '68.

[@broznkyra4853]

Where was this???

[@israeldejesus9639]

Why does this helicopter looks home-made?

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Dang right, I would of done the same if I had the opportunity, wonder if the sound from inside the unit sounded as it would while in combat?

[@SnowTiger45]

What's with all the freaking SMOKE ?

[@dpurser]

It's water vapor out of the air conditioning. You're sitting in a greenhouse and without the A?C, you wouldn't last very long. On a humid day (like every day in Vietnam), all that humidity would turn to vapor when it was cooled.

[@farkoffcnt]

Would the vapour get too much to see target with line of sight?

[@scottmullins3998]

Is the freon leaking from the a/c? What smoke is that being emitted from the vents?

[@scottw6395]

scott mullins That is the air conditioning coming off the environmental control unit (Ecu) that cools the cockpit and both pilot seats. I got about 2000 hours in 4 models of cobras, loved the aircraft.

[@onlyparadise]

The sound of those blades are far far better than some shitty superimposed music...

[@williamshockley2082]

YEP! I remember ECU's spittin ICE!

[@phapnui]

That's no joke. You had to drop your helmet shield. When I drove snakes I never turned it on. But all in all a good ride nevertheless. I flew single ship insertions in mountains in Central Highlands and never felt so helpless going in the lz's to drop of ARVN's. When I was transferred to guns, the armament of the seats and fuel tank were comforting, as well as the rocket pods, the occasional 50 cal, and the turret.

[@fklotaloi]

Uploader , What was that smoke coming for, was that any malfunction or smethng ?thanks

[@Nick-ip6fc]

condensation from the AC

[@michaelhesterberg702]

What are those vaopors streaming into the cockpit?

[@MikeSmith-mz7yt]

Environmental control unit basically your air conditioner

[@volcommadness]

Why is it smoking? I don’t get it

[@thatoneguy4240]

D.co, 82nd CAB. Ft. Bragg, NC. D.CO - 20TH AHB- 1/82ND AVN BDE. 86-88.

[@Error_404_Account_Deleted]

$280 is TOTALLY worth it!

[@dieseldiesel9292]

What was that smoke like substance?

[@willieboy8798]

actually that wasnt a return to target.... return to target you stay on the same heading leaving the target, raise altitude greatly and then 180 then full down cyclic and re attack the same target! the purpose of a return to target is to defeat the person or the gun mechanics so they cant re-acquire the airplane in the sights. it is however a good look about the window... good job on the video!

[@izzymp7304]

That was cool!

[@timruskowski4923]

The sound at 6:24 is eargasmic

[@commonsense31]

is it supposed to smoke like that :)

[@ronnieyarbrough3803]

Yep that's the A/C

[@phatboizbackyardkustomz9006]

Bleed air a/c

[@hermanjonesjr.6315]

That was so cool.

[@klouden6172]

$280 for 10 minutes or less - i will wait for a groupon deal.

[@bill605able]

What is this odd spinning paddle machine?

[@phatboizbackyardkustomz9006]

Targeting stuff for the gun and missiles

[@jesusvonnazareth9325]

Why come there smoke out?

[@MrKonradWhite]

Is that smoke ?or just air?

[@yeehaw31415]

+Konrad B. Super cold AC

[@video1974]

Air.

[@MrKonradWhite]

Thx !

[@video1974]

@reverse thrust Yeah, it was quite soupy that day. I was amazed it was even that humid for North Carolina.

[@bradmiller9507]

No Smoke... Humid air makes Contrails...

[@JulianJohnston919]

I thought the damn thing was smoking LOL

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

jannis joplin AC

[@ThePkl35]

wooooooooooow just awesome....

[@rkfinch2740]

Yea!

[@terrencejackson4587]

Oh look, the pilot is pumping white gas in there for you to calm you down so you don’t puke during the gun runs!

[@AllenBrosowsky]

Anybody know why the Attitude Indicator was not working?

[@AllenBrosowsky]

***** I did and at 9:05 they weren't in a dive.

[@mchldpy]

It was. In the back.