Centaur Cobras - Cobra Helicopter Canvas | INCLUDES: Battery Panel Piece

"Centaur Cobras" by Artist Craig Tinder

This Fine Art Print by Artist Craig Tinder honors the crews in Vietnam who flew the Bell AH-1 Cobra Gunship. 

The Story Behind the Print:

In August 1972, 1LT Kenneth R. "Ken" Mick flew his AH-1G Cobra Gunship (68-15012) in support of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. The skies of Vietnam had become increasingly perilous for U.S. helicopter pilots due to the introduction of the Soviet-made SA-7 "Strela" Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM). The SA-7, a shoulder-fired heat-seeking missile, posed a new and deadly threat to low-flying U.S. aircraft, which relied heavily on mobility and altitude for survival in combat.

To counter this emerging danger, the U.S. military implemented an "up-turned" exhaust modification and auxiliary scoop kit to reduce the heat signature of helicopters like the AH-1G Cobra, which would otherwise be an easy target for the SA-7’s heat-seeking technology. Cobra No. '012, piloted by 1LT Mick, was among the first combat Cobras to receive this upgraded suppression kit, significantly reducing the risk of missile attacks. This crucial modification diverted hot exhaust gases away from the aircraft's rear, making it harder for heat-seeking missiles to lock onto the aircraft's engine.

As Mick surveyed the dense and rugged Vietnamese landscape from the cockpit of his Cobra, his mission was to provide close air support and reconnaissance for ground troops. The Cobra, with its advanced firepower, including rockets and a 20mm cannon, was instrumental in these missions. The added protection of the suppression kit enabled Mick and his fellow pilots to engage enemy forces with greater confidence, knowing their aircraft were better equipped to evade the increasingly sophisticated threats of the battlefield. The retrofitting of these countermeasures to Cobras like Mick’s AH-1G represents a significant chapter in the evolution of combat aviation during the Vietnam War.

Visit the Journal to read the full story!

Commissioned by Museums, Treasured by Collectors

This item is handmade by artist, Craig Tinder. Available to ship worldwide!