The Photos
The info
A Cobra strengthens the Flying Bulls
Reg. N11FX
Latest member of the Flying Bulls: the Bell AH-1 Cobra is America’s legendary
combat helicopter. It will mainly be used by the Flying Bulls in airshows.
For years it was the US Army’s classical combat helicopter. Produced in several
versions since 1966, the Bell AH-1 Cobra earned itself a legendary reputation in the
Vietnam war. With the delivery of the first Apaches the Army gradually began to
part company with the Cobra, only the Marines still use this model. The Flying Bulls’
new acquirement is an TAH-1F, which was built in the eighties and was completely
wrecked and demilitarised at the end of its service. This relic, which had even been
cut in half, was later discovered by the wellknown American helicopter pilot and
collector Chuck Aaron, and completely reassembled by 2002.
Thereafter it not only made an impression at many airshows, but was also used in
TV serials such as “JAG” and “Walker, Texas Ranger”. Naturally, Chuck Aaron was
always in command. In 2004, the Flying Bulls discovered this gem and after
protracted export formalities – the Pentagon keeps a watchful eye on former
military equipment – they were finally able to bring it to Salzburg, where it was
received with all honours in December 2005.
The Flying Bulls’ Bell TAH-1F is made up mainly of original parts straight from the
factory. The F version was the last Cobra to be built with just one engine – and the
Bulls’ specimen is the last one capable of flying, and is also the only one in Europe.
Pilot Siegfried “Blacky” Schwarz, who had to go through special training in the USA
for this helicopter, will be exhibiting it mainly at airshows. When the Bell is not
flying, it can of course be seen at any time in Hangar-7 at Salzburg Airport. Technical Specifications:
Bell Cobra TAH-1F Reg.: N11FX Year of construction: 2002 S/N: 003
Length: 13.9 m
Height: 4.24 m
MTOW: 4,536 kg
Fuel consumption: 400 liter/h
Power: 1,800 HP
Max. speed: 190 kts
Cruising speed: 160 kts
Max operational time: 2 h 15 min
Power plant: Lycoming T53-L-703
Pilot:
Siegfried Schwarz, born 1957, Chief Pilot Helicopter of The Flying Bulls
The Cobra is flown by the Austrian Siegfried Schwarz, well known as “Blacky”, who
is without doubts a helicopter legend in Austria and all over Europe.
Blacky gained in the last 30 years more than 9.000 hours flying in a helicopter as a
professional and airshow pilot. Most of his flying hours where done as a rescue pilot
in Austria, saving the life of thousands of people under most extreme weather
situations. Just normal, that Blacky’s other passion is far away of flying only normal
helicopters; as the helicopter chiefpilot of The Flying Bulls in Salzburg/Austria he is
checked out in the legendary US attack helicopter “Bell COBRA TAH-1F”, the only
civil exemplar within Europe.
Blacky is the founder of the Red Bull Helicopter Aerobatic Team and 1 of only 3 (!)
civil pilots worldwide, who is able to fly a helicopter “upside down” with the BO-105
helicopter of The Flying Bulls. Hundred of hours at training with his teammate and
instructor Rainer Wilke where necessary to perform aerobatic displays with a
helicopter on a level like that only a couple of hundred feeds above the ground.
Blacky’s future plans involve beside another couple of thousands of helicopter hours
to explore further possibilities of helicopter aerobatics to make a unique airshow
routine performed by a professional team all over the world.
And now for a quick video
[youtube]u2TCnws7lnI[/youtube]
I will upload the sprune shots tomorrow when ive got better light. Will be starting this when ive finished one of my builds.
setting solutions might be a good tip!!
)
