A horizontal stabilizer tail from a Bell AH-1 Cobra single-engined attack helicopter developed and manufactured by the American rotorcraft manufacturer Bell Helicopter. The lightweight metal tail approximately measures 32″ x 29.5″ x 2.5″, with a Bell metal parts tag reading: “Part No. 209 020 801 1, Ser. No. GG D0337, LT 8.” In fine condition, with overall expected wear from use.
In June 1967, the first examples of the AH-1, also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake, entered service with the US Army and was promptly deployed to the Vietnam theatre. It commonly provided fire support to friendly ground forces, escorted transport helicopters, and flew in ‘hunter killer’ teams by pairing with Hughes OH-6A Cayuse scout helicopters. In the Vietnam War alone, the Cobra fleet cumulatively chalked up in excess of one million operational hours; roughly 300 AH-1s were also lost in combat.
