Plastic model helicopter AH-1Z VIPER 1:48

KH80125 - AH-1Z VIPER 1:48 Plastic Model Helicopter

The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, designed and produced by American aerospace manufacturer Bell Helicopter. It is one of the latest members of the prolific Bell Huey family. 

The AH-1Z features a bearing-less, hinge-less rotor system, with 75% fewer parts than articulated four-blade systems. The rotor blades are made of composite materials, giving them greater ballistic resistance. The rotor is equipped with a semi-automatic folding system, enabling the AH-1Z to be stored more efficiently on board amphibious assault ships and other means of transport. Efforts have been made to maximize its maintainability and minimize maintenance requirements; compared with the SuperCobra, many maintenance tasks have been eliminated, interactive electronic technical manuals have been produced, less spare parts storage is required, and accessibility has also been improved.

The AH-1Z features a pair of redesigned truncated wings, significantly longer than those of the previous SuperCobra. Each has an additional wingtip station for a missile such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Each wing has two additional stations for 70mm Hydra rocket pods or AGM-114 Hellfire quadruple missile launchers. In early 2022, initial operational capability (IOC) was achieved with the AGM-179 JAGM, which uses the same type of missile launcher as the Hellfire. The AN/APG-78 Longbow fire-control radar can also be mounted on a wingtip station. Other mission equipment can also be mounted on these stations, including 77- and 100-gallon external auxiliary fuel tanks, LUU-2A/B night flares and many types of training ammunition. Under the nose of the AH-1Z is an A/A49E-7 turret equipped with a 20 mm M197 three-barrel rotary cannon; this weapon has a higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory than its predecessors, and is also compatible with M50 series air-to-air ammunition.