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  > Approach Fuselage Kit  >  1/9th Scale AH-1F Cobra 60-90

AH-1F Cobra
AP101

This fuselage was designed for the Predator and Xcell mechanics along with the Trex 600. The finished fuselage can be detailed to any degree when built around a fuel powered model, but some care must be taken when installing an electric mechanics. On fuel powered models, the muffler does present a challenge but we have seen plenty of creative solutions on Cobras over the years.

AP101  AH-1F Cobra 60 Scale Fuselage Assembly Kit  $387.00 

When you first open this fuselage, it is well organized into assembly sections. All wood parts are identified using a key number that is shown in the manual and is referenced in the accompanying text. Approach Engineering has used modern CAD (computer aided design) to model the entire fuselage virtually before any wood was cut and as your start building this fuselage, you will start to see why this design approach is so effective. Major fuselage sections are constructed from an interlocking plywood box frame design that integrates the elevated tail and main mechanics sub-frame together in a very lightweight structure. Aesthetic details are then built on top of this base frame that form the rounded surfaces of the fuselage. As the basic frame is plywood, installing a tail drive system is straight forward for models with wire drive tail systems.

The Cobra has an elevated tail that requires a tail rotor that is shaft driven. The fuselage kit includes the same Universal Contour tail drive system as in the AP100 Apache fuselage kit and quite honestly, when correctly installed will provide excellent performance with the current trend of 90 size engines and high speed tail servos. The adapters provided connect the flexible shaft to 5mm diameter take-off shafts on the tail rotor gearbox and tail drive on the mechanics which are standardarized in the 60-90 helicopter class.

The more challenging issue is what to do with the rather ugly muffler that hangs outside the fuselage. There are good solutions by several model manufacturers to provide scale mufflers that fit within the fuselage. These usually do not work in narrow fuselages like the AH-1F Cobra but contact the manufacturer before you buy to verify the muffler dimensions. This is a modeler's preference and due to the restrictive space of the Cobra, we will not object to mounting the tuned muffler on the outside. Priorities are important when it comes to fuel powered models and exhaust systems. We feel it is better to have consistent and reliable engine with a slightly ugly muffler compared to hiding the muffler, but introducing overheating problems. Modelers installing electric mechanics should pay close attention to the same overheating problems related to keeping the electric motor and electronic speed controller within safe operating temperatures.

The modeler can choose to actuate the rotation of the 20mm cannon. This can be mechanically slaved to tail servo or operated on a separate proportional channel. The parts to assemble the cannon include the actuator arm and are installed anyway, all that is left then is to make the servo connection. Other possible areas to further detail would be actuating the TSU on the nose, openable battery and ammunition bays, and engine hatches. This fuselage once again demonstrates the time and dedication put into each Approach Engineering model to adapt to the current trend of helicopter mechanics and are just packed full of great scale accessories that normally are not included with many other fuselages.

Wood Components:

Key coded plywood and balsa laser-cut components with balsa sheeting and stock for the fuselage.

Clear Components:

Clear sheet material provided for the cockpit windows.

Other Components:

Vacuum formed upper fairing to save weight and shaping time.

Metal Components:

Aluminum scale landing gear skids with struts, Universal Contour tail system with adapters.

Documentation:

Construction manual with step by step photographs.

The following photos show a selection of photos from the instruction manual to give you a better idea of exactly what you will be involved with as you build this fuselage. Construction photos are clear and include numbered keys to help you find the correct pre-cut part on the sheets.

	Laser cut plywood fuselage sides bonded to balsa sheeting.			Framed-up fuselage sides with front and rear cross formers.
	Detail of nose section with formers and kerf bending of triange stock.			Curved fuselage sides in nose section of fuselage with front former.
	Nose second former bonded to rear edge of curved balsa sheet.			Cockpit side frames with triangular balsa stock on top edge.
	Framed-up cockpit with sanded balsa tri-stock for cockpit sheeting.			Plywood cockpit alignment formers bonded to balsa side frames.
	Plywood doublers form alignment slots to mate upper fuselage.			Left and right upper transmission-bay side frames.
	Framed-up transmission bay with top and end formers.			Transmission bay, cross and lengthwise sheeted with balsa.
	Engine fairing with auxilliary air intakes sanded on both sides.			Final sanding completed on bottom edge of left engine fairing.
	Rounded exhaust housing after engine intake fairings are attached.			Detail of the actuator arm that can be optionally connected to move the cannon.
	Three barrel 20mm cannon with barrel separators and pivot mount.			Completed 7 tube rocket launcher with adjustable weapons pilon.
	Tow missile launcher without tubes mounted on wing-tip weapons pilon.			Completed Tow missile launcher with wing-tip mount.
	Assembly of telescoping sight unit (TSU) turret mounted under the nose.			Framed-up stub wings with leading edge and fuselage attachment tabs.
	Final sanding of completed stub wing with balsa sheeting.			Hardwood rails and marking for scale landing gear mount points.
	Plywood fuselage bottom installed with default cooling vents.			Aluminum tail tube provided to support Contour tail drive system.
	Plywood tail side frames assembled on cross-support formers.			Assembled tail structure attached to bottom plate.
	Tail tube temporily installed to finalize mount points.			Top cross formers bonded in place to secure tail tube.
	Elevated tail bonded to fuselage sides in alignment tabs.			Laminated balsa tail fins with cross mounting slot.
	Final sanding of tail fins, with symmetric contour shape.			Tail fins temporarily installed to complete sanding before paint.
	Contour tail drive installed with support formers along tail boom.			Leading edge balsa tri-stock bonded to vertical tail.
	Turbine exhaust vents pre-cut in lower balsa sheeting.			Top sheeting completed for the exhaust housing.
	Final sanding of tail boom and tail drive shaft cover.			Lower elevated tail sheeting installed with tube and pushrod.
	Rudder servo mounted behind main mechanics bay.			Tail pushrod support rail secures pushrod housing.
	Assembled leading edge half of top tail cover.			Optional bottom access cover for electric mechanics.
	Right stub wing tab fitted to fuselage for final sanding.			Completed teardrop shaped top fairing with cutout for rotor head.