Aviation Art, The Defense of An Loc AH-1 Cobra

In a defining moment in the history of warfare, a change was wrought that has affected wars fought since. On April 13, 1972 the North Vietnamese launched a fierce attack with approximately 40 tanks and supporting troops upon the provincial capital of An Loc, eighty miles north of Saigon. A defense force of South Vietnamese troops and a small contingent of American advisors were quickly overwhelmed, with the NVA Soviet T-54 tank column penetrating defenses to within a few yards of the American Command Bunker.

Fortunately, the 1st Cavalry Division, Battery F, 79th Artillery, otherwise known as "The Blue Max" was on station. They responded with two AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters. In a daring and entirely untried maneuver with newly developed HEAT 2.75" rockets never before tested in combat, they rolled in and attacked the three lead T-54 tanks. The first two 2.75" rockets launched destroyed the lead tank, halted the attack and began what can be accurately described as a rout by the Blue Max. This defining moment established the Attack Helicopter as a lethal weapon that has entirely changed the face of war.

Print Size: 25"h x 29"w
100 Lb Museum quality paper, acid free.
Limited Edition 750
Signed and numbered by artist.