"America could have this Flying Tank instead of..." Topic

… THE APACHE

"Today, the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is world renown as one of the most capable combat rotorcraft ever to take to the sky, but years before the first Apache flew, one defense firm proposed meeting America's attack chopper needs with a flying tank of sorts, in the Model 49.

In the early 1960s, the U.S. Army was eager to capitalize on lessons learned from the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, better known as the Huey, in Vietnam. The Huey had proven that helicopters were a viable and effective means of moving troops around the battlefield, but that lesson came at a heavy price. A total of 7,013 UH-1 helicopters flew at different points during the Vietnam War, and an astonishing 3,305 of them were shot down, killing more than a thousand pilots and more than 1,100 other crew members.

With the war ongoing, the Army knew they needed to shift their approach to rotorcraft, and simultaneously began looking for a new, more resilient platform that could be used for rapid troop movements and another more heavily armed platform that could be relied upon for close air support. While the U.S. Air Force could provide support to troops on the ground, their fast-moving jets were just too quick and too vulnerable to hang out low-and-slow over a gunfight. The legendary Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, better known as the Warthog, would eventually become a troop favorite for this role, but it was still more than a decade away from entering service at the time…"

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Armand

Yeah, I think the Apache was a more practical choice.

That looks a bit like a GW dropship.

Agree with both of you … When you see some of the concept drawings, etc., from '50s & '60s, many look like something out of a comic.

(smile)

Armand

Um, yeah… no.

You say no, but: link

Looks more like some of the whacko 80's vehicles for GI Joe.

@Stryderg: It still looks like the better decision was made.

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These are two examples, imagine today, perhaps someone would be so moronic to trust these projects!

Seems to me they should make a few for testing.

(smile)

Armand

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