This group of photos represents one of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fire Service AH-1 Cobra Firewatch helicopters. The Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter in these photos started out as a Roco kit and was completed to represent USFS Firewatch Cobra N109Z. The kit was custom painted with custom decals and features added. It was photographed on a 1/87 module outdoors. There are two Firewatch Cobra helicopters typically based in California and Idaho. There is a third helicopter similar to this in Florida. The typical machine gun turret under the nose has been removed and adapted for the fire service. The FLIR turret (Forward Looking Infrared) is equipped with an infrared camera, low light color camera, spotter scope, laser range finder, and a laser pointer. The USFS has them outfitted with infrared sensors so that they can be used for close in intelligence support for ground troops, GIS mapping, real time color video, geo-referenced infrared, and infrared downlink. In addition to intelligence gathering, they are also used as a platform for an Air Attack Group Supervisor (ATGS) or a Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO).
These helicopters are accompanied by a “Data Van” staffed with a GIS technician who can use the shape files produced on the helicopter to make perimeter maps of the fire. The van is also used for receiving and viewing the down-linked live video feed from the helicopter. This information can be relayed to firefighters on the ground for up to date information on how the fire is progressing, safety concerns and escape routes. The 1/87 data van in the photos started off as a newly released sprinter van from Walthers Scenemaster. It was repainted with custom decals added to resemble the USFS firewatch data van.
Posted September 26, 2021 |
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