FYI

68-17023 was a Bell AH-1G-BF Cobra transfered to the USMC , later returned to the Army and converted to a AH-1F.

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/1968.html

(?) history for 68-17023

http://www.scarface-usmc.org/the_aircraft.htm#bn

Another gent from your group posted the same question on a different forum and I checked this forum’s posts.

AH-1G 68-17023 was USMC 158228
Posted on this forum last April by Tom, might help somebody remember something about that bird.

https://www.popasmoke.com/notam2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2959&highlight=6817023

Semper Fi,
Ryan

According to the HMA-169 Command Chronology, 1 Jan-30 Jun 1972, 68-17023 was accepted by the squadron on 22 May.

There were still 4 or so in the squadron as late as early 1976. I helped get the last ones ready for transfer to HMA-773 at El Toro. I don't remember any of the serial nos.

AH-1G 68-17023 was built for the US Army and accepted on charge on the 8th of September, 1969 and delivered directly to the USMC VMO-2 at Danang, taken on charge there on the 19th of September, 1969. On 17th December 1969, to HML-367 at Marble Mountain. Recieved by H&MS16, Snata Ana on the 23rd of July, 1971 with total hours of 1231. To HMA-169 at Camp Pendleton on the 22nd of May 1972. To MARTD Atlanta (HMA-773)on the 1st of August, 1976.
Into storage at Davis Montan AFB, Tucson, AZ on the 16th of October, 1978, coded "MP-419" with a total time of 2178 hours and 2047 landings.

Eventually, whilst in storage, on the 23rd of March 1981, the aircraft was transferred back to US Army custody. On the 22nd of April, 1981, it left the storage facility and was delivered to the US Army at Amarillo, TX for eventual return to Army service.

It was noted with the 7th Cav as an AH-1F in May 1990 and last noted as stored at Fort Drum in August 2001, last unit having been 1/158 th Cav, MD ARNG.

I flew in 68-17023

In September, 1969 while a pilot with VMO-2. I flew it on the 25th a .6 with LtCol Chick Chalgren, the CO. It is listed as "Mission 5" in my logbook. Something must have gone wrong, because none of the "normal" missions lasted that short a time. I flew it a couple of times in October and November also.

I suffer from CRS, so unless something really bad (or good) happened, it was a routine hop with the CO.

Cobra Dedication

The Cobra that was with HML-367 is almost ready to be hoisted up on its stand. It has been painted Marine Corp Field Green and has the cobra face on it. It also has some Model "F" features (20MM Gun, aiming arm on right side, TOW missle launchers, and other small features not on "G" Model). The dedication ceremony for this aircraft will be August 14, 2004, at 1000 Hrs. The location is The Brevard Veteran's Museum located on Merritt Island, FL. Everyone who lives in the Central Florida Area is invited to attend. I personally have helped restore this aircraft with Scarface identification, at least as much as I could remember and some photos that I have. It would be nice to see as many POP-A-Smoke members as possible attend and also any HML-367 Members. They are supposed to have a couple of Marine Generals who flew this aircraft or were in Scarface during the time it was in Vietnam say a word or two. Hope to see some people from POP-A-SMOKE and HML-367 at the dedication. If you need any more information you can contact me at (321) 727-0357, or email at earshml367usmc.att.net .

Semper Fi
Terry McGovern
HML-367 RVN 69-71
USMC 67-71
Scarface Ordnance
WE PUT THE VENOM IN THE COBRA

Terry,

As I know I can't make it, along with other Marines, can you post some pic's of 68-17023/158228. Thanks.

Semper Fi,
Ryan