Another model in progress - 1/32 British Apache Longbow (image heavy)

Skii · 28 Nov 2011 at 10:37

Hi all

Progress has been slow on this - my son Harrison was born 5 weeks ago so babies and my hobby are not exactly what I'd call compatible

Anyway - this is my lates project - I'm converting a very old 1/32 Revell kit of an early 'A' model Ah-64 Apache to a current 'D' model WAH-64 flown by the Army Air Corps.

Not an easy task as the differences are considerable - I've had to scratchbuild an entirely new cockpit as the old one was analogue and completely different to the Longbow cabin. Externally the avionics bays either side ofthe fuselage are much larger and wider to accomodate the massive amount of electronics and equipment used by the updated model - again all scratchbuilt with plastic card.

Chain gun detai lreplaced and upgraded, scratchbuilt radar dome and column, plus all the lumps and bumps that the HIDAS system is bolted to on the British version of this helicopter.

Its a big model, it's going to be even bigger once I get the blades on so transporting it to shows is going to be a challenge - one thing is for sure though, you won't see many Longbows in this scale !

more to come soon ...

greywolf · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:21

Ah the Apache, my all time favourite aircraft.

The model is looking good, especially the scratch built parts. You must have quite a bit of patience and a steady hand, both of which I seem to lack, normally resulting in "that'll do".

Looking forward to seeing it progress.

Kodiak · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:21

Holy crap that is awsome!

Edrof · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:22

Holy awesome pants!

Combat squirrel · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:23

Kodiak said:
Holy crap that is awsome!

This!

infernox · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:24

Well, I can barely put a model rally car together... haha

Cosimo · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:38

Kodiak said:
Holy crap that is awsome!

Indeed, such great skills on display. I'm looking forward to the updates.

SuperTronNarwhal · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:41

So does baby ride Apache once done?

Skii · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:46

SuperTronNarwhal said:
So does baby ride Apache once done?

How cool would that be

cheers guys - its a long term project so something that I put aside and pick up whenever I get the chance and the motivation to do a bit. Because I'm taking so long I can afford to be picky and not move on until every bit I'm working on looks 'right', as soon as I get the engine pods finished (fairy shortly) the project will take a big step forward as I can start some serious painting.

Glad you like it

WillyNelson · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:49

Sweet!

Mat · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:49

lol

New baby, blah, blah... anyway ON TO THE IMPORTANT STUFF!!

Looks good

vanandjuanunited · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:50

Jealous

Build models but wouldnt have the skill or patience for this

Penguin · 28 Nov 2011 at 11:58

Looks awesome dude!

AFK_Matrix · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:03

God I can't wait to be in my new house and get the garage setup as my modeling area. I have a 1/200 model of the bismarck waiting to be finished plus about 8 other models I want to complete and have the kits for lol.

Can't wait to start work on the SR-71 Blackbird and the Vulcan models I have, I think they'll look awesome.

Will · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:05

Great model as ever Skii...have to confess my interest in the hobby has waned a little, no longer do I post often on Britmodeller but I expect I will return one day...still got an epic stash of 1/48 jets to build and I expect I'll come back to it.

What are you going to do for the CRV-7 rocket pods? Can't see the rounded front with 19 holes being an easy part to scratchbuild myself!

Xordium · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:10

Amazing work - will watch this with interest.

Hank_Marvin · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:12

Looks excellent, very nice!

Skii · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:12

Will said:
What are you going to do for the CRV-7 rocket pods? Can't see the rounded front with 19 holes being an easy part to scratchbuild myself!

Hey Will, modelling is funny like that isn't it? Very easy to go completely off the hobby only to find at a later stage in life the bug bites again and all of your paints have gone solid...!

you'll pick it back up soon I'm sure as you used to do some lovely in-flight stuff if I recall correctly ?

The rocket pods are in-hand. I drilled the 19 holes through a block of styrene card sandwiched together - then sanded the block into a dome shape. (one of a few early attempts on the left!)

I've got it looking a lot sharper and cleaner than it looks in this early photo, but I'll be sending this off to my mate Mike along with the HIDAS sensors for him to cast in resin and knock out a few copies

Will · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:23

That looks awesome, I find scratchbuilding often quite frustrating myself! Its the little bits that add to the looks and they are the hardest.

You're right about it being a hobby to dip in and out of, I do model but very rarely, got another 1/48 Tornado (Italeri/Flightpath/various) on the go at the mo and its heavy going, been at it a few months and not got much done....last thing I actually finished was a Tamiya F-16 so working with this basic kit is a bit of a pain frankly. You don't fancy moulding a few bits to model 1/48 Paveway IVs and sending those off for Mike to mold do you?! Still can't believe nobody has done them given how many other obscure items you can buy.

AFK_Matrix · 28 Nov 2011 at 12:25

Sorry mate forgot to say how good your model is looking, nice job. I'd love to scratch build a 1/200 Hood ship but that is quite some undertaking. So much respect on scratch building parts for your model.

I too have left my ship for around 2 years now, and I am slowly getting the bug again but its now a pain to try and remember where I got upto on my build lol.