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

[Skii]

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 ...

 

[Skii]

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

 

[Skii]

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

 

[Skii]

Thanks guys

Will - pm me on BM and we'll see what you've got

Anyone know a good online supplier for plasticard etc..


And lovely model!

thanks

I use Netmerchants for plastic card - very quick delivery too

http://www.netmerchants.co.uk/

 

[Skii]

Just a quick update

- Mast mounted radar detail added, blades fixed into position

And then some oil paints were used to weather the paintwork to a more realistic and 'used' appearance