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Hi all, I wanted to
branch out into helicopters and, as a modern Brit enthusiast, the
Augusta/Westland build of the AH-64D Apache seemed a logical choice. Known as
the AH.1 Apache in the service of the UK's Army Air Corps (AAC) the British
Apache has all manner of unique equipment fits that distinguish it from other
Apaches, and which are changing all the time due to operational experience in
Afghanistan.
I chose to
model the current fit, correct as of summer 2010 of ZJ183, and found it to be no
small challenge.
Click on
images below to see larger images
There are several kits in
72nd scale variously meant to be an AH-64 but none are too accurate. The
best basis for my needs I found to be the Italeri 'Longbow' kit which has
some nice surface detail but needs a fair bit of work in addition to the
specialist British modifications.
There were so many little (and not so little) bumps and lumps to add that I actually lost track of them all. I may do a revisionist list and post it one day, but it would be a long list. The three pictures with yellow dots show where some kind of conversion or detailing work was needed. I never tired of detailing this kit as there was something new to do every day. All detailing was from scratch and
I'm quite happy how the sponson extensions, MAWS sensors, and expendable dispensers came out.
The main thing is I had fun doing it.
Cheers all,
Ian Buick
Click on
images below to see larger images
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