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Hi, does anybody know of any kits that contain a U.S. 230 gal drop tank. Modern era (afghan). Scale is 1/72. It is for an apache build I'm compiling. So far I have the tamiya rebox (Italeri) Apache, airwaves etch, attack squadron resin hellfire missiles. The source book is Osprey combat aircraft 57, AH-64 Apache units of ops enduring freedom and Iraqi freedom. Cheers! P.s. Is there an alternate source for the M261 rocket launchers? (Just out of interest)

Just purchased this from local model shop, will it make a good representation of Apache operated by AAC, or will I need to add/delete any fixture fittings. Derek

Hello all, I've decided to build somewhat of a tribute to recognise the drawdown of 13 years of Op Herrick by building some of the equipment that was used in the conflict. Multiple builds in multiple scales, not all will be aircraft though! This is what I've decided on so far: 1/144 C-17 1/72 C-130J 1/48 WAH-64D 1/48 Harrier GR-9 1/35 Jackal 2 I'll add all the builds to this thread instead of starting several. First up will be the C-17. Comments and suggestions welcome. Dave

I've gotten hold of the 1/48 Hasegawa AH-64D Longbow. I bought it after studying the sprulayout and found it to be identical with Hasegawa's WAH-64D kit. I have the Aviation Worshop decals where there are decals for the british WAH-64D. What more do I need - surely it can't be this easy, can it? Cheers Hans J

AH-64D Longbow Apache "100 Years Military Aviation" Revell 1:48 The AH-64 Apache was developed from the US Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter programme in the early 1970s. This stemmed from The US Army need to fill its anti armour role, following the cancellation of the AH-65 Cheyenne programme. This was designed to find the replacement for the AH-1 Cobra. Hughes Helicopters developed their Model 77 which became the YAH-64. The YAH-64 first flew in 1977. It features a nose mounted sensor suite containing targeting sensors and night vision equipment. A 30mm chain gun was carried under the forward fuselage and stub wing pylons provided four hard points for carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and unguided rocket pods. The helicopter was introduced into US Army service in 1986. The AH-64D or Longbow Apache identified by the Longbow radar system carried on the mast head entered service in 1996. This was produced now by Boeing as they had acquired McDonnell Douglas, who themselves had acquired Hughes. The US Army is the primary user of the AH-64. Other users are Greece, Japan, Israel, Singapore and the Netherlands. The AH-64 is produced under licence in the UK by AgustaWestland as the AH1. The Royal Netherland Air Force acquired its Apaches in 1995 after it won their competition against the Eurocopter Tiger and the AH-1 Super Cobra. They now have 30 airframes which have seen use in Djibouti, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. One of their Apaches is used in a demonstration role and carries and attractive paint scheme for this. The Kit The Kit is the old Monogram kit, which dates back to 1986. You get the AH-64A kit along with a new sprue for the D model parts. The kit is typical of the period. The parts though are well cast and there is little flash evident. The kits is 3 sprues of grey plastic which form the basis of the original kit, and one sprue in a light grey plastic which supplies the D model parts. The new parts also have the distinctive mast head radar, whilst not used in this boxing it does mean a normal Longbow Apache can be made if you can source the decals. Construction starts shockingly enough with the cockpit. Controls are added along with instrument consoles and seats. Two pilot figures are supplied if the modeller wishes to use them. Construction then moves to the starboard fuselage half. The parts for the tail rotor attachment are installed. Following this the main rotor is built up and installed onto the decking which forms the back of the cockpit area (though I suspect most will leave this off until the end). Once this is complete the two fuselage halves can be assembled after taking care to open up the holes where needed. The next stage is to make up the engine pods and stub wings for both sides and attach them. The stubs wings interlock with each other to form a stronger joint. Following this the D model parts are added to the fuselage. They form the underside and side avionics pods. The landing gear is assembled and added along with the weapons pylons on the stub wings. Next you get to assemble and add the chain gun, sensor turret and tail wheel. Finally a variety of grab handles, external fuselage parts and the canopy are added. It should be mentioned that a lot of the external fuselage fixings must only be placed on after the decals are applied otherwise you will not get the decals on! The instructions then show putting additional details onto the main rotor, then installing it; strange as much earlier on in the instructions you have already put this on!! I suspect the earlier step is a mistake and they have not removed this from the A model instructions. A good reason to read the instructions through first Canopy The canopy is clear and molded with no flaws. It can be posed open or closed as needed. Decals The decals are the star of this release from Revell. The decals have been designed by Syhart and printed in Italy. The modeller will have to paint base Olive drab at the front of the helo, and the grey on the rear; along with the moving tail. The rest of the markings are provided on the extensive decal sheet. All of the printing looks good, and no register issues can be seen. Conclusion This should make upto a good looking model of the special marked Dutch Apache. Recommended if you want a bit of colour. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit

Time has been tight recently between moving house, new job, new baby and a multitude of 'important' things to be done. I thought a 1/144 build would be the ideal thing as a low part count and small surface area might allow some visible progress in the moments I have. I bought the kit for no reason a few months ago, I think I just fancied a helicopter in the stash incase the urge took me! 3 sprues and decals. Plan is to have it in flight on a thin piece of clear acrylic rod and a small base, possibly with a tiny SCUD launcher as the box art if I can find a Micro-Machines one for a reasonable price, I'm not sure my scratch building can stretch to a 1/250 SCUD vehicle! Apart from one of the side fittings self sacrifice to the new houses carpet the main parts have gone together beautifully. Some rescribing due on the engine pods once everything is together. These are the remaining parts for when the fuselage is joined. A protective rail for the machine gun will be scratched in time. Cockpit tub with very restrained weathering. I may add a hint of sand/dust in the footwells. The decals are black and white but give a fair impression of layout. Forward console with as much detail as I could muster. The pilots are my first ever attempt at green-stuff sculpting. I'm (quietly) really happy with how they've come up with some paint on. A little highlighting and they'll be ready to close up. Hopefully another post soon with the completed cockpit - exciting! Thanks for looking Pete

Cyber-Hobby is to release two new tool 1/72nd Boeing AH-64A Apache & AH-64D Longbow Apache kits - ref. 5078 & 5084. Source: http://ipmsdeutschland.de/Ausstellungen/Nuernberg2014/Nuernberg_2014.html V.P.

Hi, It has been a while since I've posted. I've now finished my AAC WAH-64 Longbow Apache AH Mk.1. It has been a slow build, but I managed to finish it. It's from Operation Herrick ca. 2006. I've scratched som UK specifik antennae, and a scoop?? on the right side of the nose. I've also remade the grips and the guards in front of the landing gear. I did some wire superdetailling on the Longbow unit and on the gun. For the HIDAS gear, rockets and the decals, I've used Isracasts conversion set. Cockpit is Aires resin cast. I managed to find a '4' in my spare decal box, and the serial is ZJ224, which I think is the one Ed Macy flew to Jugroom Fort ? It was painted with WEM Helo drab and toned down with MM helo drab. Afterwards, I made a thin dust wash, which doesn't really show through the dust powder. I wish the dust would have been more red, though. I wanted to show a dusty Apache, from Afghanistan. I hope you like it. I am just pleased to have finished it and can now move on to something other. Cheers,

Pics of Royal Netherlands Air Force AH-64D airshow helo from Fairford, Pics from Graham James.