Tim Moff Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 So I toyed with this GB as I have 3 helos in the stash, including an earlier version of this (only thing different is decals so not sure how/why I have both!) and the Airfix Merlin......I have a lot ready for the Battle of Britain GB and can just see myself over extending - I have only just come back to the hobby, built in the Nordic GB, also managed to finish off my 2 x F-111 builds from the STGB (have updated the threads!), pushed along a couple of stalled 617 Sqn Lanc builds etc... Then I thought - when would I ever build these things - if not in a Helo GB....so why not! Living in Colchester I regularly have them flying over me from Wattisham, its still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up everytime, throwback to Helmand in 2006 I expect, where part of my role included being a JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) and as callsign WIDOW 67 I often had to call up air support, including UGLY callsigns from the Army Air Corp's 9 Regt/656 AH Sqn. I always like to have some personal link to my builds if possible, this is a bit of a stretch given I will have to build the aircraft as circa 2002! This boxing is not the best, its really a US version with some Dutch decals and British decals....the Heritage add on set for the upgraded AH1 that saved my butt a few times in Helmand in 2006 seems impossible to source.... As ever no crew, again a shout out to any 1/48 Helo crew sat in a spares box that want employing! I looked back and found a picture of an Apache AH1 without all the lumps and bumps that were later added - any experts please do correct me, but I think IO can get away with a UK build based on the initial delivery...if not I am anyways! Obligatory box and sprue shots Aforementioned 'basic' UK Apache - pic dated 2002! Got started yesterday, removing and cleaning up some parts. A little research seems to blow most of the painting guide out of the water, so I have used references and started the pit in various black shades, blades also will be a NATO black. Mr Paint FS34031 US Army Helo Drab is pretty much out of stock everywhere, so I have gone for the Hataka Orange Line version and ordered....found these paints ok to use, once perfectly thinned for whatever airbrush is being used.... won't be weathered too much (new airframe and BoB build in mind!). Priming also started: eye test next week, defo need glasses for close up work now, so I will just do the basics as the IP's look old rather than the UK version and I can't focus as well as the old days!! Some great ref pics for the newer Apaches by @gary1701 available on the site as well. Thanks for looking! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeyboy76 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 Good luck Tim, nice personal touch too. I road moved plenty of the beasties back to Wattisham after being out in Afghan. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary1701 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 (edited) Hi Tim, I look forward to seeing this being built. Just a reference to the configuration of the early UK Apache. I was seeing Wattisham airframes not fitted with HIDAS well into 2008/9. In fact looking through pics I see numerous examples of airframes that have carried HIDAS not being fitted at a later date. I can only speculate that the sets were rotated as airframes came back from deployment. ZJ231, Wattisham, June 2008. I photographed this one again last week. Gary Edited July 5, 2020 by gary1701 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted July 7, 2020 Author Share Posted July 7, 2020 On 7/5/2020 at 6:21 PM, gary1701 said: Hi Tim, I look forward to seeing this being built. Just a reference to the configuration of the early UK Apache. I was seeing Wattisham airframes not fitted with HIDAS well into 2008/9. In fact looking through pics I see numerous examples of airframes that have carried HIDAS not being fitted at a later date. I can only speculate that the sets were rotated as airframes came back from deployment. ZJ231, Wattisham, June 2008. I photographed this one again last week. Gary Thanks Gary - thats really helpful. I am only in Coly, I may have to wander over one day. I think some of the training aircraft are also non HIDAS. It will be out of the box so v basic - I hate not putting UK markings on models if they have that option! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 Bit of beavering away on the tub - still recruiting 2 x Apache Crewman!! Some dry brushing and artistic licence on the non UK IPs etc! Dry fit seems ok, instructions a bit bare, will paint/build up the base area above the rotor then hopefully close up. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Wow thats really impressive progress, I really hope the canopy allows to still see that lovely interior. Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted July 9, 2020 Author Share Posted July 9, 2020 Couple of hours done, got the main rotor area built and placed into the fuselage. but of fiddling around to make the tub line up with the rear bulkhead thingy. primed some other bits and built up or removed from the sprue for some concurrent activity closed up the 2 fuselage halves, fit seemed ok ordered some CVR7 rockets from freight dog (also some GR4 bits to convert a Revell GR1 as part of the upcoming Tonka GB So I can add to the 617Sqn project!) to replace the kit Hydras. Will build up the hellfires as well. some off the bits will have to stay off until painting finished - Hataka US helo drab in the post. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desert falcon Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Looking good so far! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Nice work so far Tim. It's a pity Italeri couldn't be bothered doing the job properly in updating this kit but like the sound of your plan to make the best of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted July 12, 2020 Author Share Posted July 12, 2020 Bit of filling and sanding on the seams - I can never seem to conquer them but this looks ok. been busy with the Merlin so will look at the next stage on this next week ... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeyboy76 Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 She’s coming along nicely Tim. Looking like a war beastie. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 Little bit of 'hand to hand combat' with fit of some parts 🤣 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted July 25, 2020 Share Posted July 25, 2020 Looks good already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted July 25, 2020 Author Share Posted July 25, 2020 (edited) Bit of a helo day today got the glass masked Getting there - bit if a beast to build... some gaps to fill - but soon getting to the priming stage - lots of the bits to go on at the end. Edited July 27, 2020 by Tim Moff 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Moving on with the Apache after a bit of filling and filing! bit of loose masking Primer on forgot I had Ed Macey’s book, handy for references Hataka us helo drab to go on next 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 She's looking great Tim, really nice work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Coming along just fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 You're making good progress on this beast Tim and sure we're all looking forward to the paintwork progress update 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 Got the Hataka US Army Helo Drab FS 34041 On. just a straight coat, no shading yet. as I’m building a new delivery early AAC version I will likely leave pretty much as is... v dark especially trying to see over a black primer but seems a good colour match ? next stage getting last bits on, gloss and decals 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackem01 Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 Some lovely workmanship there Mr.M, I hope your fuselage went together better than mine. It's very much a curate's egg kit in my opinion but your making the best of yours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 Nice! Any updates? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 1 hour ago, exdraken said: Nice! Any updates? Been on my hols and BoB build - need to come back to this one ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 Minimum decals on this one... not great and a bit of slivering - probably the raised detail.... will look at getting the Matt cote on and gluing on the various handles and rails that have popped off... still hopeful that someone may have a couple of 1/48 crew sitting around spare ! some work to do still with weapons and some of the smaller parts detail painting ... no weathering as building as fairly new.. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 This is a really nice build and taking shape. Like the colour choice and will be great when done. Nice BoB work in the background too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted October 15, 2020 Author Share Posted October 15, 2020 Sadly I am not going to get this build completed by the finish date....I will keep on it and add any updates here, maybe transfer over to the forthcoming KUTA build - I think I was a bit over enthusiastic with the BoB 80 build, the lack of a commute and more time with working from home...my bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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