British AAC WAH-64D Apache Longbow drop tanks

[Dave Swindell]

Another drop tank question, this time the Army Air Corps Apaches - Anyone know of a source for suitable droptanks in 1/72?

I see them quite frequently low level round us in the lakes, they're usually toting one, usually 2 droptanks on the inboard pylons.

I've got the Academy 1/72 kit for the British Apache, which looks a pretty good representation, however whilst it comes with a full loadout of missiles it doesn't include any droptanks.

I've had a browse through scalemates looking at AH-64 kits but can't spot one that comes with droptanks, or any after market ones

@Greg B ? I believe you might know a bit about Apaches

[Greg B]

Sorry mate, I’m a Sapper. I just built stuff they could get off the ground from

 

[Dave Swindell]

14 hours ago, Greg B said:

Sorry mate, I’m a Sapper. I just built stuff they could get off the ground from

No worries Greg, thanks for the reply, hopefully someone else might know.

[theplasticsurgeon]

I just checked the instructions for the MirageHobby kit - no sprue-maps or droptanks in my build

BUT they are shown on the boxart for this kit.  Deffo not worth finding that kit - just for the tanks.

Nothing in the Italeri kit either,

[JagRigger]

Army Cast had them in an Israeli upgrade set but discontinued and expensive

[Dave Swindell]

4 hours ago, theplasticsurgeon said:

I just checked the instructions for the MirageHobby kit - no sprue-maps or droptanks in my build

BUT they are shown on the boxart for this kit.  Deffo not worth finding that kit - just for the tanks.

Nothing in the Italeri kit either,

Hi Tim I hadn't spotted the Mirage Hobby kit, as you say, I don't think I'll bother just for the tanks. I knew they weren't in the Italeri kit as I have that in the stash, acquired before the Academy kit was released.

 

4 hours ago, JagRigger said:

Army Cast had them in an Israeli upgrade set but discontinued and expensive

I had spotted them, but as you say, discontinued and expensive just for the tanks if you could find one. 

Thanks guys, I'll keep looking...

[theplasticsurgeon]

I was going to suggest, how similar they are to Blackhawk tanks.  Which will be a lot easier to find,

and is discussed in this thread.

[exdraken]

34 minutes ago, theplasticsurgeon said:

I was going to suggest, how similar they are to Blackhawk tanks.  Which will be a lot easier to find,

and is discussed in this thread.

not sure if the British one would not use smaller tanks:

Those are clearly British Apaches, (roundels, rocket pods)

https://www.psmagazine.army.mil/Portals/74/Images/CHASE/C1034243D_A.jpg?ver=2020-08-27-113747-740

 

https://robertsonfuelsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/AH-64_CP.jpg

https://robertsonfuelsystems.com/defense/reduced-size-crashworthy-external-fuel-system-rcefs/

 

those here look rather enourmous, and could very well be the BlackHawks 230 gal tanks:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6d/0f/e8/6d0fe81b806e42094232d776bac996e9.jpg

 

[Troffa]

The external Fuel tanks used in combat by the UK Apache were developed by US Company Robertson.  They took the large Apache Torpedo like "Ferry Tanks", which had no crash protection or resistance to punctures, and turned them into items that could be used in Combat (bit of a "Cut and Shut") "RCEFS".  The Original 230 US Gallon Ferry tanks may be the same as those used on the Blackhawk, but I'm not sure. The RCEFS integrated seamlessly onto the UK Aircraft, fuelled from the single point coupling, and gave a few surprises to various people who thought they knew the endurance of an AH Mk1.

 

Reduced Size Crashworthy External Fuel System:

 

RCEFS