AH-64 Apache 1/32 Scale

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone,

 

I participated in my first ever Group Build this year in the 'Salty Sea Dog' competition with my submission Bismarck Evolution.  Having enjoyed it so much I then looked for other events to take part in and the ‘Not My Comfort Zone’ event popped up and intrigued me.  So here I am.   

 

Helicopters

I don’t build them.  Not as a rule anyway.  When I asked to join this event I could not honestly remember having ever successfully built one.  I then remembered I built a Huey Cobra when I was around eleven but would hardly call it a success, with vague memories of all silver pilots painted with a dried out paint  brush.  The result was dreadful.  I also remember starting and ruining a Sea King as a teenager. So less than an auspicious beginning. To add insult to injury I seldom build in 1/32 scale.

 

The challenge I have set for myself in this competition is to build a Revell 1/32 scale AH-64 Apache.

 

About a year ago I purchased this model from my local hobby shop, not out of any great desire to build it, but because it was cheap, 25 Canadian dollars, and it was big. As an attack helicopter the Apache has a fearsome reputation but by God is it ugly.  While I can appreciate the menacing hulk of a Mil-24/35 Hind or the long sleek lines of a Huey Cobra the Apache has little going for it aesthetically.  To me with its bulging cockpit and dangling 30mm cannon the machine looks like the unlikely by-product of a one night stand between a Wasp and a Praying Mantis. The kit molded in the 1980’s has raised panel lines and thick plastic that is as hard as granite.  That said it also has a surprising amount of detail an impression you would never get from looking at the pictures on the box. However, once purchased it sat as I had no desire to build it. Till now.

 

The Plan

One of the many aspects I like about modelling is the research into a project and deciding what to do. What surprised me about the Apache is the number of nations that use it including Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel and Greece among others.  In the end, I have opted for two paint schemes split along the length of the aircraft.  On one side will be the typical dark olive paint scheme used by the U.S. Army.  On the reverse I want to go with the three colour Tiger Stripe type paint scheme used by the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. 

I think I have my work cut out for me on this one.  So enough of the exposition please find enclosed some photos of the kit and my initial efforts. I hope to update the thread weekly and promise subsequent entries will be shorter.  All comments and suggestions are welcome.

 

Kindest Regards,

Tomcat101  

 

The 'Birds of Prey' box art didn't really do it for me.  

 

 

 

The kit is reasonably well detailed given its age. 

 

 

 

 

 

Thick plastic!

 

 

Cutting out panels - this took some work. 

 

 

          

Scratch building interior panels. 

 

[TonyW]

Welcome to the party.

 

I like the split scheme idea. It's almost two builds in one.

I think it was Enzo Ferrari who told a customer who complained about his car being different side to side, " You can only see one side at a time"

 

Tony.

[Tomcat101]

14 hours ago, TonyW said:

Welcome to the party.

 

I like the split scheme idea. It's almost two builds in one.

I think it was Enzo Ferrari who told a customer who complained about his car being different side to side, " You can only see one side at a time"

 

Tony.

Thanks.  Do you have an entry in the GB? I hope my build will turn out.  Previously I have built a cut away 1/48 scale Mirage III with Israeli markings on one side and South African on the other.  Funny you mentioned 'Ferrari'  two of the louvered pieces in the last photo above came from a 1/35 scale Ferrari Testerossa I bought for spare parts.    

[TonyW]

 Thanks,

I'm in the GB with a 1940's wooden kit, and if I get that one done, I'll add another .

 

Tony.

[AdrianMF]

What a great entry - plenty of discomfort factors there!

 

I like the idea of using one model to tell a show a set of different aspects, and your Bismark build in the SSDGB was epic.

 

Looking forward to this build and thanks for joining in.

 

Regards,

Adrian

[AlxBNE]

Another perfect example of why I am enjoying this group build so much.

I am a fan of helicopter models but there are several discomfort factors here for me.

This is a BIG kit, so much potential for detail......but how far do you go?

As a helicopter fan I must admit I know almost nothing about the AH-64.

I wouldn't know where to start but you look like you have started well.

I love the use Ferrari Testerossa spare parts to detail a helicopter.

I shall follow along with interest.

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone,

 

My apologies for the delayed update. My work took precedence over the past few weeks and now I am trying to catch up.

 

Thus far this kit has been a weird experience. One moment I am thoroughly unimpressed with my progress and the next I feel as though it’s coming together.  Additionally I am trying to get over my intimidation of building a helicopter by just thinking of it as an aircraft with stubby wings (like an F-104 Starfighter).

 

Thus far my efforts have concentrated on completing the remaining main fuselage cut outs and adding in the inserts. The inserts are equal measure research and artistic licence but they do add a little detail.

 

This past weekend I have also spent a lot of time on the cockpit.  When I started it seemed like this cavernous and extremely dull plastic tub.  I have been building it up in layers to enhance it adding seatbelt harnesses and buckles.  I also added cabling and wiring to the tub floor.  From there parts received either a wash, pastel powders and or dry brushing.  I used to enjoy cockpits but since my eyes are going I can’t seem to get the detail I once did. 

 

The last area I worked on was the base of the rotors.  The initial details were minimal at best.  I know the vast majority will be invisible but I could not leave it as is.  Additional parts were provided courtesy of a 1/35 scale Ferrari Testarossa. 

 

I will try to be more regular with my posts going forward.  All thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

 

Regards,

Tomcat101     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

[AlxBNE]

Failing eyesight or not that cockpit looks great.

It is just an aircraft afterall..... Just has crazy wings that spin.

[81-er]

That cockpit looks very good to me too, with plenty of added detail 

 

James

[NFR]

Keen to see the progress on this. Looking good so far.

[AdrianMF]

Nice cockpit. The dark plastic must make it more difficult to work on.

 

Regards,

Adrian

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone,

 

Effort continues on the AH-64 Apache this week, albeit slowly.  For this week’s photos the weapons have largely been built but will still need plenty of filler and sanding to be acceptable.  I doubt I will use the AIM-9 Sidewinders but built them just in case.  For the wheel fairings I cut through the brittle plastic to detach panels and began adding a shelf and adding black boxes and wiring.  Plenty of work remains but it’s a start.  My primary focus for the week has been the engine pods.  I first cut away the panels, an upper on one engine and the lower on the other.   From there I scratch built two jet engines. The parts are primarily from a Ferrari Testarossa. I split the engine block across the top and adding extra automotive parts for detail.  The mesh at the back of the nacelles was from a 1/35 scale Abrams tank and the engine exhausts from a 1/48 scale F-4 Phantom.  I then began adding wiring but more details and weathering still needs to be added.

 

Till next week.  All comments and suggestions welcome.

 

Regards,

Tomcat101   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone, 

 

Well I am a little tardy this week but I have made some progress.  I feel as though my model is finally coming together.  I installed the cockpit, finished the wheel fairings and engine nacelles.  I then scratch built and weathered the area along the fuselage spine including the transmission shaft, pumps and wiring etc. all of which is more representative than 100 percent accurate.  This portion came together surprising well and with much less fuss than I anticipated.  Also based on some photo research I scratch build and added a sensor pod to each wing tip. That said I still think some additional details need to be added.  Once done I then glued the fuselage sides together and added the aforementioned components. 

 

At this point I think it’s finally beginning to look like a helicopter.  An ugly helicopter (though it’s growing on me) but a helicopter nonetheless. I had my doubts it would ever get there. 

 

Next steps are to putty, sand and fill all remaining gaps.  I also need to add more detail throughout and prepare for paint.   

 

As always all comments and suggestions are welcome and thank you to everyone who took a look.

 

Regards,

Tomcat101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr T]

.. It's looking pretty impressive. There is something of the insect in watching an Apache in flight. I recall seeing one at Waddington, and it's display was watching a dragonfly. 

[81-er]

That's looking pretty good to me! All the added detail really elevates it to the next level

 

James

[AdrianMF]

It certainly is coming together and it looks very impressive with all the extra detailing. 
 

That centre seam line might take a bit of work

 

Regards,

Adrian

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone,

 

Well another week’s gone by and some additional progress has been made on the AH-64 Apache.  This week the focus has been on adding additional detail throughout the fuselage. I have also spent time on filling gaps and working on the rotor hub.  My intent is to fix all four rotor blades aft for stowage.  As a result I have broken the hub into a centre and four extensions.  I have then reattached two of the extensions in an elevated position and the other two in a depressed condition so that the blades can overlap. At least that is the idea (fingers crossed). Still plenty of work to go.  I have also begun with painting the exterior.  Early days yet but it is looking more and more like the objective.  Till next week.

 

All comments and suggestions are welcome. And thank you again to all who comment and view the project.  It is appreciated. 

 

Regards,

Tomcat101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[81-er]

That's looking very nice

 

James

[AdrianMF]

I had forgotten the split colour scheme! Looking forward to this.

 

Regards,

Adrian

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone,

 

The focus on the AH-64 Apache this week has been exterior paint.  For the US Army olive green scheme I have begun beating it up some using a darker hand mixed green paint and applying it roughly to the fuselage which created a sort of inexact mottled effect.  The intent is to continue building on this using both light and dark colours before applying washes and powders.

For the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) version it was hand mixing colours to match those of its tiger stripe style camouflage.  Once I completed mixing, I then applied the emerald green colour followed by the dark green/black hue. 

 

I then began painting add-on components including access doors and panels, unguided rocket pods, a fuel tank and for the US Army version skis.  Having seen several Apaches outfitted this way I scratch built the front ski and half of the rear ski as I do not intend to include it on the Japanese version.

Till next time.  Thank you again to all who view and comment.  I appreciate it.

 

Regards,

Tomcat101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AdrianMF]

Shaping up very nicely in your chosen colour scheme(s)

 

Regards,

Adrian

[81-er]

That's looking good, I really like the twin schemes

 

James

[Ray S]

This is going very well @Tomcat101. There was plenty of uncomfortable-ness promised, and you have delivered brilliantly. I love the upgrades you have done for it, and raised it to another level. I like the twin schemes too.

 

All the best, Ray

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am finding this build a little strange. It’s like a black hole where hours go in at a prodigious rate without generating a visible result. Its paint touch up, repeat and repeat again.  The life of a modeler I suppose.

 

This week the primary focus has been the rotor blade assembly.  I decided early on in the build that I wanted the rotor blades pointing aft in a stowage position.  I thought it would create an interesting look while also reducing the model’s footprint. This involved snapping the blades and rotor hub assembly in multiple positions so that I could overlap the blades.  Truth be told it went far better than I anticipated, it just took a lot of time. 

 

I glued in the frontages to the engine nacelles and added in the four practice Hellfire missile rounds to one of the inboard weapons stations. I also finished beating up the U.S. Army green scheme and did some general clean-up on the paint schemes. 

 

Photos attached. I promise a lot of work went into the kit looking nearly the same as it did last week.  I hope next week the progress will be more discernable.  My intention is to finish the remaining weapons stations and attach the rotor assembly. As always, thanks again for the comments and suggestions.  I appreciate it.

 

Kindest Regards,

Tomcat101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

[81-er]

They always say the last 20% takes 80% of the time. Your efforts have been worth it, it's becoming a very nice model

 

James