Apache - 1/32 Revell

[Skii]

Here is a project I've been experimenting with in the last week or so, this is the impressively sized Revell 1/32 kit, this kit is the early 'A' model, I think you can see where I'm going with this...

[Iain Ogilvie]

Brilliant - will be following this one!

Built it as a US Army bird when it first came out. IIRC needed a bit of filler - and some work on the engine exhaust areas - but was a nice kit.

Iain

[sweaty]

Looking forward to watching this one come together

Jamie

[Alan P]

but still

[HOUSTON]

Skii,,

WOW !!! I LOVE Apaches!!!

Cannot wit to see your magic on this ONE..

Houston

[James G]

I have a sneaky feeling that this will turn into another top quality build.......

[Mike]

I have a sneaky feeling that this will turn into another top quality build.......

Never doubted it for a second

[Skii]

Righty then, a further update.

I've finished the basic shape of both sponsons, ensuring both are a snug fit without having to make any alterations to the fuselage, I've left the bottom of them until after they are fitted and the fuselage closed up.

And this is how they look in place on the airframe, the starboard sponson needs a few more recesses cutting into it, as well as the half-moon plates fitted at the front ends to presumably mount the HIDAS equipment, also lots of scribing and mesh detail to be added

finally here was a fun little project - this is the kit M261 rocket pod with the rounded fairing at the front,

I sandwiched layers of plastic card together, then carefully drilled (not very carefully on the first attempt!!) the 19 holes , after this it was cemented in place to the kit pod and then dremelled down to the rounded shape.

It took two attempts, but here is the finished pod which I'm quite pleased with

[Smiffy]

Very smart.

Hope you're gonna mould 'n' cast.

[David W]

Very nicely done John!

I might have to copy that technique for my 1/48 version. Every time I look at it on the shelf I think it needs a single CRV7 rocket pod to finish the look.

David

[Alan P]

Very good! tidy solution to the sponsons and the rockets are very cleverly done.

So, when will the conversion set be available?

Al

[youngtiger1]

Skii,

That is looking nice. Just an idea, you should have somebody make masters of these and cast them. I know I'll buy few sets and I know many modelers in US will be all over this as well. Now, what marking will this bad boy will be in?

Mike

[Skii]

Cheers Mike - this will be a Westland WAH-64 apache

Some more updates

I've been working on upgrading the old Revell 'A' cockpit to the D version, I've scratched a replacement panel to fit over the kit panel for the pilot, and work on the gunner's panel is mid-way. Still to do the side panels and other pit features. Also replaced the kit 'cushions' with my own milliput versions, belts to be added later when I get more info on their fixing points.

Also I've removed the moulded-on upper and lower parts of the undercarriage shock absorbers from the kit sponsons, and added a centre section - re-inforced with thick wire (in fact 2 x 1mm drill bits!)

Finally I've 'upgraded' the kit 30mm M230 chain-gun by scratchbuilding a replacement muzzle-brake, motor and protective cage (not represented in the kit)

The ammo chute is going to be a challenge, but I've got some ideas

[Mike]

Those scratch built bits look nice John... very smart

[Damocles]

Hi Skii

Excellent work. I may have the ammo chute sections from the Eduard set, looking a good home (FOC). If you would like them, you are more than welcome.

Chris.

[shark 64]

WOW! Great work. One to watch for sure. Awesome cockpit work.

Oliver

[Smiffy]

NOICE.

[Skii]

A bit further on with the cockpit now, I still have the gunner's sights to do, as well as seatbelts, control columns and the circuit-breakers behind the pilots bulkhead but the cockpit is certainly getting there

[Darth Vader]

Nice , very nice

[Pilgrim_UK]

Ingenious idea on the rocket pods. Some top notch scratch building. Looking good.

[Honza K.]

Very cool scratch!!!

[Nobby]

Got to agree with every body! I'm well impressed!

[HOUSTON]

IMPRESSIVE work Skii,

This turning out to be very good..

Houston

[spike7451]

Cheers Mike - this will be a Westland WAH-64 apache

Some more update

I've been working on upgrading the old Revell 'A' cockpit to the D version, I've scratched a replacement panel to fit over the kit panel for the pilot, and work on the gunner's panel is mid-way. Still to do the side panels and other pit features. Also replaced the kit 'cushions' with my own milliput versions, belts to be added later when I get more info on their fixing points.

Also I've removed the moulded-on upper and lower parts of the undercarriage shock absorbers from the kit sponsons, and added a centre section - re-inforced with thick wire (in fact 2 x 1mm drill bits!)

Finally I've 'upgraded' the kit 30mm M230 chain-gun by scratchbuilding a replacement muzzle-brake, motor and protective cage (not represented in the kit)

The ammo chute is going to be a challenge, but I've got some ideas

Looking good John!!!

John,how about this to make the ammo chute;

Cut & glue short sections of the copper core you find in that stiff,gray electrical cable side to side.File one end flat & the other pointy to represent the ammo.

Make up an oblong hollow box as a single piece using stock sheet then cut into thin lengths,this becomes the ammo cage links.Then glue each of the cage links to a long thin bit of stock at the narrow point.Fit the ammo you made previously into the chute & affix.

[Skii]

Thanks guys

Hey Merv

Nice illustrations matey

Actually the ammo feed is more or less sorted as Chris_Babes sent me some spare Eduard photo etch designed for the Imex/Kangnam 1/35 kit, however I'm planning on using the same technique as your drawings for a stick of 30mm which will be shown loaded into the starboard sponson