Viper 02 - AH-64D Apache, 1-3 ATKHB B Company "Warlords", Iraq 2003 ,OIF
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OOB Cockpit, just applied a fabric texture to the seat cushions
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I was working with a lot of different dark grays on different surfaces since its just all black. Looked great in clean state - Then came the dust and all my careful shading was gone ... thats how it goes ?
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Very nicely detailed construction, most of it will hardly be visible though. The instructions required a lot of imagination and test fitting in this section...in other words didnt help much
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taking shape
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already looks quite menacing. So far really impressed by this kit 👍
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The inbox PE on the heat shrouds adds some fine detail
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and the fit of those is really good, this is just a dryfit of the engine "box"
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The Canopy parts require extra attention, they are designed with zero tolerance and need to be assembled super clean, especially with the interior glass part behind the front seat. This will be displayed open so both "entry windows" are not glued permanently
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Nice detail, but a lot of wires will be needed- painted in the beige interior color there, used RLM02 with some yellow
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I like how the included PE is employed really smart in this kit 👍
As well visbible on the top left: the (so far) only part without tamiya-like fit, nothing serious as you can see. So far no problem in saving those precious raised rivets
As well visbible on the top left: the (so far) only part without tamiya-like fit, nothing serious as you can see. So far no problem in saving those precious raised rivets
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they also didnt forget the "trim tabs" at the end of the stab, very nice.
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the T700 under construction, fit and detail are lightyears ahead compared to what I experienced with Kitty hawks MH-60 engine - but still needs some extra plumbing+cables. I will leave this side open.
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vallejo black surface primer
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mottled with AK RC290
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One of the perks of using black base mottling is that it automatically highlights raised rivets through overspray
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I like the patchy look, so I am starting with a bleached color...
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Looking like this, its AK RC229 helo drab with a lot of RC265 rlm02
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compared with pure RC229 on resprayed areas
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Sharky says hello!
Might blend it a bit more... I also noticed another coincidental sharkface in the background, wouldnt want to mess with either one in RL...
Might blend it a bit more... I also noticed another coincidental sharkface in the background, wouldnt want to mess with either one in RL...
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All decals now sealed under semi gloss GX 114 ( <recommended, probably smoothest semi gloss you can find) and also sort of a wash aplied trying to keep it random.
With nearly black oil wash mix, some brown added as well. Didnt wipe it (rivets!) but blended it with a soft brush+white spirit. In the End I am very happy to have taken my time with each decal, nearly all rivet silvering has been countered.
With nearly black oil wash mix, some brown added as well. Didnt wipe it (rivets!) but blended it with a soft brush+white spirit. In the End I am very happy to have taken my time with each decal, nearly all rivet silvering has been countered.
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Used different kinds of cables to keep it more chaotic+irregular
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Very happy to have finished that, not my favourite kind of work...
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The Gun OOB - pretty good! some wash/dirt still needed
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finished rotörhead
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again nicely detailed, just 8 wires added
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Commenti
136 19 March 2023, 16:55
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Btw, styrene rods are nice for replacing round parts if you want to consider that, that way you don't have to deal with flash. Finding the 100% correct Ø styrene rod might not be possible, but ususally I find something that works ok.
27 March 2023, 09:32
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Welcome mates! Was a bit lazy with the progress pics but will update soon. Huge recommendation for the kit btw, really accurate+enjoyable
7 April 2023, 23:11
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Thanks guys for stopping by, some porgress was made. Still no big issues I can share, builds quite uneventful - in a good way 🙂
13 April 2023, 21:47
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primer down . only some cheeky mould lines appeared, the rest is ok
Next up: mottle mottle mottle
21 April 2023, 19:48
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and mottle
you have already started on an exhaust
why is it not assembled like the other?
22 April 2023, 08:19
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@Juskifo
Leaving the engines off might not be the worst idea! I guess because of the wing stubs, it might make it difficult to freely mottle/spray the underneath? Also could help prevent the 'blowback' of paint particles that can happen when you spray in tight corners... And I guess if the fit is snug, then attaching them later is no problem.
23 April 2023, 18:06
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The big assembly primed black, the Parmigiano cheese wheel up & solid - looking for the fun to begin!! 😉
24 April 2023, 10:53
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Yep, stephen is correct, its mainly for handling and the fit is so good that I can attach the box later without problems. I Installed the right engine as I need to preserve the interior color (open engine) and using it as a "mask" if you will.
Going now from the Parmegiano to the Gorgonzola - I mottled the whole thing with RAF Sky
24 April 2023, 17:35
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Thx dear mates, glad you like the apatchy 🙂
I went over it with several shades and then sealed in gloss.
I am now decaling, started with the soft stuff, went quickly up to the heavy hitter: mark fit super strong. Now they bow to my will😬
3 May 2023, 09:01
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So a little heads up in between: raised rivets and super rigid decals are no good match. So if you plan on building this kit, also plan for Aftermarket decals as the inbox ones just hate you and you start to hate them...moved on to X-20A instead of ordinary decal softener, the lacquer paint starts to peel but the decals still just laugh in my face and give me the finger...😵
4 May 2023, 13:57
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Ah, that is disappointing to hear. I've just started building mine and getting ready to paint the cockpit - I'm really hoping aftermarket decals are released soon. And hoping they include things like the 'Do Not Grab' markings for the cockpit.
11 May 2023, 08:37
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Yeah, disappointing is also that the stencil application leaves you in a bit of a head-scratching as they mixed up a lot of the numbers in the instruction, left some out, called out for more than they provided on other parts and so on... You need very good reference photos and work along these if you want to stay true to the original. Instructions are really the weakest part of this kit.
But it seems that a lot of stencils are also oversprayed on the original over the time, so you have a valid excuse if you do the worn down patchy style 😉
Oh thats right, AM decal situation is difficult, I thought there would be some out there for the academy apache -but nope.
SO if you work with the box decals my experience is that your first requisite to get them soft is really hot water. I made it so hot that you want to pull your finger out after 1 second 🙂 But that helped.
(I have a high power coffee mug heater pad and a stainless steel cup)
Then I pre-trimmed them, as they all come in big rectangluar pieces. The less rivets you have to cover the better. Then I applied some mark fit super strong on the location, put the decal on it with tweezers and let it sit for some minutes. (Theres no wrinkling at all) I use a soft but sturdy synthetic brush to dab it into its place, removing the excess mark fit in the process. Then covered it carefully with more MF super strong, some minutes rest and then a solid roll over with a Qtip pressing it down into the structure, removing the liquid. Then carefully cover it with X-22A, as the last stage dab it down again with the brush, maybe another Qtip
The decal never gets wrinkly or sticky, its indestrucable. Only thing that suffers is the paint below and around (AK RC with GX 112 over it in my case) But I can repair/explain it with the patchy look.
So thats what I did the last days, going to put the semi gloss coat on now and update some pics later 🙂
13 May 2023, 11:51
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I could not agree more on the instructions. They are atrociously bad. The section on the transmission was bewildering. So hard to get angles right.
Also think I've noticed the first real accuracy issue - the PNVS appears to be from the AH-64A, not the -D. Certainly every -D Apache in my Wings and Wheels reference book has a completely different PNVS. Looks like we'll need an aftermarket set for that as well.
14 May 2023, 20:44
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Thanks Chan! Naah, I wouldnt say almost...I am saving the avionics bay, engine compartment and rotor head for later 😅
@Stephen:
According to my reference books they updated the PNVS after 2005, so for the depicted OEF/OIF versions the old school PNVS is correct.
They also added the upgraded PNVS in their E-Kit. Question is if you can also build a post-2005-D-Apache out of the E kit or if you would need to buy both 🤔
14 May 2023, 21:16
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I guess that's the reason! A bit frustrating they didn't include it in the -D kit as well. I'd assume the cockpit parts are different between the -E and -D kits, so you'd need both as it stands. Hopefully it's in the Saraf kit as I plan to build that afterwards.
14 May 2023, 21:30
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C'mon, admit you took a pic of your room & photoshoped in a real Apache! 😉
On a serious note - even with my sluggish building pace I had all kond of decal-issues, appears that manufacturer, model surface and decal age can mix a furmula which always works a bit different... 🙂
This looks great so far, totally looking forward to the next stage & finish!
15 May 2023, 05:41
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Next Stage reached!
Thanks a lot Slavo, true, I mainly trust cartograf, the rest is always a more or less pleasant surprise 😉 Need to test these peel-off-eduard decals as well one day, they look pretty awesome 👍
@Stephen: Cool, didnt expect the other versions this quickly when I preordered...otherwise I might have switched to the Saraf, such a cool Apache version. Maybe if I make room.... 🙂
17 May 2023, 18:41
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Thanks a lot Alexander, yep, slow but steady progress.
This time the open avionics bay. I also worked on the weathering.
22 May 2023, 13:09
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Wow, indeed impressive - this model becomes better with every single picute! 👍
22 May 2023, 23:17
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Excellent job so far. Love the details and paintjob on thise cables in pic 23. Lots of work, but certainly paid off
23 May 2023, 10:31
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Thank you mates for your very nice comments+likes! 🙏🏻Great motivation for the next hill climb being the engine compartment🙂
25 May 2023, 08:51
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excelent kit , and excelent painting 👌👌, they published Saraf too , we are waiting for idf vesion dude 😍
14 July 2023, 17:29
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Hey mates, its finished!! Sry for not updating the build, but this was all stop and go - I needed to save every precious free second for building not for photo stuff 😉
Anyway, it was a true pleasure to build this amazing kit and I am happy with the result. My first weathering on dark green, so I learned a lot about that on the way. Still prefer gray 🙂
I will also build a simple desert airfield diorama with some busy GIs. For now I borrowed a 1/48 base for some photos, hope you enjoy.
Thanks again for stopping by and your kind words+likes! 🙏🏻
19 August 2023, 15:27
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Amazing result Daniel, truly awesome weathering! 👍👍
WIP pics would have been nice, but we are satisfied with the end result as well 😉
19 August 2023, 16:44
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Fantastic end result! I think it's hard to do an Apache/this colour of camo and not have it look like a brand new toy... but you've achieved it!
Out of interest - did you modify the cockpit in any way to accommodate the carbines? A little disappointed they weren't included in the kit. Pretty standard on combat missions.
20 August 2023, 22:16
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Thanks a lot Stephen! Yeah, I really tried to avoid the toylike and move towards the used look 🙂 Some spent ordnance, some open hatches helped a lot in that in addition to the patchy paint job.
I was also a bit disappointed in the missing M4s and scratched the gun rack from sheet. But did not need to modify the cockpit itsself, only dry fit and adjust the rack.
Now I found out they will offer some extra stuff in their block II version: AH-64D Block II Late Version (Takom 2608, 1:35)
Would have loved some pilots for mine as well!
21 August 2023, 10:08
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Yeah, you have to buy about 4 Apache kits to get everything combined, smart job from Takom. You don't have to email Takom for extra sprues because they totally neglect every email 😬
21 August 2023, 13:58
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I think you should go for the late version - and round it out with the other editions. That way, you can do a modern diorama of Apocalypse Now. Make sure you have it play the Ride of the Valkyries as well! 😍
21 August 2023, 14:25
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Yeah, the Block II comes with resin cockpit parts+equipment, 2 pilots and rotor fold parts for the same price as the "normal" D... all you need...sometimes it's better to wait.🙈
Also I am sure there will be more AM for this kit series after some time.
23 August 2023, 09:36
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Thank you very much!
@michael: exactly, I saw their screenshots and wanted to give them my money. Still dont regret it 🙂
28 August 2023, 17:00
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Holy Jehovafats!!!! This is an awesome build! I like weathering very much.
29 August 2023, 16:46
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Thank you very much Dave and Michael! Workhorse is what I had in mind, great you like it 🙂
1 September 2023, 07:53
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Looking outstanding. The paintjob is on point and the wirering is perfect.
18 February, 19:51