1/48 Hasegawa AH-64D Apache Longbow - AZ Assassin

Gallery Article by Michael Phillips on Oct 23 2019

 

      

Back with another completed project, the 1/48 Hasegawa AH-64D Apache Longbow of the 1-285 Aviation Battalion, Arizona Army National Guard (ARNG) stationed at Marana, Arizona, from it's 2006 deployment to Afghanistan. The subject I chose is from Charlie Company, known as the "Lobos". 

The Hasegawa kit is very nice, but being that I am not as familiar with building Helos this one took a lot longer than most of my builds. So many dangly bits and protrusions! I added the Metallic Details Longbow radar and Aires Cockpit. The Aires cockpit actually fits very nice and looks fantastic, but with the enclosed cockpit it really can't be seen, so if I were to do it again I would probably skip this. I also used the Master Model chain gun barrel and antenna set, which is very nice, and the one aftermarket set I would definitely use again, as it makes a huge difference. 

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The decals are a combination of kit decals and the TwoBobs IPMS 2010 sheet. I had some issues with the black line decals of the kit sheet, but the TwoBobs sheet went on nicely. This was my first use of TwoBobs Decals, and am happy with how they performed. 

I did not attempt to droop the rotors, because I once tried that on a previous build and it did not go well. Maybe next time I will try again, I got some good tips on Scalemates during my WIP that I will try in the future. 

Overall I am very happy with this build, and I am beginning to realize, for me, Helos are hard! I am much better at my pointy fast planes and can work with them much more quickly and efficiently. 

Kit: 1/48 Hasegawa AH-64D Apache Longbow 07223 (PT23) 

Decals: TwoBobs 2010 IPMS National Convention Sheet 

Aftermarket: Aires Cockpit, Metallic Details Longbow Radar, Master Model Gun Barrel and Antenna 

Paints: Gunze Mr. Surfacer 1200 (primer base), Mr Paint MRP-174 Helo Drab, Tamiya Rubber Black, Clear Red, Clear Blue, Clear Yellow, and Smoke, and Alclad II Gloss Black Primer and Airframe Aluminum. Future Gloss coat for decals and Future+Tamiya XF-21 Flat Base 6:1 ratio for final matte coat. Mig Ammo Deep Brown and Medium Gray panel wash. 

Michael Phillips

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Photos and text © by Michael Phillips