1/48 Italeri AH-64D Longbow Apache 

 RSAF '061' 

by David Bey

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  Singapore National Day 2006 

 

I built this as a commission build for a friend. Initially, I wanted to use the Hasegawa kit as it was more accurate straight from the box, but after finding none in the city of Singapore, I had to settle with the next best, shape-wise, which was the Italeri kit. This was my second time attempting this kit, and I was not much better off. I had also intended to submit it for the Helo GB, but due to LITENING II pod works and lack of stencils, it was delayed.

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The cockpit in the Italeri kit represents an A model apache. D models are different in that there are 2 large MFDs for the CPG and the pilot. I attempted to scratchbuild the MFDs. I also junked a few pieces of the suggested cockpit, after viewing reference photos
 
RSAF birds also have a few other external differences: the laser warning receivers on the tail boom and just above the intakes; as well as a HF antenna on the tail boom. Furthermore, the italeri kit had incorrectly shaped fuel tanks, of which I attempted to correct. Alas, the grilles on the rear end of the fuel tank were not easy for me to replicate and I left them off.
 

The kit was then painted in standard US Army helo green, which to me was a mix of gunze 301, olive drab, black, and FS36118. Reference photos showed that under strong sunlight, the helo green looked more dark gray. Decals were a mix of custom decals done on an inkjet, and Hasegawa kit stencils which were VERY kindly provided to me by Andrew DeBoer.

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The pictures you see here were taken with a flash, hence the washing out of the helo green. I resolve also to only always build the Hasegawa apache from now on.
Happy 41st Birthday Singapore!
 
References:
  • RSAF AH-64D '058' @ Asian Aerospace 2006
David
 

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Photos and text © by David Bey