IMEX Apache... the saga continues

I'm building the Apache from Imex as well. Reading from some of your past posts on the model, I completely agree, the instructions are horrible. If I didn't have an Italeri AH-64A instruction sheet as well as the internet to quickly get reference photos, I would be completely lost. Also, the box art shows different side missles (my terminology sucks) than what's included in the kit. wtf is up with that? I was thinking about buying the Imex AH-64A, but that's a distant memory.

I didn't really have too much of a problem with getting the two fuselage halves together. Basically what I did was use a lot of Testors cement about 10 rubber bands. I went around and heavily glued one half, and then connected the other half. Then I tightly wrapped every rubber band I had handy around the thing. In the end, it turned out pretty nicely. I didn't have any problems with it coming apart.

Right now I have the primer on and tomorrow I will be putting on the main paint. As far as working out all the flaws in the kit, I'm afraid I'll go nuts before I finish it so I'm just moving right along.

BTW - I read your profile (in order to get to your past posts on the Imex kit) and read that you're on Army contract at Tech. Well, I'm in the Corps at A&M but I don't think I'll be going Air Force contract. Just thought I would mention this. ;)

Hawk,

Yeah, it has been an interesting build. Now that it is actually looking like an Apache, I'm less frustrated with it. It still has issues though. As for the wingtip missiles, the box shows AIM-9 Sidewinders, but it comes with AIM-92 Stingers. Either way, neither of them has been mounted in combat from what I've seen, so I'm not mounting them. The problem with that, is the kit gives you A model wings with the nav lights molded onto the wingtips. The D model has mounting lugs for the Sidewinder or Stinger rails. More work once again, but its a pretty easy conversion.

Send pics of your progress! I'd love to see how others are doing on this kit. I'm gonna try to post some here too, although every time I try to, it gets screwed up. I've primed my kit as well, although I have to go back and add on a few things (like the ECU vents on the aft ends of the Avionics bays). The cockpit is about 75% done right now. I've got to finish the pilot's control panel and weather the interior. Also have to add the throttles, since the kit's representation of them is pretty lame. If you want a good A model, get the Revell kit. It is light years ahead of the IMEX.

Yep, I'm at Tech. Got two more semesters here and then I'm out of cadet land and done with my PhD coursework. I guess I won't hold the fact that you're an Aggie against you too much. Seriously, good luck with the Apache and keep in touch!

I would love to post photos, but unfortunately I don't have a digital camera or webcam.

I have searched and searched as well and have never have seen the wing tip missles mounted either. I found a schematics drawing with them on, but not an actual photo. I will probably still mount them just for added effects. I'm not really building this to exact specs.

After comparing photos of the A and D, I see what you mean by the tips are different on the two helicopters. Just add that to all the other faults of the kit..

The kit looks like it'll turn out okay. I painted it today but unfortunately the paint job came out kind of coarse. I'm still getting use to my airbrush and I think I was spraying at too low of a pressure. Also, I didn't thin the paint any and just took it straight out of a spray can figuring it was already thinned enough. Anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this or avoid the coarse look in the future?

QUOTE: I painted it today but unfortunately the paint job came out kind of coarse. I'm still getting use to my airbrush and I think I was spraying at too low of a pressure. Also, I didn't thin the paint any and just took it straight out of a spray can figuring it was already thinned enough. Anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this or avoid the coarse look in the future?

You already stated your problem. Paint is too thick to spray straight out of the bottle or from a spray can as is. It must be thinned to spray through and airbrush. If it is too thick, it comes out in too large of droplets and dries that way on the model giving a course, bumpy appearance when dry. The correct consistency should be about that of milk., slightly thicker than water. Also, spray at about 25-30 psi. This will give you a smooth finish. Good luck in the future!

Thanks for the airbrushing tips, they helped and definately pretty much elminated the problems of coarseness I was having.

Kit accidents happen all the time and of course, one had to happen to me today. Like I've said before, I'm still becoming familiar with my Badger Anthem. Well, I had the 1/4 oz color cup hooked up and was painting fine. For some reason, I had the urge to jerk my hand and like half the paint in the cup spilled right onto the model. It sounds a lot worse than it looks. Initially, I didn't think it would be very easy easy to recover from the botched paint job, but I believe I'll be able to workout the spill.

QUOTE: Kit accidents happen all the time and of course, one had to happen to me today. Like I've said before, I'm still becoming familiar with my Badger Anthem. Well, I had the 1/4 oz color cup hooked up and was painting fine. For some reason, I had the urge to jerk my hand and like half the paint in the cup spilled right onto the model.

Lesson #2, never use the open paint cup. I learned this one in about the same manner as you did early on. Since then, I always use the closed bottle for paint. The open cup is useless, as far as I am concerned.

Glad the first set of tips helped you out and hope that the Apache comes out well.