MONOGRAM 1/48 APACHE HELICOPTER

The exterior color on the Apache is much darker than standard Olive Drab. If you can get it, Model Master makes the right exterior color, FS 34031 Army Helo Drab. I believe Helo Drab is also available through Xtracolor, though I have not seen it in person and cannot vouch for its accuracy.

Cheers,
Albert

PS-Cockpit color for the Apache is overall flat black.

Snoopy,

Albert's right. Army Helo Drab is the correct color. It's almost black. For the interior, you want a really dark grey, almost black. The seat cushions are either OD or black. Sadly, Apaches aren't very colorful. Very few have nose art on them and very few even have tactical identifying markings.

The kit itself is a very nice, if a bit outdated representation of the AH-64A. It is simply scaled down from the Revell 1/32 kit IIRC. Enjoy!

Thanks Cobrahistorian and Albert. I am not real worried about the lack of nose art or color. I love helicopters period. I was just wondering what the colors were so I can find a suitable match with Tamiya colors. I would use Model Masters but the thinner and lacquer vapors could bother my infant daughter. I use my spray booth but the house still fills with the smell. With Tamiya paints, thinner is alcohol and water/alcohol clean up is pretty good for going right out through the spray booth. Again thanks for your help. Some day I will break down and get a digi-camera to take pictures.

Scott

mix two parts od to one part black, should give you the right color
John
helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission

QUOTE: Originally posted by SNOOPY Thanks Cobrahistorian and Albert. I am not real worried about the lack of nose art or color. I love helicopters period. I was just wondering what the colors were so I can find a suitable match with Tamiya colors. I would use Model Masters but the thinner and lacquer vapors could bother my infant daughter. I use my spray booth but the house still fills with the smell. With Tamiya paints, thinner is alcohol and water/alcohol clean up is pretty good for going right out through the spray booth. Again thanks for your help. Some day I will break down and get a digi-camera to take pictures. Scott

Hi Scott,
Helo Drab is also available in Model Master's acrylic line (Acryl). Most online hobby shops carry MM's Acryl line. Otherwise, here is a site that has a color sample for Helo Drab which may assist in matching up an approximate Tamiya mixture;

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorserver/showcolor.asp?fs=34031

HTH,
Albert

[Helo Drab is also available in Model Master's acrylic line (Acryl). Most online hobby shops carry MM's Acryl line. Otherwise, here is a site that has a color sample for Helo Drab which may assist in matching up an approximate Tamiya mixture]

Albert, I have not tried Model Master Acrylic yet. Is it any good? Is it like the first acrylics they had a few years ago before removing it from the shelf? I had some years ago and it would clog up the aircap before all my painting is done. I just have not tried the newer stuff Testors came out with or the Boyds line of acrylic by Testors. Curious about how they compare to Tamiyas.

Scott

I had trouble with the Testor's acrylic's seem to always clog my needle, prefer Tamiya acrylic's or Testor's enamals.
John
helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission

QUOTE: Originally posted by SNOOPY Albert, I have not tried Model Master Acrylic yet. Is it any good? Is it like the first acrylics they had a few years ago before removing it from the shelf? I had some years ago and it would clog up the aircap before all my painting is done. I just have not tried the newer stuff Testors came out with or the Boyds line of acrylic by Testors. Curious about how they compare to Tamiyas. Scott

Hi Scott,
Model Master's Acryl line is the newer formula. It thins a lot better and atomizes finer than the first line of acrylics they made. I'd say Tamiya still applies nicer, but the Acryls aren't bad either. Here are some models that I painted with Acryl finishes;







Cheers,
Albert

TAMIYA has a color named black green...I never been close to a Apache, but it seems to be very close to the real thing.

Black green is close, but a little too green for Army helos. However, with a bit of brown added, it'd probably be a dead ringer for it.

Hi Cobrahistorian!
You seem to be an helo expert, so I will use the opportunity and question what do you think about the Academy 1/48 AH-64D Longbow...I know the cockpit is wrong (feature tha analog panels instead of the digital ones)...Beside that what do you think?

MHsuzuki,

I haven't built their Longbow kit, but the A Model is pretty good. I've looked over the Longbow, though and if I remember correctly, the aft ends of the avionics bays are completely incorrect for a production D model. The only company that's gotten it right is Hasegawa so far, and even they have omitted a great deal of external detail. I did like the fact that the kit includes all of the cable cutters and wire strike supports, though. That is a major plus over the Monogram kit.

You're right on the cockpit too.... that frustrated the heck outta me with the 35th scale Kangnam kit. They obviously just speculated and didn't do the research to see what it really looks like.

Overall the A model builds to a nice kit (I've just built one for a buddy of mine who flew em in Afghanistan) and with a little effort you can make it pretty accurate. The Longbow model (oh, and not the "AH-64A MSIP" kit, that's just an A model with a radome) of course with some work, should build up pretty well, but if I had a choice, I'd go with the Hasegawa kit.

Thanks for the explanation!
I received the Academy kit as a gift...Maybe I should try to assembly it as an "A" model and buy the Hasegawa "D" in the future...Let's see...

Hmmm.... assembling it as an A model might be a little difficult, unless it comes with the correct A model avionics bays. The D model comes with the enlarged bays, but the aft ends are incorrect. You may have an easier time modifying the aft end of the bay to look like this:



Hope that helps!

Cobrahistorian, do you know of a good book covering Apache helos?
I can find a lot of pictures on the net but sometimes it is difficult to identify of which model it belongs...
I am sorry for the curiosity, but how do you know everything about helicopters?

LOL...

Actually I do know a good book on the Apache, it just isn't finished yet! In all seriousness, there are a few good books out on the A model Apache, but there is a desperate need for a new book that covers both models. I'm writing one for Osprey right now that deals with the Apache in Afghanistan and Iraq. It should be out in about six months if all goes well.

As to how I know this stuff, well... I got into military history when I was 3 years old and my grandfather pulled out his footlocker full of stuff. I was hooked from that moment. He was an infantry officer in WWII, but aviation came naturally to me. I've studied it all my life (I'm 31 now). I'm finishing my PhD in military history and will be commissioning as an Aviation officer (fingers crossed on that one!) in July. If all goes well, I should be flying Apaches by Spring 2006.

My advice, read as much as you can, talk to people, go to airshows and take LOTS of pictures. Get your hands on manuals if you can. (I've got a full set of AH-64A manuals, and believe me they're great for modelling!)

I don't know everything about helicopters, not by a long shot. But I try to absorb whatever new info I can. This forum is full of guys who have infinitely more experience and knowledge than I do. You're in the right place, just sit back, relax, absorb the info and don't stop askin questions!

Here in Brazil is not that easy to find good references because the market isn't big as in the US...You know law of the offer and demand...LOL
Sometimes I am a little embarassed for questioning everything...I am a member since 2002 but I was only reading until know...
So you will become a helicopter pilot very soon...Hope you can make your dream come true!
Well, well, well...Now I know I am "talking" with a success writer...Maybe I can buy your book with an autograph! LOL...
Good luck on your plans!