Apache D for identification

Andy,

Looks like a 1-3 Avn bird.  I wish the photographer had gotten a clearer shot that showed the tail number under the windows.  Nice bird!

Now THAT'S a shark's mouth!

It does look cool.  Looks like an aligator mouth/snout to me.  There is a set for Twobobs or Fireball to do up.

Unfortunatly this was the only one pic I found of this bird... The Two Bob decals would be awesome! but I dont realy think it will ever happen ((

So PLS guys if by any chance you'll see somewhere any info on this bird....shoot me an PM or e-mail or anything))))))

Thanks !!!

Andy

Nope, those are definately shark teeth, and some of the best I've ever seen drawn on an aircraft. I've collected enough fossils from Daniel Island, SC to tell. Crocodilian teeth are conical in shape to hold it's prey while the croc/gator drowns it. Most species of sharks' teeth are flat (sometime faceted like the ones shown above) and razor-like to slice thru their meals (I'm not including Whale Sharks and Basking Sharks here since they feed like whales). As a result of the different  ways they feed, while a shark attack is the more likely of the two, a gator attack is twice as likely to be fatal.

But Gino's still made a good point and it's one I never thought of before - the front end of the Apache does look like a gator; the PNVS kinda takes the shape of a gator's nostrils now that I think of it.

It would make a lot more sense to wear gator mouths on Apaches since they have quite a bit in common:

Alligators & AH-64:
Let's face it, they're both ugly. Dark Gray/Green, bumpy finish to blend in with the surrounding terrain. No need to have the most hydrodynamic/aerodynamic shape. Both are at the top of the food chain in their native environments.

Sharks & Fighters:
Both have smooth, streamlined shapes and gray or blue/gray finishes. Dark up top, light underneath. They both can move pretty fast and are at the top of the food chains in their native environments.

Alligators & AH-64:
Can attack either on the move or from a "hover." While ungainly looking, both can surprise you with a good sprint. Preferred tactic of both is to attack from a "hover."

Sharks & Fighters:
Both have to constantly move forward to stay alive/in the air and the preferred tactic of both is to attack from the prey's blind spot.

Crikey!

Now, as far as producing decals goes... well Jon knows who I'll suggest

))))))))) Very nice compartion Trigger!!! 100% agree with you.

About the pic:

I guess it all depends just on one little thing that is missing on the nose of this bird. Check this out ))))

 

See what I mean? You put an eye closer to the front - it makes a shark look. You leave a canopy to "represent" the eye - it looks like aligator)))))) at least for me)))))

 

Andy 

Good analogies by both Andy and Grant.  The eye definitely helps out. 

 

Being that I am from Florida and am a graduate of the University of Florida, the Gators.... I like to think of it as a Gator!!

 

My bet would be on Fireball for the decals as well!!

Joe Osborne, are you out there?

It is a 1-3 aircraft, as Cobrahistorian guessed.  I don't have the tail number, though.  When you see it up close, it definitely looks like the artist was going for an alligator look.  Pretty good airbrush work, too.

It's very cool, but a little more conspicuous than I prefer for a combat zone.  I wouldn't mind having my wingman flying something like it, though. 

Wow! Now we are a little closer to solution )))) Thanks for the pic! I heared there is something like on-line database of all aircrafts, so if you have a bit of info about them you can find out the missing puzzle pieces))

I have to apologise guys but 1-3 thing doesnt ring the bell for me at all))))) Is it something like Squadrone? or regiment? battalion? location?

Any other hints? Suggestions?

If am gonna build the Apache in 1/32 - it will definitly be the one with nice and big mouth!  This one looks great!

 

BTW where is the RADAR from top of rotor mast? Or it is removable?

 

Andy

Andy,

1-3 refers to the battalion and regiment that the helo belongs to.  In this case, it is part of the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment.   As far as the radar goes, only one in three AH-64Ds actually come with it, although any D model can have a radar installed or de-installed.  As discussed in some of our previous posts, most of the D models in Iraq and Afghanistan are now flying without the radar.

If you're building this particular bird in 1/32nd scale, you've got a big conversion job ahead of you.  It is certainly doable (I've done it, with pretty decent results), but it is a challenge.  The Kangnam/IMEX 35th scale kit is atrocious and has way too many inaccuracies to make it a worthwhile kit.  Cobra Company will be producing a fix for the Avionics sponsons, but I wouldn't try the kit until they're available.  Just too frustrating. 

As far as this bird goes, I've put the pic into Photoshop and blown it up a bit to discern some details.  Still can't tell the tail number, but it does have the towel-rack antenna down the right side of the tail boom, so it is at least a Lot 7 aircraft.  That puts the serial range into 02-53xx or later.  It is a good bet that the first three numbers of that bird's tail are 253xx.  I'm gonna see what else I can do...

 

 

As a side note, guys, it looks like us Guard guys will be trained and qualified on the Longbow as part of Flight School XXI and will then have to take a month-long "downgrade" course out in Arizona for the A model. Can't really complain on that one!

Oh.... I see))))

I was actualy thinking to make a conversion from the Revell A kit. Is it possible? I mean are there any other main differences beside the conformal tanks (?) i dont know how these side compartments called))) I've noticed they are mutch bigger then on A model but I could probably rebuild them.

 

 

Andy

 

Andy,

Those side bulges are the avionics sponsons.  They are larger on the D model to accomodate various systems not found on the Alpha.  I used the ones supplied in the Revell kit as a basis for the sponsons and just added a great deal of sheet plastic to each to get the proper shape.  I did remove the front ends, because the curves are different and much 'beefier' on the D.  I basically used laminated sheet plastic and sanded it to shape to be the front and rear ends of the sponsons. 

My D model isn't here, otherwise I'd take some pics for you.  I'll see what I can do over the holidays.

 

 

So it IS possible to build D mode from Revell's A?

Cuz I really dont wanna touch IMEX thing at all)))))

I'll be looking forward to see what you've done for your D model.

BTW just checked the 1-3 on the web and here is what I found)))) Location: Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. They have 15    AH-64"D" and   9       AH-64"DW"... So 24 all together. Thats a good result - by the end of the day we reduced the number of candidates from 600 to 24 ))))))

How do you think, is it possible to contact somebody from the base to find out the tail number of this baby? Or this is a secret info? ))))

Thanks

Andy

 

Andy,

Tail numbers are somewhat sensitive information, so they can't just give them out.  If a photograph happens to show it, that's one thing, but they won't just come out and give you the number.  Plus, the 3rd Infantry Division is in Iraq currently.  I'm confident that with the contacts we have, we'll be able to get that tail number pretty easily, but contacting Ft. Stewart would be a waste of time.  Just be patient, and I'm sure we can figure out something. 

Also, you don't have 600 airframes to worry about. Lot 7 runs from 02-5285 to 02-5344.  That's only 59 airframes.  I'm betting it is a Lot 7 and not a Lot 8 aircraft.  Lot 8 starts at 03-5345 and runs to 5418.  Those are the newest Apaches in the Army.

Oh.....good!

Now I can breathe deep again))))

BTW what is AH-64 DW? Does this "W" mean Lot 7 or 8?

Thanks

 

Glider, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the W means "with" as in "with a radar".  In my book, I referred to them as DWI and DWO, (D WIth and D WithOut).  Just an easier way to keep track of them.

I'm gonna paint gator mouth artwork on a Delta pic when I get some free time, just to see what it looks like. Thank you photoshop!

Sorry boys but them there are SHARK teeth not gator teeth.  Gator teeth are round and conical like a dolphin or a killer whale. 

 

Just ask the Croc Hunter...

To me, still looks like a gator overall.  Teeth may not be gator teeth, but the long nose and bump at the front from the sight still makes it look like a gator.

Here's a different mouth on an Apache:

Same unit, different deployment.  That's a 1-3 D model from OIF I.