AH-64 Lot 9... Cobra's just a little excited!

Jon,

Wow, now I see what you were talking about in regards to the MTADS/PNVS turret and towel rack antenna!  Aside from the changes you mentioned to the CP/G's IP, are there any other mods made to the cockpit in relation to the new gear?

Cheers,

Slightly OT, but...

I found a really neat video posted over in the aircraft forum of a Japanese Longbow:
http://www.flightlevel350.com/video_streaming.php?id=6144

How recently did the JGSDF acquire their AH-64D's? And would they be of this newest block that you mentioned, Jon?

Hate to admit it, but whenever I get a 1/48 Hasegawa D-model on my bench, I just may have to go with that JGSDF paint scheme. That camo looks pretty cool next to the plain-old Helo Drab.

Snake,

The Japanese just got their first Longbows about 2 months ago.  They're starting to license-build them over there now.  In fact, as soon as the JGSDF got their first Longbows, Hasegawa released a boxing of those markings!  I believe they are the equivalent of US Lot 6 AH-64D's.  Not up to the absolute latest, but pretty damn close.  They're also probably gonna put a bunch of new avionics in there too. 

Alby, as far as I can tell, the rear cockpit is pretty much the same as earlier Lots.  I'm trying to find better shots of the MPNVS turret. Modifying the kit's PNVS is rather rough going.  Otherwise, its coming along really well.   

Ok, apparently I was given some erroneous information.  That's a Lot 9 bird with the MTADS/MPNVS.  And, the Japanese birds are Lot 9 equivalent.  This one here has the MPNVS turret.  It looks like the DJPs have some Israeli avionics on them too. There's an antenna that's visible just ahead of the low-airspeed sensor boom that Israeli birds have as well, but no one else does....

Jon,

Speaking of IDF/AF Longbows, Isradecal just released their Saraf conversion set for Hasegawa's Longbow (and decal set). I know what my late summer project will be. Times are good for Longbow modeling!

Cheers,

Cool, Jon. Thanks for that update.

Alby,

Yeah, I've seen the Isradecal Saraf set.  I think I'm probably going to get it eventually.  Jury's still out on the decals. I'm waiting to hear back from them regarding that.  I'll be posting a full review of it here and hope to on ARC as well.

Jon