Hey guys,
Well, I finally got my Imex Apache.
Overall, I'd say that the Revell 1/32 kit is just as good, if not better. Basically the kit is scaled down from the Revell kit (with the same poorly detailed pilot figures) and has a single additional sprue to make it a D Longbow. The Avionics bays are for the earliest production D models, without the cooling system vents at the rear. The rear of these will have to be scratchbuilt in order to depict a current production machine.
The control panels are for an A model and are completely incorrect. Nowhere are the large MFD's that are characteristic of the rear Apache cockpit! While the kit does supply cable cutters for the main gear and other areas on the bird, they're all too thick to be of any major use. Placement of the grab handles, wire deflection bracing and certain antennae are either omitted entirely or Imex used an A model as a reference, because if they are present, they're totally wrong. The overall shape of the kit is nice, (and the forward end of the left hand avionics bay is nicely molded) but it leaves out items like Laser detectors that are rather prominent on D model (and late A model) Apaches.
Perhaps one of the most frustrating things are the decals. The instructions show markings for 93-04942, a Longbow supposely assigned to Mr. Roebuck's 1/6th Cav, "Checkmates" based in Korea. Yet the kit does NOT INCLUDE THE DECALS THE INSTRUCTIONS SHOW!!!! Also, the font for the "UNITED STATES ARMY" decal is incorrect as is the font for the tail number. The instructions again, depict these accurately, but the decals fail to measure up.
The only major selling point to the kit is the fact that it comes with both AGM-114K Hellfire II Laser guided missiles AND AGM-114L Hellfire III Radar Guided Missiles (yet only has "inert" markings for them). I'm almost happier continuing the conversion of my Revell kit!
Overall, if you're looking for a decent, large-scale AH-64D, this is your only choice out there unless you're up for some serious scratchbuilding. The overall shape of the kit is great, but those details that we all live for are sorely lacking.
Ok guys, fire away!