1/72 Italeri AH-64 Apache - Cockpit Problem ?

John,

Glad to help!  That Longbow is a bit closer to the real thing, but the kit still represents one of the early prototypes.  The aft end of the EFABs didn't have the blowers there on the prototypes.  It isn't too difficult a fix, just a pain in the butt.  It really just comes down to poor kit research on their part.  Another minor issue is the steps on the left EFAB.  They're backwards!

The antennas you mention on the engine nacelles are your Air Data Sensor booms.  Pretty much the same thing as the little T-top on the Alpha or the boom sticking off the cockpit of an AH-1F or AH-1Z.  They're pretty important details to have!

Those other missile pods are for Stinger AAMs.  Currently, the only Longbows out there that have Stinger capability are the Japanese ones.  They're really a redundant weapon system.  

 I did want to ask if the cockpit panels had the MultiPurpose Display panels on them, or if they had steam gauges?  ALL Longbows have MPDs.  So far, the only kits that have gotten that right are the Hasegawa and Revell Germany in 48th.  It may take some scratchbuilding, but they're pretty easy to do.

Jon
 

Not sure why these two pic's didn't upload last time . Anyway you can see how the stub wing fits into the top of the fuselage sponson . The other pic shows that small strip/panel that fits inside the canopy , going in the front cockpit section . Is that correct ??? . I haven't added the other one's to the Academy and Italeri kits as yet as I'm still not sure what is the correct position .

                                                     John.

Thank's for the pic's Jon , I copied them onto a CD disc and I greatly appreciate you posting them for everyone to view . Its always interesting to put a face to name .

Anyway the Airfix 1/72 AH-64 Longbow Apache arrived yesterday , upon opening the box   some of the parts appear to be similar to what Academy and Italeri offer . Appart from the fuselage sponsons , is that what you call the EFABs , they look slightly larger and fit up closer to the stub wings , It doesn't have those vents at the rear as you mentioned in the pic's.

The Airfix box art shows some type of antenna on top of the engine pod but it's not included in the kit . I was hoping to compare the Airfix kit to the Hobbyboss AH-64 but the hobby store had to back order the hobbyboss kit as they were out of stock . So I guess this one isn't an accurate Longbow version either , I'll build her as another A version . The kit does have some different type of Missile/Rocket pods that fit on the outer stub wings ends .

Thanks again for sharing the pic's

                                                 Kind regards John

How did I miss this thread?!

Lookin good there John!  That Italeri kit, even though it says "Longbow" is not a D model.  It represents the APG-78 radar testbed AH-64A.  The Extended Forward Avionics Bays (EFABS) are not included with that kit, and the FABs you've got on the kit are the A model ones.  Unfortunately, that kit came out when the program was just getting underway. Here's a shot of the right hand EFAB on a flat-top AH-64D (that's me in the back seat).  You can see it is beefier than the one that comes in the kit. 

By comparison, here's an A model FAB:

There's a major difference in angles and size, and that's just the right side.  The FABs on an Alpha are symmetrical, while they are considerably different on the Delta.

This is a difficult angle, but you can see that while the right side EFAB goes under the wing, the left side actually angles up to be even with the top of the wing.  On the Longbow, both EFABs end in a large venting system:

Now, as far as details in the front cockpit go, Charlie had it nailed.  The Block 1 AH-64D's still had the ORT (Optic Relay Tube) from the AH-64A, except with some new buttons.  Block 2 (2003 builds and later) have the new TEDAC display:

Hope this helps somewhat.  If you need any help, don't hesitate to email me!

Jon

Thank's for the kind comments Ray . I just ordered the 1/72 Airfix and Hobby Boss AH-64D Apache's from the hobby store today , so I guess your right about a squadron of Apache's

I also had a try at using a wash on my first IDF apache . I just wanted to high-light the recessed panel lines around the fuselage . I tried using Humbrol enamel gloss black thinned with Humbrol thinner , It was a little difficult to get a nice capillary action to flow in and around the recesses , I ended up using 10 parts thinner to 1 part gloss black but I had to go around the fuselage a few times . It worked out okay in the end and once the wash was dry I tried a mix of 10 parts Future to 1 part Flat base and that gave the apache a nice flat finish .

I also ordered some Model Master gloss black and lacquer thinner with my two apache kits today , perhaps the M/M black wash might go on a bit easier than the Humbrol mix ?

I hope to post some pics soon .

                                         Kind regards John 

John,

  Looks great from where I sit.  You gonna get a collection of Apaches to go with your Huey squadron?

    Ray

Looking great John. If you would have told me you were going to scratch build the ORT I would have scanned an old -10 of the front cockpit for you. It would have given you a little better reference for scratch building. For a 1/72nd scale model though your ORT looks just fine.

Glad I could help.

Charlie

Here's another pic of the cockpit , For some reason it didn't upload on the last post , so I tried again .

                                           John.

Thank's for the two pic's charlie , I've attempted to scratch-build the "ORT" for the front cockpit , all though it's not exactly like in the pic's . I spent the better part of an afternoon and evening trying to file and shape little pieces of plastic and watching them fly out of the tweezes and across the bench numerous times , which really tested my patients . Anyway I stuck with it and I guess it looks okay ; usually I would of put the whole kit back in the spares box , so I'm happy I at least had a go . I found some spare pilots to put into the cockpit , so they look okay too . There is a small black strip that appears to fit on the inside of the canopy but the instruction aren't clear on it's actual position ??? .

I just need to add the landing gear , stub wings and engine pods and she's ready to mask , so hopfully I can start to airbrush her in the next couple of days.

Thank's again for the pic's

                                                      Kind regards John.

That is where the ORT was installed on the first D models. They removed it I believe in the blk II aircraft. If you have a spare A model kit the ORT would be the same. THe ORT was replaced with a third MFD I believe. Here are some images I found on the internet that shows the ORT.

Hope this helps

charlie