1/48 AH-64 Apache, x 2

[kyledehart5]

Fantastic update!! This is looking really good.

[handiabled]

This looks fantastic! The chain gun is a cool add-on!

[oortiz10]

OK, just a little more to share. Not a whole lot done as of late. 

I have started on the Hase gun. This will be installed on the Revell -A.





Still more to do, but it's getting there...

I also got the nacelles, wings, and pylons installed. Along with the tail rotor. Oh, and everything got a bit of flat coat.




The Revell kit is this close to being done. Just a few more small details to finish up.

I also made some small progress on the Hase -D. I got all the small fragile fiddly bits attached to the main fuselage. Some of the smaller subassemblies were also built up. The pieces that I was able to glue together, and the fuselage, got a coat of Mr. Surfacer 1500 black. 




Looking at things under the primer coat, I see that there are a few spots that need a kiss or two from some sanding pads.

So, that's where the Apaches are as of now. I'd say the Revell kit is 95% done. The Hase kit is now at a point where I'm enjoying it again. Next for both is final assembly and paint, respectively.

I appreciate the looks. Comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out. Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned!

-O

[TJ]

Oh man that's looking fantastic

[oortiz10]

OK plastic mashers, I have a little progress to show on my -D. I was able to get the main airframe painted up.






I wanted the -D to look a little newer than the -A, so I didn't go as heavy with the color variations. I also used a black primer on the -D versus a gray one on the -A. When the two airframes are side-by-side, you can see how much darker the -D is compared to the -A.




I also got the walkways sprayed onto the wings, and the airframe also got glossed and decaled. 






I had two minor boo-boos while handling the model. I broke off two sets of grab handles. One above the pilot's left side, and the long one on the right side behind the pilot's entrance. I just used a couple pieces of fine wire to replace them. Here's one.




Trust me, the attachment point does not look that "messy" in real life. And under paint, you can't even tell. Yes, the hardest of the hardcore will notice that the handle isn't the correct shape, but I'm fine with it.

So, I'm turning my attention to the other parts in the box. First, I found it interesting that only one blade of the four had a droop to it.




I think that was by accident. So, I'm going to try to get some droop in the other 3 before I start working on the rotor system. I also started on the ordnance. I had to fill the gap where the fronts and backs of the rocket pods meet the main body. Looking at photos of 1:1 pods, that join line isn't there. So, some sprue-goo to the rescue.




I also had a broken fin on one of the Hellfires. I just clipped it off and used a shaped piece of styrene to replace it. Again, not perfect but close enough.






That's all I have for now. I'll be sure to show my progress as there's progress to show. Stay tuned!

Of course, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out. Thanks for lookin'!

Cheers,
-O

[handiabled]

Looks like you are overcoming the obstacles as they come just fine. The Revell build is looking fantastic close to the finish line

[lyle]

Coming along quite nicely!

[deafpanzer]

Catching up after being away for a while and I really like what I am seeing here especially the paint job!

[handiabled]

oortiz10, Omar any progress on these?

[oortiz10]

May 9, 2024 1:56:37 GMT -5 handiabled said:

oortiz10 , Omar any progress on these?

Actually...not really. I didn't realize that it had been so long since my last update. This time of year is busy at school, and I haven't had a lot of time to sit at the bench. The time that I have been able to sit at the bench really hasn't produce any progress worth sharing. Hopefully, soon, I'll be able to provide an update. Thanks for looking and for the kick in the pants! 

Cheers,
-O

[keavdog]

Looking forward to you getting more bench time O!

[handiabled]

May 12, 2024 17:05:29 GMT -5 oortiz10 said:

May 9, 2024 1:56:37 GMT -5 handiabled said:

oortiz10 , Omar any progress on these?

Actually...not really. I didn't realize that it had been so long since my last update. This time of year is busy at school, and I haven't had a lot of time to sit at the bench. The time that I have been able to sit at the bench really hasn't produce any progress worth sharing. Hopefully, soon, I'll be able to provide an update. Thanks for looking and for the kick in the pants! 

Cheers,
-O

No worries! Life does that to us all sooner or later. We will be here when you get a chance to get to your bench again!

[tcoat]

[buddho]

Awesome work here. Love the painting and weathering. Wow

[oortiz10]

OK gang, I had a slow week at work, so I was able to get some progress made on my Apaches. The -A is pretty much finished. There's one last small detail that needs attention before I can call it done. The -D, on the other hand, needs a lot more work.

I've made some progress on some of the fiddly bits. I got some things assembled and painted up. 





I was also able to get the "droop" in the blades sorted and attached to the hub. The FCR and shaft are in the photo above. There are still some assembly required on the swash plate and its control links.




The most significant progress was made on the armament. I was able to get the rocket pods and Hellfires painted, decaled, and the latter, assembled.








That's it for now. I hope that my next post won't be too far in the future. I'm ready to get these done, off my bench, and on to the next project(s). 

Thanks for keeping me motivated! As usual, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out.

Cheers,
-O

[handiabled]

Awesome to see you back on these again!! The rocket pods and Hellfires look outstanding!

[buddho]

Awesome work on the stores. Shaping up beautifully.

[oortiz10]

I am officially on summer break! The great news is that I now have time to dedicate to my Apaches.

Stay tuned!

-O

[mrt51]

Looking good!

[oortiz10]

Alright Apache fans, one of the two is done. I'm finished with Revell's -A. Here's teaser:




You can see the rest here: Revell 1/48 AH-64

The Hasegawa -D Longbow is still in the works. Stay tuned for progress on that one.

Cheers!
-O

[406 Silverado]

This was a good journey to follow along with Omar. A beautiful turn out in every aspect of the build.

[oortiz10]

OK, so I have to admit that one of the reasons I haven't had much progress to share on my -D is because I haven't been looking forward to the last remaining subassemblies. One is the tail rotor, another the gun, and the last was the main rotor system. Well, At this point, I've knocked out one of the three.

I got the main rotor and the FCR assembled. Wow. This was a pain in the rear. The rotor has quite a few fiddly bits. I'm glad I didn't break or lose any. (I'm considering myself lucky.)





Here's a photo of it dropped into place. You can see that I got the nacelles attached to the fuselage, too.





I also got the TADS/PNVS assembly done and installed.





The stabilizer's been added, and she's got shoes now. She's starting to look like an Apache...








Next up is the ResKit gun. I've gotten it separated and cleaned up. 





After that it'll be the tail rotor, then the rest of the fiddly bits. At this point, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. (I just hope it's not a train.)

Thanks for hangin' with me. As usual, comments, questions, and criticisms are always welcome. Feel free to drop your two cents in the bucket on your way out. 

Cheers!

-O

[stikpusher]

Sweet work! The FLIR turret and chain gin are looking outstanding!

[handiabled]

Just outstanding attention to detail on this! It's coming together wonderfully!

[deafpanzer]

The gun really looks great... good move replacing the kit gun!

[oortiz10]

Hey deafpanzer, thanks for stopping by. I agree that the resin gun is much nicer than the kit gun. It worked out that I was able to use the Hasegawa gun on my Revell Apache. The Hase plastic was an upgrade to that kit, just as this resin gun's an upgrade to the Hase plastic. Speaking of the gun...

So, the gun and the tail rotor were the last two subassemblies that needed to be completed before all the fiddly bits can start going on for final assembly. Well, I got 'em done.














I think it's a marked improvement over the Hase plastic, which in and of itself, wasn't that bad.


The tail rotor is done, too. Fiddly to assemble and delicate, so I'm going to leave it off until last. 





The only things left to be attached to the fuselage are all the itty bitty bits and the armament, then I can call this one done. Finally. I think this will be my last WIP post before I share photos of the completed kit. Um...maybe one more then the final photos.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by and for the feedback. If you have more to say, feel free to drop your two cents in the bucket on your way out. Comments, questions, and criticisms are always welcome.


Cheers!

-O

[keavdog]

gun looks good. Tail rotor confuses me - super fiddley

[oortiz10]

Jun 22, 2024 19:20:34 GMT -5 keavdog said:

gun looks good. Tail rotor confuses me - super fiddley

You think the tail rotor is bad? The main is worse!

Those are two reasons this build has dragged out. I didn't want to tackle either subassembly. Both have way too many fiddly parts, and the instructions are not super clear. A compounding problem is, because of the parts and their engineering, it's difficult to dry fit things to check how they go together. I muscled through them both, but it wasn't fun modeling.

-O

PS: Thanks for the compliment on the gun. I did my best.   

[handiabled]

The gun looks great painted with the crisp detail it has!

[oortiz10]

The Hase -D fought me to the end. I had to make my own position lights because, during final assembly, I lost one to the Tile Goblin (as close relative to the Carpet Monster). That aside, I can say that both are DONE! 

Here's a teaser:





The rest of the photos you can see here: Hasegawa 1/48 AH-64D Apache Longbow

Of course, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out. Let me know what you think of the finished product.

CheersI
-O