Academy 1/72 British Army Apache "Afghanistan "

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 4:26 pm

This is the Britishised Apache AH-64D with extra sensors and fitted tea making equipment. Being the British one Academy have leapt on Prince Harry ( a bit like...no never mind) flying the beast and have promoted the aircraft flown by him in that most dangerous of Afghan provinces RAF Cosford. What is nifty (a quaint Anglicism meaning cool as in " my dad thought he looked quite nifty in his Ford Cortina...") is that because we can't afford many, the decals contain the whole British Army's allocation of Apaches so if you don't like Hal you can pick a random air frame!
If you want a demonstration of how to build an Academy Apache then look at Matthew's as his will be much better, this is my first chopper and may yet be my last. Most days I get to shake my first at the real thing as they come over my house at 50 feet looking for any insurgents hiding in my back garden and as for the 2300 Chinook that's another story entirely!

Makes life awkward..

Cheers
Paul

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 5:46 pm

Great to see another Apache and also to have you along for another SIG Paul

Will you be building up the Hazzacopter or one of his minions?

And also a nice reference to the Cortina in there as well - I'm assuming as he thought he looked nifty it was the dysentery beige mk iii with the brown vinyl roof?

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 6:28 pm

Go for it, you will have a blast building a chopper

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:03 pm

Oh yes long Bow

Looking forward to following the build Paul

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:30 pm

Ha, I doubt that. This is my first whirlybird too!

Post by **digger303** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 9:32 pm

your not suggesting ole prince harry used to use the choppers for his own convenience...

Post by **Stokesy44** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:59 am

Another Apache

Post by **digger303** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:40 am

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:59 am Another Apache

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:53 pm

Erm apologies due, I forgot the general principle of these things an omitted the photo taking part

We now find ourselves here...

I'll try harder next time!
Paul

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:57 pm

Oh my god man, slow down

I've not even got my kit yet

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:03 pm

Kevthemodeller wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:57 pm Oh my god man, slow down I've not even got my kit yet

Jesus no kidding
Send someone over and handicap this rogue builder

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:51 pm

Wow, that kit seems to go together quickly

Keep up the good work (but slower)

Tommy

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:03 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:03 pm Jesus no kidding
Send someone over and handicap this rogue builder

Beer and wine ply him with both

that should slow him down

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:41 am

Blimey - out of the traps like a greyhound!!

That is looking very good so far though

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:58 am

Way to go Quax. Let me know of any issues you can solve for me!!!

I'm still waiting on AM items.

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:54 pm

Thank you all for all your kind....

comments

To make up for it I thought I'd post a completely superfluous photo of a Tamiya Centaur mic and a possibly useful photo for TKNS of the Sioux engine at Middle Wallop, you chose which is which...

Paul

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:57 pm

OOOoo I like me the Sioux, gonna steal the pic as reference for my build

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Thu Dec 05, 2019 5:31 pm

@bfrd
Theres a couple of fragile bits if your version uses them I broke a wig tip but it went back together ok. I would suggest any remains of spruegate etc are removed after gluing.
The undercarriage part is ludicrous not just because it's so thin and the gates thick (comparatively) but the proper location almost unidentifiable

A small amount of filler used on the nose so far but I think a little more will be required elsewhere mostly because I'm a rcap modeller

Hope it helps
Paul

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Thu Dec 05, 2019 5:50 pm

Quax wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 5:31 pm @bfrd
Theres a couple of fragile bits if your version uses them I broke a wig tip but it went back together ok. I would suggest any remains of spruegate etc are removed after gluing.
The undercarriage part is ludicrous not just because it's so thin and the gates thick (comparatively) but the proper location almost unidentifiable
A small amount of filler used on the nose so far but I think a little more will be required elsewhere mostly because I'm a rcap modeller

Hope it helps
Paul

THANKS!!!!

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Sat Dec 14, 2019 8:41 pm

@bfrd
Don't know if you're past this point but consider how you're going to get the nozzles to fit in the holes. As my photos show I had to take them off to get the fit r@bfrd

Also unless you have pe the panels on the side of the fuselage are too thick an could do with thinning. Hope it helps

Note to self stop biting your thumbnails....
Paul

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 11:27 am

Quax wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2019 8:41 pm @bfrd
Don't know if you're past this point but consider how you're going to get the nozzles to fit in the holes. As my photos show I had to take them off to get the fit r@bfrd

Also unless you have pe the panels on the side of the fuselage are too thick an could do with thinning. Hope it helps

Note to self stop biting your thumbnails....
Paul

Thanks!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 11:38 am

That's coming along nicely mate!

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Thu Dec 19, 2019 7:15 pm

for the comments guys

So it's now built

And primed with Ultimate black

Cheers
Paul

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu Dec 19, 2019 7:26 pm

Wow, that is looking all kinds of awesome mate. She looks like such a BEAST with all those stores hanging from the pylons and fuselage.

That's a whole lot of teeth right there.

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Dec 19, 2019 7:29 pm

Oh yes, looking good Paul.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Dec 19, 2019 7:49 pm

It does look like a Beast
Just waiting for it to make that weird noise and leap up to transform into a robot...A Deceptacon no doubt

Superb modelling Paul

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:04 pm

Wow! That looks amazing.

Post by **digger303** » Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:32 pm

Looking better and meaner at each step of the build.

RangerNeil · Post by **RangerNeil** » Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:32 am

That's an impressive build!!!

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Fri Dec 20, 2019 3:31 am

How the heck do you paint it with it all together???

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Dec 20, 2019 1:00 pm

Great work Paul - that really captures the all-round intimidating look of the real thing

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Fri Dec 20, 2019 6:01 pm

smokeriderdon wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 3:31 am How the heck do you paint it with it all together???

The main rotor detached for spraying so I sprayed the engines then left it to dry whilst doing the blades this allowed me to hold it and practice my weird yoga hand positions to spray the rest.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments and it has now turned green, now this might be spectacularly wrong but in the immortal words of Clark Gable "frankly my dear, I only eat spam..."

Paul

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Dec 20, 2019 6:13 pm

How does he spray it????
It's all freaking army green!!
Looking great

Post by **digger303** » Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:13 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 6:13 pm How does he spray it????
It's all freaking army green!!
Looking great

What ! never seen camo tyres before, where have you been ?

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:15 pm

I'm known for being a trend setter!

Paul

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:54 pm

Quax wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:15 pm I'm known for being a trend setter!
Paul

Easy to paint the tires rubber black afterwards

RangerNeil · Post by **RangerNeil** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 12:40 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 6:13 pm How does he spray it????
It's all freaking army green!!
Looking great

Reminiscent of the 70's in BAOR.... Sat at Gelnhausen just outside Franfurt-am-Main with the US 3rd Armoured doing nothing and in their MT park one day they dragged all this kit out to spray a couple of vehicles We just sat and watched fascinated by all the high tech gear.. The Master Sgt in charge of the detail got tired of the audience (well - truth be told - more like the comments from the observers

) and demanded to know if we'd never seen vehicles painted before. "Not like that with all that fancy gear" was the reply. "How the hell do you limeys do it then" came the response.
Our MT Sgt wandered off to the back on one of our MK's and produced a couple of yard brooms, a couple of buckets and a couple of paint trays - "with these...." The looks on the American faces was priceless.

Post by **digger303** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 1:35 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:54 pm
Quax wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:15 pm I'm known for being a trend setter!
Paul
Easy to paint the tires rubber black afterwards

I was kidding guys and probably more the

at Scott....

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 8:32 am

digger303 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 21, 2019 1:35 am
Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:54 pm
Quax wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:15 pm I'm known for being a trend setter!
Paul
Easy to paint the tires rubber black afterwards
I was kidding guys and probably more the at Scott....

I like this method of painting. I believe the process involves taping a grenade to a large tin of emulsion. Running a line of string from the pin to the door handle, then shutting the door and sitting with one's fingers in one's ears whilst nature takes its course. Provided its self-levelling emulsion the outcome is always favourable.

Similar approach when building Tamiya kits. Attach another grenade to a pot of Tamiya extra thin, place said glue bomb in the kit box, replace box lid then leave said room using same method as above.

As the Navy SEALs say - very few modelling issues cant be solved with high explosives.

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 10:08 am

He's running away with this

Really starting to come alive now Paul

, is that a Cromwell I spy in the background

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 10:18 am

Kevthemodeller wrote: ↑Sat Dec 21, 2019 10:08 am He's running away with this

Really starting to come alive now Paul , is that a Cromwell I spy in the background

Thanks Kev - in those immortal words " it's good but it's not right.." it's a Centaur mk iv as used by the Royal Marines on D-Day. It was one of those cheap but interesting Tamiya kits

Paul

smokeriderdon · Post by **smokeriderdon** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:23 pm

The overall body I get. But like the bombs and such. I see armor guys do this as well and I am at a loss as to how you all manage to paint little detail thingies once they are on the subject and muddled in with everything else.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:53 pm

smokeriderdon wrote: ↑Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:23 pm The overall body I get. But like the bombs and such. I see armor guys do this as well and I am at a loss as to how you all manage to paint little detail thingies once they are on the subject and muddled in with everything else.

Simples. Its because we're mad and we like pain

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:34 am

smokeriderdon wrote: ↑Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:23 pm The overall body I get. But like the bombs and such. I see armor guys do this as well and I am at a loss as to how you all manage to paint little detail thingies once they are on the subject and muddled in with everything else.

This is easy, according to the instructions everything is green missiles included....

Paul

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Dec 23, 2019 9:36 am

Great coverage on that topcoat Paul - as Kev said it's really started to come alive with that

Post by **digger303** » Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:50 am

Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2019 9:36 am

Great coverage on that topcoat Paul - as Kev said it's really started to come alive with that

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Tue Dec 24, 2019 1:16 pm

digger303 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:50 am
Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2019 9:36 am

Great coverage on that topcoat Paul - as Kev said it's really started to come alive with that

Paul

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Sat Dec 28, 2019 5:52 pm

Just a quick update, barring the addition of a couple of aerials and a bit of a touch up here and there it will be finished and I can jump up and down on it until it shatters into tiny plastic bits and goes into the refuse receptacle....

@bfrd my decals were like cardboard and I would suspect that a thermonuclear device detonated in close proximity would not achieve that "painted on look" Cartograph had a day off when making these despite what it says...

Paul

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Sat Dec 28, 2019 6:32 pm

Looks great to me!

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Sat Dec 28, 2019 6:36 pm

bfrd wrote: ↑Sat Dec 28, 2019 6:32 pm Looks great to me!

Matthew you are a gentleman, shortsighted but a gentleman nonetheless

Paul