International Scale Modeller

Here's my next build/project, Hasegawa's AH-64D. This will be converted to the Army Air Corps WAH-64D version, courtesy of Heritage Aviation Model's resin conversion set.

This is my first helicopter I've built in a while, so I'm looking forward to this. I also have an interesting idea for an Afghan themed diorama.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

As I am installing the pilot, and gunner/co-pilot, I'm not bothering with the expense of a highly detailed resin cockpit, so the kit's cockpit is being used. The detail on it is very good, and paints up really well. The figures are pretty detailed too, but they did have a lot of flash to get rid of. Pilots aren't finished yet, still painting them.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Nice work on the cockpit. Can never get enough of attack helos!
I'll be following this one.

It's starting to look like an Apache now. The pilots are assembled, and for kit supplied ones, they are pretty good. The gunners head was removed, and repositioned looking to one side. this will fit in with dio when finished.
I've also managed to source some old OOP Model Alliance AAC decals too. It's just the "Army", tail number and roundel, but that seems to be all that's needed, and the generic stencils from the kit.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Pilots now painted, and sat in their "office".
Uniforms were black primed, then a base coat of Vallejo Ivory Sand. 2 different shades of green, and 2 shades of brown were lightly "mottled" over the base colour. Followed by a black wash, for low lights, then dry brushed with the Ivory Sand, for the highlights.
Helmets are painted Vallejo Russian Green., black washed, and dry brushed with light green.
Seatbelts are made from 1mm masking tape, painted dark grey.
The targeting "monocles" were picked out with a spot of maroon paint.
I've also started work on the diorama too.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

I really like the crew and cockpit

rgds
John(shortCummins)

Those little guys look amazing!

Super cool project

Small update on the Apache, as I've spent quite a bit of time readying the diorama components, which are coming along nicely
SA-80 Carbines added for the pilots. These came from the Airfix 1/48 Afghanistan Patrol set, just shortened a standard SA-80.


Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Bit a of large update this time.
Well, I've reached the end of the main assembly, it's now time for the priming and painting.
I've also started reading Ed Macy's book, Apache. A very good read.

Canopy all masked.
Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Heritage Aviation Models resin upgrade set. Very nice, and essential if your going to build an AAC Apache.
Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

All those "lumps & bumps" added. Ummm, lumpy!
Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

You've got to admire the Apaches firepower, Hellfire's, Rockets, and that 30mm cannon!
Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

A very nicely detailed rotor-head, made up of a lot of pieces. A little fiddly to assemble, but worth it.
Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Assembly all done.....just add paint!!
Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

PALM TREES!!
Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Real nice work so far. Looking foward to the painting!

Hasegawa 1/48 Westland Apache AH Mk.1
All the main fuselage and other bits and pieces sprayed, and I'm now ready for the gloss coat. I did several test strips, with differing shades of green, including the suggested mix from the instructions. The suggested shade seemed too light in my mind, and I went with Vallejo's Model Air 71.019 Camouflage Dark Green.
The AAC (and US) Apaches seem to be quite a dark green, and the Vallejo paint looked the closest.
Exhausts and gun also sprayed up, using Vallejo Metal Colour's Jet Exhaust.
Hellfire's are sprayed with NATO Black.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Looking great

Just a small update on the Apache.
The fuselage has been washed with some Flory's Dark Dirt wash, and then sealed with matt varnish (didn't bother with a photo of that). I've experimented with Windsor & Newton's Matt Acrylic Varnish, thinned 3:1. Airbrushes okay, and gives quite a flat finish, which is ideal for the Apache.
I have completed the weapons load. The yellow stripes around the Hellfire's were done using 0.7mm masking tape, and wrapping it round.
Same as the fuselage, I used a Dark Dirt wash, and then matt varnish. Because this is an Afghanistan based Apache, the stores have been given some extra weathering using Tamiya's Weathering Master Sand, and Light Sand. This will be repeated on the fuselage.
After that, it will all be sealed with another couple of coats of matt varnish.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

All completed. Just adding the finishing touches to the diorama.
A brilliant and enjoyable build.
as a closing note, I've seen that Hasegawa are going to be releasing a full WAH-64/Westland AH1 soon. I'm guessing it'll based on the same kit as this, with the AAC "lumps & bumps". How well it'll stack up against the Heritage Aviation upgrade set, time will tell.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Love it, great work!!!
She is an angry looking bird

The reveal on the finished diorama.
Vehicles and buildings are both 1/285, or 6mm, whichever you prefer.
Vehicles are from GHQ, and the buildings from TimeCast Resin.
Base is a mixture basing materials, on to the harboured backing of the photo frame.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

One of my favourite helicopters.