Hasegawa AH-64D Apache Longbow - WIP
Comments
1 2 February 2019, 13:23
Michael PhillipsI'm back! After a two week vacation in Bali, I am now back into my daily routine and ready to get started with my new project, the Hasegawa Apache. Not pictured here is the Metallic Details set, which is actually due to arrive today from Ukraine.
Hey ice and Ronan, I'm doing a Helo! I hope I can do it justice somewhat near the level of you twos' magnificent 1/72 choppers! 🙂
2 February 2019, 13:29
Maciej BellosHey Michael, nothing out of your comfort zone. A US Army helo, as that UH-60 you built some time ago, which if I remember correctly had some issues. In other words, we are expecting a good looking chopper.
2 February 2019, 14:42
Michael PhillipsThanks Maciej! I hope I can live up to the expectations!
Anyway, finally back to the bench after a long hiatus playing Ace Combat 7. Awesome game and good inspiration now that I have had my fill of the game.
The Aires cockpit is done and in now. This actually fit quite well, but attaching all the tiny resin pieces was a major PITA. I managed to lose a few of them to the carpet monster after attachment and handling. Oh well, inside the canopy it will not be super visible anyway, which makes me question my purchase of the pit in the first place. LOL
5 March 2019, 03:09
Konrad -Mike is back with an Apache 👍! Cool dont want to miss this one.
Mine is already finished and ready for take off 😉!
Good looking progress so far 👍!
5 March 2019, 06:24
Paul DoubleyouLooks great. I have one to do and was worried id just paint it black and the weathering would be difficult.
5 March 2019, 09:39
Erik LeijdensNice, following Michael! If I understand it correctly the Aires pit isn't very necessary? Have the Hase Apache too so maybe I can save a couple of euros..🙂
5 March 2019, 21:33
Michael PhillipsThanks Konrad, Holger, Paul, Jan, Hans, Bart, ice, Patrick, Eirk, Spanjaard, and Jos! Welcome!
Sorry for the delayed response, I have been very slow with this build as I try to regain my mojo. Anytime I take time away from the hobby it often takes me a bit to ramp back up to my normal production pace.
Hans, yes, the cockpit fits quite well with some sanding and trimming, especially the bottom, but otherwise fits nicely. Definitely the best fitting Aires pit I have used so far, with the one for the Tamiya F-16 being a close 2nd. But as Erik mentioned, it really is not necessary, and is a pain in the but to put all the little resin and PE details in. I ended up knocking some off during handling never to be seen again. So if I was to do this again, I would not have bought this, as it is rather expensive to begin with and will not be easily seen based on the canopy design, even with the doors open on the one side.
26 March 2019, 02:29
Michael PhillipsAnyway, as I mentioned I have been slow with construction of this, especially compared to my normal pace. I think it being a helicopter adds to that, as there are so many dangly bits, lumps and bumps, and doodads hanging off them. I am also not as familiar with construction steps of these bad boys and am therefore less confident with each step. But I am getting there slowly! Still need to add some more stuff, but should be ready to start painting this weekend I think. Thanks for following along!
26 March 2019, 02:32
Patrick HagelsteinThe Apache is made so ugly, the earth's surface keeps pushing it away. that's Boeing's take at getting the thing flying. 😉 I have very fond memories of this piece of character. 🙂 👍
26 March 2019, 03:37
Michael HickeyShe's looking the goods, this has to be my favorite whirly bird. I'll be building an IDF Apache in a couple of kits time hopefully.
26 March 2019, 13:11
Michael PhillipsThanks Michael, James, and Stephan!
Yeah, Patrick, she is an ugly, all business bird indeed. I guess that is part of what makes it so cool!
2 April 2019, 13:13
Michael PhillipsI am very slowly getting close to putting some primer on it. I have her mostly assembled, this thing has so many protrusions on it I have to be very careful handling it. 🙂
2 April 2019, 13:14
Holger Kranich´Ol modeling knowledge: What can break off will break off. But you will tackle this as usual.😉
2 April 2019, 13:19
Maciej BellosYeah, so many antennas here and there even if it's an A variant. I snapped a lot of things while building mine... But you'll manage. Looks good so far.
2 April 2019, 13:36
Patrick HagelsteinYeah, this thing isn't sleek as it isn't built for speed. That's why all the antennae and portrusions don't need to be tucked away.
2 April 2019, 13:48
Michael PhillipsThanks guys!
Still plugging away at this one. Got the primer on tonight, won't pre-shade since the base color is so dark. Will reply on paint modulation and post shading entirely on this one.
Will hit it with the base color tomorrow night. MRP Helo Drab. 🙂
5 April 2019, 04:30
Holger KranichI´m looking Forward Helo Drab. I´ve seen so many pix of an Apache (recently) and all have different shades of Drab. But that makes it so interesting!
5 April 2019, 06:37
Michael PhillipsThanks Holger and Stephan!
Holger, that is going to be the fun part of this build. Most Apaches have many different shades of helo drab all over the aircraft, and I since I did not pre-shade, I have used paint modulation to simulate the darker and lighter areas of the paint. I will still post shade to give it even more character, but so far I am pleased with how my initial base coat turned out.
11 April 2019, 01:56
Michael PhillipsThanks James! It is straight out of the bottle from Mr Paint. MRP-174. No thinning required.
mrpaint.sk/farby?product_id=244
This is fantastic paint, if you have never tried MRP you really should give it a shot. It can be hard to get though, not a whole lot of distributors, and the one that does here in the US (Hobbyworld-USA) is often out of the more popular colors.
11 April 2019, 03:38
Erik LeijdensMost impressive Michael! Inspiring too 👍. Must get me some of that MRP stuff for my Dutch AH-64
11 April 2019, 13:30
Michael PhillipsThanks Bart, Michael, Erik, Daniel, and Nathan! I am pleased with how this is going, even if it has taken a long time, by my standards. LOL
11 April 2019, 17:52
Patrick HagelsteinI totally switched over to Mr. Paint! Awesome stuff and very forgiving layer thickness wise. But sadly... hard to get hold of in the US. 🙁
13 April 2019, 10:30
DemigodImpressive work so far! Are you having some sort of helicopter phase right now? 😄 You know, other people just buy a Porsche and be done with it ...
13 April 2019, 14:27
Michael PhillipsThanks Maciej, Stephan, and Demigod!
Patrick, yeah, it's too bad more places don't stock this paint. It really is so easy to use!
Demigod, actually this is the first one in awhile, it just happens my last helo build was commented on and brought it up in my timeline. But I hear ya on buying a Porsche, I am actually looking to get a new ride, but even though I love Porsche, I am looking at getting one from a different German automaker... A BMW M4. 🙂
16 April 2019, 00:38
Michael PhillipsWell, got most of the decals on now. I do have some things to fix... I messed up the black line on the left side below the cockpit. Also, I noticed in the pics I have some silvering on a couple decals on the right side around the cockpit. Funny I don't see it in person, but it is obvious in pics. Nothing a little blade poking and solvaset won't fix!
16 April 2019, 00:40
Patrick HagelsteinThose vertical lines guide the down climbing person's feet to the steps and should be centered on the steps and completely vertical.
16 April 2019, 03:05
Michael PhillipsThanks Patrick, Holger, and Konrad!
Got the wash on today, so a little progress to report. Used MIG AMMO Deep Brown on this. Very subtle effect on the Helo Drab. Still have a few parts to apply the wash to, and finish the main and tail rotor.
Looking forward to finishing this one up and getting back something I am more familliar with, pointy fast planes! 🙂
22 April 2019, 03:06
Bart GoesaertWell, it is the second fastest attack helicopter at the moment 😉. Nice work...
22 April 2019, 06:42
Michael PhillipsThanks Bart and Stephan!
Got some minor post shading and flat coat on. Pretty happy with the uneven, faded finish that I got. Starting to look like a well used whirlybird! I am thinking I may be able to wrap this up by the end of the weekend.
24 April 2019, 02:18
Tim HeimerLooking good Michael! I did one and have 2 more to do! One with the open engine kit. These things are impressive! Too cool dude!
24 April 2019, 03:58
Michael PhillipsThanks James and Timothy!
Timothy, I checked out your Apache build and it is very cool! Love the diorama set up.
24 April 2019, 14:46
Tim HeimerSimple but effective. Thanks! I love this heli! Keep up the good work mate!
24 April 2019, 20:15
Slavo HazuchaGreat paintwork & shading, very realistic! The positive rivets look very good in this context too... Looking forward to see it finished 🙂
25 April 2019, 09:44
Michael PhillipsThanks Timothy, Erik, Ronan, and Slavo! I really appreciate the kind words.
So I got her on 'er feet and I worked on the "R2D2" senser ball thingy on the nose. Played around with molotow chrome and clear yellow and blue to get a holographic effect. I am really pleased with how it turned out. The molotow chrome on the left side of the sensor ball is very mirror like, and you can see reflections in it quite clearly. 🙂
26 April 2019, 03:55
Nathan DempseyThat sensor looks great! The one side looks "deep". Very realistic.
26 April 2019, 12:42
