Apache AH-64D JGSDF Attack Helicopter Hasegawa 1/48

AIRCRAFT JAPAN
スポンサーリンク

I built this helicopter model for the first time in May 2015.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 BOX PACKAGERecently, sometimes I’ve been making modern tanks and airplanes, but not yet touched any modern Japanese military forces. This time I choose to make this attack helicopter, the Apache of Japan Ground Self Defense Force. This kit was released in limited production from Hasegawa based on the US Apache kit.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGQuite a large number of parts have jammed tightly in a box. I am accustomed to making a tank kit with many parts, so it’s not a big deal; still, I felt it’s many compared to the aircraft model.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGNow I’m making a cockpit. I was surprised by the body size and took a shot of it.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGThe two figures are the same parts, only changed the right arm. There are many burrs, and hard to file them after painting and sitting them in the cockpit, good feeling.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGI attached decals with decal-softer after gloss black paint.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGI ignored the procedure and assembly of the helicopter wing first as I got the impact of this size. Tank kit space needs to be smaller after completion and become save space, but the airplane needs to be larger. Maybe I need to find some display space all over my house after completed.
(06-May-2015)

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGI painted the inside in black as an indication.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGFirst, I thought it would be an easy position for using the instant adhesive, but not going well. It wasn’t easy to stick the left and right big parts. Hard to fix the location of the cockpit and the rotor. I tried to fit in only the rotor and the next fitting, only the cockpit, to confirm the gap; after some challenges, I could find the best position of total adhesion.
Initially, I used Tamiya pouring cement, but it is not as strong as Creos, so I changed it to Creos on the way. Firstly I tried to fix the parts cleanly, but in the end, I only mind to assemble stoutly. I wonder if other modelers feel these processes are complex. Well, I think there is something like tips. I’m apprehensive about reaching the goal at this stage.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGThe assembly of the machine gun position on the lower body was a complicated mechanism, and I could not understand the explanation. I checked three side pictures of paint indication and used my imagination to make it. Maybe I think there’s not so big a mistake…

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGThere are lots of detailed rivet molds close to the joint. I’ll care as much as possible not to give damage the rivets. The best way is the fine-tipped file; something thin stick attached to sandpaper is best, I suppose.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGI don’t understand how to mount the main rotor parts, especially the diagonal frame. I think the explanation of the indication manual is not good enough. I checked on the internet for real machine photos, but they were more complex… Mounting in the half guess, too. Anyway, this area good looking detailed mechanism.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGIt was almost completed after mounting engines, wings, and many large parts. There are many small remaining parts for the goal. The manual is compressed to a small space layout and is hard to read.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 MAKINGMaybe the only small work was left before outside painting. The photo is finished with all the parts in the cockpit and is painted in black. Now I’m masking the canopy. The canopy was polished with compound on the outside and inside.
(09-May-2015)

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 PAINTINGThe base of the manual’s illustrated explanation of the tail rotor was also challenging to understand. I needed to attach many small parts in the final phase of the assembly, but the looks were not drastically changed, and my motivation was not kept high.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 PAINTINGThe parts located in the runner flame of this kit are complicated without any basic pattern. For example, tank kit all-wheel parts are gathered into one runner. This kit required a detailed plan as I needed to open many holes in the parts. It was my first time making a helicopter, and had quite puzzled feelings without basic structure knowledge.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 PAINTINGI assembled it carefully to avoid damaging too many small rivets on the delicate parts while filing the gate.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 PAINTINGThere are a lot of yellow character decals on the missiles. It’s challenging to paste decals after mounting all the missiles; it’s good timing to blow black again.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 PAINTINGBrown part of the camouflage paint, there is an indication that the No.12 olive drab and No.21 middle stone mixed color, but it wasn’t a good color taste. I adjusted by adding No.22 dark earth; I suppose it’s a reasonable conclusion.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 PAINTINGWell, only painted masking sol and, like completed, good camouflage. This sol is sticky and hard to peel off.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 PAINTINGContinuing camouflage, the next step is a small black pattern, masking over the green.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 PAINTINGThe camouflage paint was finished in good taste.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 PAINTINGIt didn’t make dirty inside the cockpit like my making Russian Flanker last time, but apparently, very little masking sol penetrated the inner on the cockpit panel rim. I’ll re-paint the frame thicker to hide it; I hope it’s almost no problem after attaching the window wiper.
(21-May-2015)

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKJapan Ground Self Defense Force began the deployment of AH-64D (Apache Longbow) in 2005. Unfortunately, this plan substantially failed. Licensed production was initially scheduled for 62 aircraft deployments in nine years but was suspended for only 13 aircraft procurement.
It is regrettable to hear this kind of story because it’s a high-performance machine. Only 13 aircraft are not enough anti-tank forces, even if it’s not one wing group.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORK1/48 scale modern aircraft is a large and robust impression. Oh, I have forgotten to place the object of comparison together in some photos. The overall length is about 33 centimeters; it’s also 33cm from the edge of the rotor blade to the other end. You can feel the size more when looking at the photo in the making section.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKAfter assembling this kit, I could understand the shape more. Before making it, I have only vague images of this aircraft. The three-dimensional model helps our 3D sense deepen (only appearance).

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKCamouflage paint is large vertical stripes of brown and green. A pattern of tiny black enters here and there.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKThere are some lenses on the top, called the Arrowhead system; it is a device that supports all-weather combat capability. There’s no paint indication in this manual, so I referred to the box art and painted some lenses rim in red.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKThe top round object is the Longbow Fire Control Radar. This radar can instruct individual attacks within the 6-10km range. We can say it’s the biggest feature of this helicopter.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKThe missile is a guided missile called Hellfire II. The next tube-like beehive is the Hydra 70 · 70mm rocket launcher stores 19 rockets.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKI did weather only washing in dark colors.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKAfter washing in a dark color, small rivets show up.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKA small blue warning light is on the right side (left in red). These small parts give a detailed impression of the kit.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKApache has an armament of an M230 30mm chain gun on the berry of his body. The whole cartridge is 1200 rounds. I suppose 1200 is very quick, with a couple of automatic fires.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKOn the left side of the window, I mistook attaching a blot of plastic glue. I felt so sorry.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKI could recover the accidental point of the front window inside infiltration of the masking sol when attaching the wiper and painting the thicker frame. I relieved it…

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKI did hard work on the cockpit, especially some green CRT monitors. At first, my photo was not a good shot. This is using a flashlight to force lighten the inside.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKThe top of the rocket and missile has shining parts; it’s a nice accent.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKThe main rotor’s structure is complicated and mechanical, and good-looking. I dry brush on the edge of them in metallic color.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKI show you this underside when displaying it’s almost hiding. The red sun is a tiny round.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKOne more shot of the underside of the tail.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKRotor blades are slightly hanging when the helicopter is on the ground. I bent these large blades in warm water and curved them very carefully.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKFragile parts are attached to the up, down, left, and right sides everywhere, and the holding position is minimal. It is a more delicate aircraft than I had been thinking.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKThis eye-level shot is best seen as and strong visual, I suppose.

JGSDF AH-64D APACHE HASEGAWA 1/48 FINISHED WORKThis is my first helicopter plastic model, and I enjoyed it very much! This kit has many hard-to-understand parts, and I may make some mistakes. Eventually, it goes nicely with camouflage paint. I like it. There is one more Apache in my stock, which is the original US version. I don’t mind taking this so soon; someday, I would like to challenge it.
(25-May-2015)