AH-64A Apache 1:72 (Level 4)

The AH-64 Apache was developed from the US Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter programme in the early 1970s. This stemmed from The US Army need to fill its anti armour role, following the cancellation of the AH-65 Cheyenne programme. This was designed to find the replacement for the AH-1 Cobra. Hughes Helicopters developed their Model 77 which became the YAH-64. The YAH-64 first flew in 1977. It features a nose mounted sensor suite containing targeting sensors and night vision equipment. A 30mm chain gun was carried under the forward fuselage and stub wing pylons provided four hard points for carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and unguided rocket pods. The helicopter was introduced into US Army service in 1986. The US Army is the primary user of the AH-64., however it has been exported to many countries with the UK developing its own version with different avionics and Engines. Later version would feature a mas mounted radar. The primary anti-tank weapon is the Hellfire missile, but rocket pods and even Sidewinders can be carried. 
 

The Kit

This is Revell's own tool kit from 1990 which was released under the Matchbox label in 1992 when Revell owned Matchbox. The tool seems to have held up very well and the level of detail seems good for the kit.  The kit arrives on 4 sprues of grey plastic and a clear sprue. Work starts with the man rotor head.  The four main rotor are assembled between the two halves of the rotor head and the completed assembly is put to one side. Next up the weapons racks and their 4 Hellfire missiles for each side are built up, along with the stub wings; these again are put to one side. Now we move to the cockpit, the tub is one piece with the side consoles as decals. The seats go in along the instrument panels and their coamings.  The instruments are provided as decals.  Cyclic controls are provided but there are no collective sticks or tail rotor controls present. Two pilot figures are included if the modeller wishes to use them. A rear bulkhead completes the cockpit. Once this is done the cockpit can be closed up in the fuselage. The main rotor mast and a few aerial are then added.  The side engine pods are built up and added to the fuselage. At the rear the tail wheels, rotor and stabiliser are all attached. Moving back to the front on the underside the main insert goes in and then the 30mm chain gun and front undercarriage can be added. At the front the sensor turret goes on followed by the canopy. The pilots side window can be in the raised or lowered position.  To finish up the rotor and stub wing assemblies from the start of the build are added to the model.