Helicopters vol.1: Hughes AH64A Apache

Subject: Hughes AH64A Apache
Scale:1/72
Manufacturer: Italeri
Painting: Tamiya acrilics

Work in progress vol.1 - Hughes Ah-64 Apache- READY!

Subject: Hughes Ah64 Apache
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Italeri
Comments: Injection model, with 3 sprues (2 with main assembling parts, 1 with clear parts), decals for 1 version (U.S. Army, overall olive drab).
Construction plan: Out of the box.

Step 1: Identification of the parts for inicial painting of smal details; Assembling of major components; Painting small parts

These photos show the inicial steps of construction. I've painted the cockpit details. Construction is not done exactly by the instructions. I've assembled the fuselage without most of the details the i will add later. The engines were also done, but need some sanding. The photos show the kit after 3h45min of work

Step 2: Tonight, i´ve detailed painted the landing gear with vallejo acrilics after basic painting with Tamiya XF62 lightned with XF3 yellow. Main rotor was painted black, while the rotor head was drybrushed with model master metalizer steel. The maingun was painted black, then drybrushed with model master metalizer steel. The gun mount was painted with the same XF62+XF3 misture.

Step 3: Tonight i´ve assembled the cockpit, instaled the clear parts, and primed the kit with tamiya XF53 neutral grey. The underwing rockets were painted and prepared for later assembling. Next will be the painting and weathering.

Step 4: Now the major parts were assembled. I painted the kit with Tamiya XF62 + XF3 yellow. The panel lines were airbrushed with XF62, and everything was blended with the original color of XF62+XF3 diluted with tamiya XF20A Thinner. The model was then sealed with several coats of future in preparation for the decals. All smal parts were also sealed with future as the gloss finish makes the overal painting look darker.  To add some interest to the kit, every little detail was highlighted.

Step 5: Now that all the major parts are done, i went to final assembling. The last part is to apply a coat of matt finish (i´ve been using Humbrol for years with good results). Yoy will see the finished model soon in a post at the blog under the label Helicoters (helicopters vol.1).

In total, i spend 18hs building this kit. Is a little bit more than usual for a 1/72 scale model that is no more complex than a fighter plane from World War 2, but it´s my first helicopter and i´ve been checking references and photos more frequently. I hope you wil enjoy the final result! 

Books review vol.1: Brazilian Expediotionary Force in World War II

Subject: Brazilian Expediotionary Force in World War II
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Price: R$41,00 (US$25.50)
Sumary: 48 pages, 8 in color, black and white photos, text in english
Comments: Just got this book at Cultura Book Shop in Brazil. It´s a very interesting publication by osprey, telling the story of the only south american country to fight in World War II. There is a description of the military organization of the brazilian army during World War II and the campaigns that these forces participated. Also you will find detailed description of the equipment, uniforms and insignias used by the brazilian soldiers during the conflict. For me, this will be very welcome as there is enought information to build at least one military figure representing these soldiers.
Veredict: Recommended

Military aircraft vol.6

Subject: Messerchmitt BF109E-4 of Haupmann Hans von Hahn, Gruppenkommandeur I./JG3, august 1940.
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: ICM
Painting: Model master acrilics

Military Vehicles vol.8

Subject: Sd.Kfz.234/2 Puma
Scale:1/35
Manufacturer: Italeri
Painting: Tamiya acrilics
Decals: Kagero publications 20: Sd.Kfz 234

Military Figures vol.11

Subject: Waffen SS Officer 1944
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Unknown
Painting: Vallejo acrilics

Military Aircraft vol.5

Subject: Messerschmitt Bf109G-10
Scale:1/72
Manufecturer: Revell
Painting: Model Master Acrilics

Military Aircraft vol.4

Subject: Messerschmitt Me163B V41
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Hobby Boss
Painting: Tamiya acrilics

Military Aircraft vol.3

Subject: North American P51D Mustang "Gay Crusader" flown by Lt. Holmer G Palmer, 361st F.G.
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Hobby Boss
Painting: Tamiya acrilics and Alclad II. Markings from aeromaster set 72-208

Military Vehicles vol.7

Subject: The Brazilian army in WW2: M8 Greyhound in Italy in 1945
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Italeri
Painting: Tamiya acrilics
Decals: The Brazilian Expeditionary Force in Worl War II

Military Figures vol.10

Subject: German recon group in france in WWII
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Dragon. Village fountain by Italeri
Painting: Vallejo and Tamiya acrilics

Military Aircraft vol.2

Subject: North American P51B Mustang
Scale:1/72
Manufacturer: Hobby Boss
Painting: Tamiya acrilics
Comments: Aircraft flown by Major Dominic S. Gentile, ace from the 4th Fighter Group in Europe during 1944 with 21+ aerial victories. Aircraft nose sometimes shows white spinner, sometimes a red one, probably a refit along the service life. Aircraft shown here was destroyed in a crash during a low level fly with Don Gentile at the controls. The pilot walked away unhurt.

Military figures vol.9

Subject: U-Boat commander
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Unknown
Painting: Vallejo acrilics

Military vehicles vol.6

Subject: Lkw gl leicht "Wolf" short wheelbase
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Revell
Painting: Tamiya acrilics

Military Vehicles vol.5

Subject: Schwimmwagen eastern front in 1944
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Italeri
Painting: Tamiya acrilics