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!