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| Updated: 29 Sep 2007 |
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| Hasegawa has recently reboxed their 1/48 AH-64D Apache Longbow to represent
the 'production' version entering service with the JGSDF. Initial research
indicates that the main external differences between the JGSDF variant
and other Longbows is the support for Stinger AA rails on the tips of the
winglets and incorporation of the updated Boeing Arrowhead PNVS system.
Hasegawa provides a new spure (S) which contains the Stinger rails and
tubes, but does not provide the updated PNVS turret. |
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| I acquired the Aires AH-64D cockpit way back when the original boxing of
the Hasegawa Longbow was released. I was not sure it is was that much better
than the kit supplied tub, but a fairly quick comparison shows the significant
improvement it will provide. |
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| To enable the Aires pit to fit, a little surgery is required to remove
some of the kits parts and thin the side walls (not by much actually). |
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| Dry fitting of the resin cockpit reveals that Aires have done an excellent
job. The biggest job preparing the resin was cutting off the huge block
on the bottom of the tub.. |
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| Another view of the Aires tub dry fitted into the Has fuselage.. |
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| Updated: 7 Oct 2007 |
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| Comparison of the fuselage to my references, shows that Hasegawa have done
a pretty good job (as expected). There are still some areas for improvement
(if you feel so inclined). One such area is what I assume to be the APU
exhaust on the starboard side (near the main engine exhaust when fitted).
As can be seen from the picture, the kit has the outlet but no internal
trunking. |
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| 15 minutes with some plasticard on the inside of the fuselage gives us
som depth to the exhaust. |
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| Still some cleanup to be done here, but at least the kit does not look
hollow now :) |
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| In addition to the Aires cockpit, I also have the Eduard PE set (49201)
which I will use for all the fine details on the exterior of the model.
One such area that beneifts from the PE touch is the A/C exhaust vents
on the avionics pods. |
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| There are also cooling vents on the fuselage proper (again for more avionics).
Eduard has supplied replacement grills for these as well. |
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| Its a bit difficult to see, but considerable thinning of the plastic was
needed to get the grills to sit close to the outside surface. I think Eduard
would have you glue the grills on the outside, bu that just looked plain
wrong. |
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| The Aires cockpit is almost a model in itself. Here the tub is prepared
for a coat of paint with the addition of PE rudder pedals and scratchbuilt
levers on the left console (front and rear). Aires does provide these tiny
parts in resin, but one of my set was missing and the other broke when
I tried to separate it from the sprue :( |
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