1/48 Monogram AH-64 Apache   Part 3

by Rodney Williams

--------------------

 

Yes indeed, more metal parts. When I build models for clients I always use two kits. These photos show how I revised the kits "chain gun." I made the spring by tightly wrapping fine diameter brass wire around a "hard" round diameter metal rod. (You can use copper wire, if desired). I compress the wire coils together as I wrap the wire around the rod. When I have enough so called "wraps," I hold one end of the coiled wire, while it's still on the rod, then gently pull on the other end. It will start to separate, as you pull on it. When I have the proper separation, I remove it from the rod. I attach one end to the new kit rod, then cut the rest of the surplus coiled wire off the other end, and attach it. I use super glue for this application. I used either .004" diameter, and/or .006" diameter wire. I buy the .006" diameter wire at my local hobby shop. Years ago, I took apart one of my grandson's broken "slot cars." The tiny motor in these cars have very fine copper wire. I have some .003" and .004" diameter wire. GO FOR IT! 

Click on images below to see larger images

The gun barrel was had crafted, using copper and stainless steel tubing. I just drilled in tiny holes in the end of the muzzle section, then elongated them into an oval shape. To acquire the oval shape, I ground off the back side of a pointed #11 blade, until it would fit in the tiny holes. I just cut some copper off of each side of the holes. I then used my "Jewelers" four inch long #4 and #6 cut needle files to finish the job. Please don't email me and ask?: "How big were the holes you drilled into the muzzle?" I don't remember, and I can't measure them, as I do not have the model. I could say that the holes were about .010" to .016" in diameter. ( You can see these files when you access "Large Scale Planes" web site. Just look for "My Tools" under Tips & Techniques category). 

I use round styrene tubing for the rocket tubes, and revised the pylons. I drilled out the holes on both ends of the kit rocket tubes, and attached them to my new styrene tubes. I made all the rockets, and painted the front ends gloss blue. 

Click on images below to see larger images

When I fit the windscreen to the fuselage, I noted that it was a bit to wide. I checked my second kit, and it had the same problem. I selected to add styrene to the fuselage, rather than thin down the clear plastic. 

Click on images below to see larger images

Other revisions were made to the front section of the model. Please take note when looking at this side fuselage photo. Since it is not an extreme "close-up" shot, it represents how fine the screen is, which I attached to the thinned down plastic on the inside of the oval frame work.  I hand crafted the clear, red and blue navigation lights.

Click on images below to see larger images

The pitot tubes were made using stainless steel tubing. I have no idea what this "gold" looking round thing is. I used very thin flat brass sheet stock, (maybe .004" to .010" thick) and scribed in the cross sections. It was wet sanded down to 2000 grit, then polished with "Blue Magic" metal polishing cream, then dipped into "Future Floor Wax" a few times. The last photos shows it installed on the model. Part four, which concludes this story, will show several close up photos of the finished model. 

Click on image below to see larger image

Rodney

Photos and text © by Rodney Williams