Retro WWII Apache whopper chopper

kerick · January 20, 2022, 08:07:36 PM

Here's the beginning of the idea that hit me while I was under the influence of Omicron and cough medicine. No real back story or reasoning other than what if I took some of this and mixed it with some of that. So what we have here is a 1/72nd Revell snap tight Apache attempting to mate with parts of two early model P-40s. Hey, its what I had on the shelf!

Here is the Apache minus the turbine engines, sensors and gun with a new nose job. I'm also going to add a filet in front of the vertical stabilizer and add something to the back edge to give it a curved 1940s look.

This will be an indication of the new general arrangement.

I'm trying to decide between a three bladed or four bladed tail rotor. Plus you see the "bazooka" style rocket launchers for the wings and .50 cal gun barrels that will be placed in and around the new nose. Trying to work in at least a couple 20mm guns too. I'll use the pilot figures from the P-40 kits to replace the modern ones from the Apache. I'm going to reshape the main rotors to a more rounded tip "propeller" shape to give a more 1940s look. Gotta have some bigger, fatter WW2 tires too.

Now I have to figure out a way to close up the end of the engine nacelles that looks somewhat streamlined without adding a lot of length. Its going to be tough enough mounting the engines above the wings and below the rotors to look at least somewhat believable.

The P-40s are the 1/72nd Airfix kits and very nice they are! Almost a shame to cut them up but they are inexpensive and available at Hobby Lobby so no big deal. The Revell Apache is par for the course for a snap tight designed many years ago. Outside shape is ok for a whiff but I could do without all the rivets! If Matchbox used to have a ditch digger for the recessed panel lines then Revell had the rivetmeister for this one! Which would almost blend in for a WW2 model but the P-40 had none at all! So scrape and sand them away which is what would have happened with all the PSR anyway.

So I'll see if I can get this done in time for the end of the Gunships GB. Usually entering a GB is the kiss of death for a build but the mojo is upon me so here goes! And as always any suggestions gratefully accepted!

loupgarou · January 20, 2022, 11:57:05 PM

Interesting concept. I hope you manage to complete it in time.
In order to enhance your mojo, did you mix your blood with the putty?

kerick · January 21, 2022, 05:35:57 AM

LOL! No that's just good old Bondo spot filler for car body repair. I've been using it for years and works great. No sacrifice to the modeling gods so far!

NARSES2 · January 21, 2022, 06:35:06 AM

Looking good and I particularly like the idea of a WWII era helicopter gunship

kerick · January 21, 2022, 07:28:47 AM

Rumor has it that Sir Douglas Bader took one look at the first aircraft that arrived in Britain and shook his head and walked away!

kerick · January 21, 2022, 10:39:25 PM

Wings are on and horizontal stabilizers. Drilled holes in the nose for six .50 cal guns. I'm getting the cockpit worked out and found some better pilot figures in the spares box. They needed their backs shaved off and some scrap plastic added to boost them up in the seat. I need to mix some zinc chromate primer green paint. Plenty to do yet.

kerick · January 27, 2022, 11:11:36 PM

Here's some progress pics.
Rotor reshaped and extended to allow more room for engines. Found some zinc chromate green in the paint drawer.

Engines are in place and first coat of OD green is on plus one coat of neutral gray. It seems someone in the experimental division of USAAF stole some navy gas bags. I'll never tell!

I found some extra large prop spinners and used those to represent gearboxes on the front of the engine. It has a shaft running to the transmission like the Apache.

Here's one with the extended rotor shaft.

Hope I can finish in time. I'm trying to figure out what color to paint the gear legs. OD green, gray or aluminum.

Rheged · January 28, 2022, 02:51:26 AM

Quote from: kerick on January 21, 2022, 07:28:47 AM
Rumor has it that Sir Douglas Bader took one look at the first aircraft that arrived in Britain and shook his head and walked away!

Somewhere in the archives, Winkle Brown's assessment should be available.

Old Wombat · January 28, 2022, 03:00:09 AM

That's looking brilliant!

NARSES2 · January 28, 2022, 05:59:16 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on January 28, 2022, 03:00:09 AM
That's looking brilliant!

It is indeed

NARSES2 · January 28, 2022, 06:00:04 AM

Quote from: kerick on January 27, 2022, 11:11:36 PM

Hope I can finish in time. I'm trying to figure out what color to paint the gear legs. OD green, gray or aluminum.

You can always ask the Mods for an extension. Ian (Aeroplanedriver) put the call out on 21st Jan, so there's still time to get a request in

buzzbomb · January 28, 2022, 02:15:13 PM

That does look the goods.

Nice work

Steel Penguin · January 28, 2022, 02:18:03 PM

it looks remarkably right

kerick · January 28, 2022, 10:13:43 PM

I'm trying to paint on invasion stripes. First coat of white lifted some of the OD green. I'm hoping another coat of white covers it. Some spots of green need touch up. I have decals lined up just hope they apply properly. Boy, I would so much rather build than paint. Something always seems to not come out like I want it too. If things go well I might just make this GB.

loupgarou · January 29, 2022, 12:08:52 AM

I hope you finosh it in time. Such an interesting build!