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AH-64D Apache Longbow

 

   Isradecals, 1/48 scale

 

S u m m a r y

Catalogue Number: Isradecals IAF 53 Israeli AH-64D-1 Saraf & US Army AH-64D Longbow
Scale: 1/48 scale
Contents and Media: Waterslide decals
Price:  
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Excellent quality, multiple options; interesting subjects; attractive half-tone artwork
Disadvantages:  
Recommendation: Highly Recommended

 

Reviewed by David W. Aungst


HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

 

Introduction

 

One of the latest procurements by Israel on the aerospace front has been the AH-64D Longbow Apache. Apparently it is used by only one squadron, and IsraDecals has provided markings to build an AH-64D-I "Saraf" from the "Hornet" squadron.

As there is not much to the markings for the Israeli version, the sheet also provides several US machines as well.



 

F i r s t   L o o k



This decal set is well-printed and comes packaged in the familiar plastic zip-lock baggie. The instructions are only black and white, but they are printed on glossy stock paper and are very readable. The decals, themselves, are printed by Cartograf which speaks volumes to there quality.

The package measures up to everything we have come to expect from IsraDecals. Click the images below to see larger versions of the package contents.


Decals
Decals
Decals
Decal Print Detail
Decal Print Detail
 

Instructions

Instructions

The sheet includes the following aircraft on it:

  • AH-64D, Israeli AF, Green / Sand, "Hornet" Squadron, 2006 (numbers to build most any Israeli aircraft)

  • AH-64D, SerNo 99-5102, US Army, All Green, B Company, 1-3rd ATKHB, 3rd Infantry Division, Iraq, March 2003

  • AH-64D, SerNo 99-5118, US Army, All Green, C Company, 1-3rd ATKHB, 3rd Infantry Division, Iraq, March 2003

  • AH-64D, SerNo 99-5135, US Army, All Green, C Company, 1-227th ATKHB, 1st Cavalry Division, Iraq, March 2003

  • AH-64D, SerNo 02-5289, US Army, All Green, A Company, 1-227th ATKHB, 1st Cavalry Division, Iraq, November 2004

  • AH-64A, SerNo 94-0332, US Army, Tactical Gray, A Company, 1-151st ATKHB, SC NG, Iraq, December 2004

This last entry in the list is a very interesting aircraft. I have never seen a US Apache in anything other than drab green. The two-tone USMC-style camouflage is an intriguing option for building. I hope to see at least one model built in these markings, sometime. For me, my one and only Apache model has already progressed past the point of allowing me to change its color. I may even finish my Apache in some decade...

The decals are in perfect register (on my review samples) and have what seems to be all the right colors in all the right places. As I mentioned above, the decals are printed by Cartograf, so their quality and usability is a known quantity.

The decals have sufficient numbers and letters to make most any Israeli "Safaf" in existance. The only limitation is in the fact that there are only two of each number in each print style. This would make an aircraft number like "488" impossible as you would need four 8's to do that aircraft while the sheet only provides two. But this is only a minor issue. There is enough airframe data to make one complete aircraft.

The instructions state the decals are sized to fit any Longbow Apache kits. IsraDecals currently produces an AH-64D-I "Safaf" conversion set for converting a stock US AH-64D Apache into an Israeli machine.

Evident in the images above, there is enough airframe data to do one full airframe. A full four pages of the instruction booklet is set up to give precise information on where all the data markings go.

 

 

Conclusion



I have run out of good adjectives for describing IsraDecals decal sheets. I have yet to find a bad sheet from them. My only gripe I can really think of would be the cost (they tend to be one of the most expensive decal companies out there), but if IsraDecals produces the aircraft you want to model, you will not find a finer rendition of the decals to build said aircraft.

 

Highly Recommended

Review sample kindly provided by Isradecal. 


Text Copyright © 2006 by David W. Aungst
This Page Created on 08 September, 2006
Last updated 08 September, 2006

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