Wednesday, May 13

The good & bad news about Academy's "new" 35th scale AH-64A Apache "South Carolina ANG"

Academy are forging on with larger scale rotary winged aircraft. This time the very cool AH-64"A" model from the South Carolina ANG in two marking choices. We have a little on the kit, the instructions and a few conclusions on whether the kit is a re-box or not in our preview...

A new (?) Apache from Academy

AH-64A Apache South Carolina ANG
From Academy
1/35th scale - Approximately 50cm long, 14cm high when completed
Decals for 2 versions Included
This kit is expected to be released on or about May 2020.
Price: €19.27 EUR from Hobbylink Japan
The AH-64A Apache is an attack helicopter that has been deployed by the U.S. Army since 1984. This model kit precisely reproduces the M261 rocket pod, the AGM-114 anti-tank missile, the rugged form equipped with a 30mm chain gun, and the front and rear tandem cockpit. Two kinds of decals are included -- the 59th Air Command 1st Battalion, and the 151st Air Regiment, belonging to South Carolina ANG when dispatched to Iraq. 

This boxing represents one of the aircraft sent to Iraq from the South Carolina ANG (#94-0332) with this shark mouth on the side
This kit from academy is under a little bit of a cloud, and whether it is a new kit or a re-box from the earlier Hapdong Techmodel is not 100% sure- but we are sure after examining a few parts of the kit we have seen so far.

This Academy version features: (pictured below is the completed Academy kit)
- AH-64A Apache attack helicopter in 1/35 scale - Size when completed: 506mm in total length / 140mm in height including rotor
- The product accurately reproduces the M261 rocket pod, AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missile, a rugged form equipped with a 30mm chain gun, and a front and rear tandem cockpit. 
The kit includes two types of decals, including the 59th Aviation Command, 1st Battalion and 151st Air Regiment, belonging to South Carolina ANG (State Army) dispatched to Iraq.
SO - is it a new tool or a re-boxing?
When looking at the instructions of the kit we noticed something when compared to the Hapdong Techmodel of 2006 vintage.
The cockpit instructions - first from the Hapdong Techmodel
The the same steps using the same numbered parts from the Academy kit
The fuselage halves and major construction - the same parts and assembly - first from the Hapdong Techmodel
- the the same steps using the same numbered parts from the Academy kit
So it's a re-box.. 
Even though it IS a reboxing of the older kit there are new decals, the two mushy pilot figures from the 2006 box are included but not necessarily desirable - and the horrible thick beginner level glue is not included in the Academy kit. You DO get masks for the cockpit transparencies

 ...And of course new decals of more recent subjects - so there are some positives in this kit for Apache fans - and that's a lot of us...
This kit is available on pre-order now from several model online shops - now you know what to expect!  More on Academy's kits on their website