Geronimo was an Apache, so I felt the need to invoke his name.
I finished my A-36 Apache for the Accurate Miniatures Group Build tonight. I used an Eduard PE detail set, which includes the dive brakes (my FAVORITE part of this build !). Since I didn’t want to hide the niceld detailed wheel well & gear doors, I cut out and dropped the flaps. It pretty easy to do on this kit.
The build didn’t go without problems, though. It would have been wiser to cut open the canopy BEFORE painting, but I didn’t. As a result, the port window cracked, and I have no spare. I’ll order a vac from Squadron Monday. The kit canopy is rather thick, and the overall appearance will be better with it anyway.
I used decals from Three Guys Replicas, my first experience with them. They’re opaque (good thing on an O.D. aircraft), and “melted” into the surface detail with a couple applications of Micro Sol. I plan to get more decals from this company.
The O.D. is Model Master enamel, and the Neutral Gray is Color of Eagles acrylic.
Hope you like it, and thanks for letting me share another Accurate Miniatures build with you !
Great build Pix[tup], i have the same kit on stand-by, i still dont have the nerve to start working on it, you said you used the Eduard PE? how difficult is it? i dont have that much experience with PE and i dont want to mess everything up so any word of advise will be highly appreciated. Congrats man another great build! [bow]
Hector - the dive brakes are a little fiddly. For the ones on the wing tops, you have to align two pieces (each with slots ), with the outer being larger (you have to center it). The "arms must be bent from the inner piece. On the bottom, you have to butt-joint the two arms on the slotted piece. The seat & console on the pilot’s left must be folded carefully. There are also bomb shackles, drag links and other small parts that require care. Its not one of Eduard’s more difficult sets, but experience (or a lot of patience) helps.
Another stunner you have there Pix! I agree with you that those dive brakes are the ‘piece de résistance’ of this one. I haven’t seen those on any P-51 model before. Great stuff.[8D][bow]
That looks great!!! You have inspired me to build one now. What was the AM kit like to work with? What paints did you use on it? Is it the best Apache kit out there?
What a nice way to wake up this morning ! Eleven great replies.
Filibert - the A-36 was an early derivative of the P-51, and was purpose-built as an attack plane (designation “A”-36). I think its a nice change from the more popular P-51s (although my father flew a P-51 in Italy in WW II)
pingtang - the Apache was Accurate Miniature’s first kit, produced in 1994. Its the only injection molded one in 1/48, to my knowledge. I have seen it in 1/72 (a limited-run kit-possibly Special Hobby) The only part that can lead to problems is the nose section, which is molded separately. I glued the nose halves to the fuselage halves first, rather than doing two subassemblies. The canopy is clear but thick - you may want to replace it with a vac.
obiwan - I’m itching to build Hasegawa’s Hs 129 & Ar 234B. Both of those are splinter schemes, though. Maybe I’ll build another Trimaster Me 262.
Thanks again ! It has been a pleasure to share this build.
