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AH-64A Apache Electric
AP103
The finished fuselage weighs in at 20ozs which makes it very comfortable to fly with 500 class
electric models using the 530mm or 550mm main blades. The fuselage is can be detailed to any degree and there are
no engine and muffler headaches here. The only concern is making sure the electric motor and controller are
receiving enough cooling from openings in the fuselage.
AP103 AH-64A eApache Scale Fuselage Assembly Kit $352.00  |
When you first open this fuselage, it is well organized into assembly sections. All wood
parts are identified using a key number that is shown in the manual and is referenced in the accompanying text. Approach
Engineering has used modern CAD (computer aided design) to model the entire fuselage virtually before any wood was cut
and as you start building this fuselage, you will start to see why this design approach is so effective. Major fuselage
sections are constructed from an interlocking plywood box frame design that integrates the elevated tail and main
mechanics sub-frame together in a very lightweight structure. Aesthetic details are then built on top of this base frame
that form the rounded surfaces of the fuselage.
Originally designed around the Swift 16, which has a belt driven tail system, Approach Engineering includes all the necessary tail components
to install the longer tail belt over the ball bearing pulleys that allow the belt system to function in the elevated tail
section. Tail belt tensioning is done at the very end of the tail boom section which is accessed by removing a few screws
from the tail cap. The elevated tail section uses two telescoping sections of tail boom, the outer is bonded into the tail
section allowing the inner to be adjustable. Set the desired tension, then tighten the tail boom clamp to secure it place.
No rudder pushrod is provided as pilots have their own preferences based on the type of gyro used. The short tail pushrod
in the elevated tail and the bellcrank at its base are included, leaving the modeler to choose their own pushrod from the
rudder servo to the bellcrank in a straight shot along the tail boom.
Modelers have the choice to install the Century Swift 16, Mikado Logo 10 or similar sized 500 class electric
mechanics and the eApache includes both mounting plates for convenience. The Logo 10 mount is 1/4" plywood while the Swift 16
mount plate is 1/4" balsa. Modelers installing a different mechanics will be able to drill new mount holes to match their
mechanics using either of the included mount plates. This is another perfect example of the attention to details that
Approach Engineering puts into their kits to give more to the modeler instead of less.
The sport scale AH-64A Apache includes carbon reinforced landing gear with metal operating Oleo struts and
wheels in the front and the wire mount with wheel in the rear. Although the tail wheel is supported on a wire, the rear
of the tail boom has been modeled to look scale as it extends out from the end of the tail boom. Hardware is included to
actuate the rear elevator and space has been designed into the frame to install both the tail rotor and optional elevator
servo. If the optional elevator servo is installed, then you will need to purchase another flexible tail pushrod from your
favorite hobby shop to complete the elevator control system. Common to scale models, the elevator is commonly setup to
simply trim the model in forward flight and is usually operated as a slave to the flight mode switch on the transmitter
which makes small trim adjustments easy. This is not always the case and can alternately be installed on a multiple position
toggle switch or proportional rotary dial.
Another option is to actuate the rotation of the 30mm chain gun. This can be mechanically slaved to tail
servo or operated similarly on a separate proportional channel. The parts to assemble the chain gun include the actuator
arm and are installed anyway, all that is left then is to make the servo connection. The Approach Engineering models are
just packed full of great scale accessories that normally are not included with many fiberglass fuselages. It is clear
that the fuselage designer has a passion for scale helicopters and creative design that you will see during the building
of this fuselage.
Wood Components:
Key coded plywood and balsa laser-cut components with balsa sheeting and stock for the fuselage.
Card Stock Components:
Laser cut card stock access and maintenance panels the give the model outstanding scale appearance.
Clear Components:
Clear vacuum formed windows provided for the cockpit.
Other Components:
Longer tail belt, ball bearing timing pulley and idler pulley, scale Oleo struts, tail wheel mount, tail bellcrank, and wheels.
Documentation:
Step by step instruction manual with construction photographs.
The following photos show a selection of photos from the instruction manual to give you a better idea of
exactly what you will be involved with as you build this fuselage. Construction photos are clear and include numbered keys
to help you find the correct pre-cut part on the sheets.
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Left & right Apache plywood fuselage sides bonded to balsa sheeting. | |
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Left & right balsa tail boom sections with reinforcement triangle stock. |
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Plywood elevated tail frame started with tail tube & elevator pivot mount. | |
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Rudder bellcrank uses two linear pushrods for rudder control. |
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Elevated tail cap cover for the tail gearbox is framed up. | |
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Elevated tail cap attached to the fuselage tail boom, very scale in appearance. |
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Cockpit windshield structure framed up before sheeting with balsa. | |
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Front chain gun with barrel assembly, recoil adapter and gun back. |
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Left & right side closeup view of the TADS turret components. | |
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Wing pilon and mount with rocket pod installed, ready for painting. |
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Wing pilon and mounting system for Hellfire missile launcher, ready for painting. | |
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Flight battery installs under the removeable cockpit for easy access. |
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Primed cockpit windshield structure with swashplate front fairing tab. | |
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Primed engine fairing with engine nacelles attached, rivets & card panels. |
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Close up of swashplate fairing with radar jammer and laser cut card panels. | |
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Right side of lower fuselage primed with card panels & front strut placement. |
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Close up of front Oleo strut securely installed through fuselage front panel. | |
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Overall shot of Swift mechanics installed in lower Apache fuselage. |
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Same view of Swift mechanics in the lower Apache fuselage but from the front. | |
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Primed tail boom with tail drive shaft cover, primed in white for final sanding. |
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Bottom view of tail boom with Doppler radar, VHF antenna and access panels. | |
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Detailed tail boom with rivets, tail wheel, rear elevator & chaff dispenser. |
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Detailed lower fuselage with Swift mechanics, note rivet details on wing pilons. | |
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