Thank you for the detailed review Nigel. Very well done. Cheers

Great update Nige, more notes added to my notebook for my build of this.

Nigel, another good review, thank you. I've seen a couple of reviews of this kit and yours is the one that convinced me to purchase it.

Thank you for the review Nigel, especially when you're experiencing tough times. You inspire, inform and entertain so many of us in the modelling community worldwide and that has generated a huge amount of gratitude and respect for your efforts, personality and skill. I hope you draw some strength from the huge amount of goodwill that exists for you among your audience when things are difficult. Thanks again

A much appreciated review, Nige. ❤ I haven’t got a yen to build an Apache kit yet but when I do I expect this will likely be the one I go for. To me, ease of build takes priority over a few missing or fudged kit details. Hopefully an aftermarket resin / photoetched set in the near future will fix the shortcomings in this model. Best wishes to you and Jess. 🍀

Nigel, this kit is specific to the Apache Longbow, and Longbow Apaches are immediately identifiable by the rotor dome radar. This is why the kit is not labeled as a standard Apache or come with the parts to delete the dome.

Hi Nigel - I will be building the Airfix Sea King as I can choose a colorful paint job which the Apache does not...(Thanks for a great review)

I have the e and d late Takom. Picked up meng kit yesterday at my local hobby store. it looks to be a lot easier to build.way better instructions,decals etc.

Hi Nige, thanks for the shout out. I think I made the right choice in holding out for this kit. There is a Quinta Studios set coming for this kit. Can be put on backorder at Hannants. Quite expensive at nearly £33. But you do get seat pads and belts plus all the switch detail, cockpit detail etc. One thing you missed was in the cockpit. The gunners sight. You get the choice of the look down binocular type for the US versions, and the screen type for the Japanese version. There must be some sort of copyright issue with the Japanese rising sun decals. Meng provide them as 2 half circles. Plus they are just shown as round circles on the colour scheme charts. The Japanese weapons you referenced are Stinger Missiles. I believe that the US versions did not carry them. Plus you do get the 2 types of Hellfire Missiles. But overall, I think its a great kit. oh and FOD guards lol.

Thanks Nigel. Just out of interest I went onto scalemates and looked at the instructions for both. I see what you mean about Takom, and did I miss something, or are there no colour callouts?

Cheers N. Still soldiering on with the Takom - it's packed away and I take it out for a go every now and again. I've got the aftermarket decals from Caracal Models, should I ever get that far. Good to know there's a reasonable alternative to fall back on, but I'd have to cheat a bit as I don't want the radar on the rotor.

Dear Nigel, There seem to be some worthwhile helicopter kits around just now and this review makes me think about what I might do down the line. By the way- it’s good to see you getting good levels of views from your videos, particularly the reviews like this. I tune in as much as time allows, which unfortunately isn’t as much these days. Kind regards, Z

It appears to be a nice kit, even with its shortcomings, as you are indicating.

Two words for you: Studio Tour! Please!

I think the UK AAC are replacing the old WAH-64 with "off the shelf" AH-64E Block 3 version 6. But I think they have straight / horizontal exhaust IR suppression units similar to the "D" model. I'm not sure but I think the Takom "E" version only came with exhausts angled upwards. I'm hoping that Meng give you the option if they release an "E" and somebody does aftermarket decals for a UK machine.

Hi Nigel please check fit of canopy as the one build I have seen of this on LSP the canopy did not fit at all, was large gap at bottom, builder tried Takom canopy and it fit perfect!!??. Cheers Bob.

Nigel, i wonder about what has happened with model kit distribution, it makes no sense why it takes so long to get kits in some places. Here in the USA it seems to take us forever to get airfix kits, and i haven't seen a new revell kit in ages. Im still waiting with baited breath for the airfix sea king helocopter. I was hoping to get one by Christmas but, i doubt i will see it beforehand.

Yeah, i know you said dont mention those decals - how about a small extremely sharp chisel and try to scrape them off? Or are they over the raised rivets? Are the rivets too big to replace by any of your normal methods? It would almost certainly require some paint touchups...

Just wondering if the Meng kit includes the pilot figures?

Meng has announced another AH64.

Suggestion/rewuest, as part of your comparison of the Takom version to the Meng version, please mention/include the respective Kit prices. P.S. Hope all works out with your personal issues.

I suppose that with the Eduard release of an exterior PE Set this kit would be a far more enjoyable experience build than the Takom one. That Quinta studio cockpit set looks spicy as well! Meng are on a roll at the moment, their F-4s and Super Hornets are amazing and I hear the J-20 is unreal. Only problem is that distribution in Europe is a bit iffy.

Nice size scale, can't stand 1/48 in anything lol. Never built a Meng kit but this looks tempting 👍

Takom decals not that good then ! Brilliant as usual Nigel.

Which is better for nooby meng or tacom?

Does it lend itself to a UK version?

Takom kit with Meng decals, or third party?

That’s the kit you want to send over to me, Nigel! (Obi-wan Kenobi voice). 😛

Did the Chinese copy the Takom model?

Takom Decals are in general not good in my opinion. They are always on the thick side, with a lot carierfilm. I always replace them on my armor kits.