well the apache has been going well and am nearly finished the build so will have more time to post this week as all my builds are coming to a close ,but i thought id post up some info on the full size apache AH64A in teh mean time .
Primary Role: Twin seat combat helicopter
Origin: USA
Dimensions: Length: 17.75 m, Height: 5.11 m, Main rotor span: 14.63 m, Tail rotor span: 2.79 m
Capabilities: Max. speed: 365 kph, Ceiling: 6.4 km, Max. range: 689 km
Weight: Empty: 4,881 kg , Max. weight: 9,525 kg
Power Plant: Two General Electric T700-GE-701 engines rated at 1,536 hp each.
Weapon: 30 mm single barreled M230 cannon with 1,200 rounds, up to 16 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, four unguided rocket packs, detachable fuel tanks
The A Model
The a model carried out its maiden flight in September of 1975, and was seen as a very advanced helicopter for its time. It was considered to be immune to machine gun bullets with a caliber of up to 12.7 mm., and most of its systems could take hits from 23 mm. mortar shells as well. The Apache A boasted an advanced night vision system which made it the first combat helicopter to have full night-fighting and low visibility capabilities.
The AH-64A - as the model is designated in the US Army - is equipped with two General Electric T700-GE-701 engines, supplying 1,723 hp. each. These engines are what gives the Apache its unrivaled maneuverability and cargo carry capacity. 925 units have been produced to date, most of them for the US Army.
On January 17th 1991, the A-Model Apache fired the opening shots of the Gulf War in an attack on Iraqi radar posts. The Apache's destroyed hundreds of Iraqi tanks in the course of the war.
Hughes developed the Apache in the mid-1970s, after weighing the lessons learned in Vietnam. The advanced attack helicopter was intended to block the Warsaw Pact's large armored force, in the event that it mounted an invasion of West Germany.
The Apache is robust enough to take direct hits from a large number of shells and keep on going. Its strong engines enable it to fly at over 360 kph and to climb very quickly, even in reverse flight.
Several systems combine to create the Apache's night fighting capability. A PVNS night vision system gives the pilot the ability to see, even in conditions of total darkness. It accomplishes this by sensing heat given off by various objects, generating a picture and displaying it on the monitor in the cockpit and in on the eyepiece in the pilot's helmet.
An optical TADS system for laser targeting and designation guides the Apache's Hellfires to their targets. The Hellfire missiles - the Apache's chief armament - is intended for use against armor and buildings. It is highly accurate, even from long range. The Apache is armed with up to 16 missiles, or four rocket packs. Its armament includes a single-barreled M230 30 mm. cannon with up to 1,200 rounds. In addition, the helicopter can carry detachable fuel tanks, for augmenting its range and the time it can spend in the scene of the action before turning back to refuel.
