Hobby Master 1/72 Boeing AH-64DHA Longbow ES 1026, Hellenic Army, 2010s Diecast Airplane

In the early 1970’s the US Army wanted a replacement for the AH-1 Cobra so companies submitted proposals. In July 1973 the list was shortened to Hughes and Bell with each building a prototype in 1975. The Army selected the Hughes helicopter because its landing gear was more stable and the main rotor was more damage tolerant. In 1981 3 pre-production AH-64As were given to the Army for testing and named Apache. The Apache went into production in 1982 and has evolved into one of the deadliest machines over the battle field.

In 2003 the Hellenic Army Aviation ordered 12 Apache AH-64Ds, referred to by the HAA as AH-64DHA. The Greek HAA has 19 AH-64A+, 7 AH-64D and 2 AH-64D Long Bow. Greece selected these helicopters partly for its twin-engines since some operations will be carried out over water between the Greek islands. Another feature is the ability to carry Hellfire missiles and various rockets making these aircraft some of the most deadly in the region. This AH-64DHA ES 1026, BuNo 03-01026, c/n HA006, ex N50161 belongs to 2 TEEPS (Attack Helicopter Battalion) “Owls”.

Apache AH-64D Specifications and Characteristics
Manufacturer/s Hughes Helicopters - 1975/1984 McDonnell Douglas – 1984/1997 Boeing Defense, Space & Security – 1997/Present
Role – Attack Helicopter
Crew – 2 X (Pilot + Co-Pilot/Gunner)
Dimensions
Fuselage Length – 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)
Length/Both Rotors Turning – 58.17 ft (17.73 m)
Width – 17 ft (5.23 m)
Height AH-64D NR (Non Radar) - 12.7 ft (3.87 m)
AH-64D Longbow - 16.2 ft (4.95 m)
Rotor Diameter – 48 ft (14.63 m)
Performance
Power-Plants 2 X General Electric T700-GE-701C
Producing 1,890 shp Per Engine
Speed Maximum – 182 mph (158 kts / 293 km/h)
Cruise – 165 mph (143 kts / 265 km/h)
Range Ferry – 1,180 mi (1,024 nmi / 1,900 km)
Combat Radius – 300 mi (260 nmi / 480 km)
Minimum Load Service Ceiling – 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
Rate Of Climb – 2,500 ft/min (12.7 m/s) Armament
Guns – 1 X 30 mm (1.18 in) M230 Chain Gun W/1,200 Rounds (As Part Of Area Weapon Subsystem)
Hard Points – 4 X Pylons On Stub Wings Rockets Hydra 70 mm CRV7 70 mm APKWS 70 mm Air-To-Ground Missiles 8 X AGM-114 Hellfire 4 X AIM-92 Stinger Spike Missiles