AH - 64A “Apache” - the American attack helicopter

The AH-64A “Apache” is the most successful combat helicopter of the Cold War. Used in combat conditions in the war in the Persian Gulf in 1991 and repeatedly used in Israel's conflicts with the Arabs, it showed its excellent properties and extraordinary efficiency. Its later versions are still in use and will be for a long time to come, as there is no equivalent competitor in sight in the near future. In 1972, when the development program for the Lockheed AH-56 “Cheyenne” became too expensive and no improvement in combat performance was seen, it was decided to build a new generation of combat helicopter. Bell and Hughes Aircraft companies participated in the competition, announced in 1973, and both companies received contracts for the construction of the prototype. Hughes' helicopter, designated the YAH-64, took off ahead of its competition: September 30, 1975, Bell one day later. Both prototypes are armed with new missiles developed by their companies. Testing and development lasted quite a long time, but in 1981 Hughes won and signed a contract with the US Army for the production of a dozen copies. The first serial AH-64A “Apache” was produced in 1983 and a year later Hughes was bought by McDonnell-Douglas, but in 1997 it was also "swallowed" by Boeing. And until now, "Apache" is produced under the Boeing brand, but at the same factory. Since August 1987, US units in Europe have been supplied with these proven helicopters. Between 1984 and 1997, 937 "Apache" were produced, of which even 831 entered the US Army Aviation, exported to Israel (26), Greece (20), Saudi Arabia (12), UA Emirates (30). The remaining 28 machines are factory property (prototypes, pre-production helicopters) or machines, that have been converted to the AH-64D version before delivery to the customer.

A complex, beautiful and well-designed and richly detailed model represents the US Army Air Combat Helicopter AH-64A " Apache". A model for real "aces" of aviation modelers.