Hobby Master 1/72 HH1204 AH-64D Longbow 2067 120th Sqn RSAF 2016

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 deadly machines over the battle field.

In 1968 the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) was formed and in 1975 it became the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RASF). In 1969 the first and oldest operational squadron, the 120 “Kestrel’ Squadron (aka Red Hawks) was created. The 120 Squadron is a helicopter unit located at Sembawang Air Base and since 2006 is equipped with the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter. Boeing serial SN018 is RSAF 2067 and can be equipped with varied payloads of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 rockets and a 30mm Chain Gun.