gavman

Like the Forces of Valor 1:72 scale F-14 Tomcat, this model was available for pre-order on www.KBToys.com for US$19.99 about a month ago and is clearly marked in a smaller font as being "FOR AGES OVER 8."

Again, like the Tomcat, what stands out about this helicopter are all of the recessed panel lines that I am assuming have been obsessively outlined using markers. Furthermore, the fasteners (rivets?) are very prominent. The weathered appearance of the helicopter simulates grime accumulating on the rivets, among other things. Unlike the picture available at www.forcesofvalor.com the ordinance is comprised of:

Two (2) Hydra rocket pods
Two (2) pylons of four (4) Hellfire missiles (not 4)
Absolutely NO Sidewinders, auxilary fuel tanks, or Sidearms

The rocket pods and Hellfires have tabs that fit into the slots on the pylons mounted on the stub wings. The rotors rotate, the cockpit and the engine cowlings open, and the Chain Gun and sensor pod rotate and move up-and-down. The crew includes two pilots.

This Apache is a 1991 Persian Gulf War-era U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division helicopter.

In comparison with the Model Power 1:48 scale Apaches, the most obvious difference is in the packaging. You get a big-@$$ box with the MPs since the main rotor blade is fully-assembled. Three pieces must be attached before the four-bladed rotor is ready for service on the FOV model. Other features of the MPs are: rotating rotor blades; a non-rotating chain gun, but the sensor pod does rotate; less-prominent rivet patterns; undifferentiated weapons, since the rocket pods and Hellfires are painted the same as the rest of the helicopter (at least with the Olive Drab version); real handholds and footrests; and two pilots.