My Roban 700 Apache "Longbow" build

[RCjetdude]

All back together now and waiting on a 3 color NATO paint scheme.

[Alpha]

That is premier level, Steve! It looks so great just sitting there, chocks and all. I can't wait to see the finished result. Are you in the paint booth right now? Color me Impatient.

[RCjetdude]

Not just yet. I am wanting to put together a quick video of all the mods I have made to it so far. The list is quite extensive.

[DCORSAIR]

Not just yet. I am wanting to put together a quick video of all the mods I have made to it so far. The list is quite extensive.

When you say mods, are they to make it fly better or are you talking about looks? I was going to order the 800 UH-1N or the 700 Cobra, but after seeing your Apache I am really thinking about getting one, but if it needs all these mods and work to get it flying then I might pass on it, how would you rate it out of the box as far as flying it stock, vibrations and blade balance, things like that. I don't have a 450KV motor but I do have a 530kv, your headspeed looks good.

[RCjetdude]

When you say mods, are they to make it fly better or are you talking about looks? I was going to order the 800 UH-1N or the 700 Cobra, but after seeing your Apache I am really thinking about getting one, but if it needs all these mods and work to get it flying then I might pass on it, how would you rate it out of the box as far as flying it stock, vibrations and blade balance, things like that. I don't have a 450KV motor but I do have a 530kv, your headspeed looks good.

My mods are to make it look more scale. It flies great stock. I have not had too much trouble with vibration on it. I statically CG'd the blades and made sure they at least weighed the same in pairs. Once it has been tracked, it is good to go. I highly recommend it.

[DCORSAIR]

My mods are to make it look more scale. It flies great stock. I have not had too much trouble with vibration on it. I statically CG'd the blades and made sure they at least weighed the same in pairs. Once it has been tracked, it is good to go. I highly recommend it.

Thanks for the answer, tracking is always an issue usually at first then once you get that right, then things seem to smooth out even better once you get the blades all balanced. Well yours looks awesome thats for sure, I am not sure mine will look like that once built, I just don't have the time to do all those little details it needs to look more scale. So would you say your motor is about right for it or a 450KV would be okay as well, thanks. Really looking at it, might just pull the trigger tomorrow.

[RCjetdude]

I am using an Egodrift Tengu 515kV motor and playing with the head speed to try and get it a little lower without vibration. I think my motor is a happy medium. You don't want to over size it and have to reduce your max throttle so low to keep the head speed down and you don't want to under size it and make it work hard to keep the head speed up. My Max throttle right now is set at 73 where it had been 80.

[RCjetdude]

I finished with the base camo paint. Next is the black accent stripes. It's really looking good. Paint is Tamiya NATO Brown and NATO Green Acrylics free-handed through an airbrush.

[F106DeltaDart]

Looks great! Awesome work Steve!

[Hardway]

Nice!!!!!!!!

[scootergenie]

Bang up ! Nice tight borders on that free hand airbrush camo. Keep going !

[RCjetdude]

The black stripes really help it to 'pop'!

[Alpha]

Steve + =

[RCjetdude]

All the stripes are done. Now for some graphics, finally....

[DCORSAIR]

Looks awesome Steve 👍

I still haven't talked myself into getting one yet, still got my heart set on the Cobra, but when I keep looking at yours, well it is growing on me

[RCjetdude]

Looks awesome Steve 👍

I still haven't talked myself into getting one yet, still got my heart set on the Cobra, but when I keep looking at yours, well it is growing on me

Thank you sir. Been working on this for almost 6 months now. When complete I plan to post a list of everything I have done on it.

[RCjetdude]

Ok. Not terribly happy with how the waterslides turned out that came in the kit. I should have used some decal setting solution but live and learn. I am calling it done on paint. May do some weathering still but all in all it looks good. Now if that helical main gear would just show up.

[DCORSAIR]

I know what you mean about the water slide decals, I tried to put them on my AH-6, not so good, the next morning, they peeled right back off, sent an email to Callie with measurements and she came through with some nice ones, can't wait to see how they look, hope yours stay on your Apache, makes it really look great.

[scootergenie]

What if you went over the whole thing with some matte clear coat to capture the decals ? Looks great btw.

[Elbee]

Ok. Not terribly happy with how the waterslides turned out that came in the kit. I should have used some decal setting solution.]

RCJD, You can still use a setting solution. Micro-Scale "Micro Sol" is applied after a decal is on the model. It will soften the decal and as it dries it will 'settle' onto the surface and minimize the 'silvering' you are experiencing. You can keep applying it, too, though it will be pretty much a 'one side at a time' task since it is best to let it lay it on a flat surface and allowed to dry thoroughly. It works, just takes time. Best, LB