Osprey Publishing

Apache Ah-64 Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) 1976-2005

by Chris Bishop

Reviewed By Dick Christ, #18127

Osprey publishing as recently released two books on the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.  This book, number 3 in the New Vanguard series, is a general history of the development and fielding of both versions of the Apache, the AH-64A and AH-64D.  The soft cover book contains 48 pages with 46 photographs and six illustrations/ color plate pages.

The text is divided into three sections: development, Apache in action, and Apache operators.  The development section discusses the Huey Cobra and Cheyenne programs that precede the initiation of the Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) program.  This leads into the development of the AH-64A and AH-64D.  The next section covers the operational usage of the AH-64.  This includes operations in Panama, the former Yugoslavia, both Gulf wars, and Afghanistan.  This section includes first hand accounts by Apache crews.  The last section gives all of the Apache operators.

The operational section, in particular the crew accounts, are an interesting read.   The errors and omissions in the development section are distracting.  No mention is made in the weapons section of the air-to-air Stinger capability.  The British Starstreak AAM is referred to as the Helstreak.  Some of the photo captions are incorrect.  There are several errors with respect design decisions made during the development of the AH-64. Perhaps the most glaring error is the multiple references to the Sikorsky OH-58 rather than the Bell OH-58.  The section on the various operators does not explain the equipment peculiar to the foreign Apache operators.

Overall, the operational stories are an interesting read.  As a history of the Apache program or as a modeler’s reference, there are better and more accurate books available.

The list price for this book is $14.95 and I purchased my copy from Avalon Books and Hobbies in Scottsdale, AZ.

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