To start with, a couple of old, poor quality images of one of the first AH's delivered to the Wattisham units. Of note is the missing Mast-mounted Longbow radar and four external fuel tanks on the stub pylons - the only time I have seen these fitted to AAC Apaches.

As of early 2009 (over three years after these images were taken) the external fuel tank has not been seen in use with AAC Apaches, and I believe may have only flown in early trials. US Army units no longer carry any external tanks during combat sorties, the practise of carrying a single tank to increase endurance having been dropped in favour of a extra internal tank in the 30mm ammuntion magazine.

The following series of close up images show ZJ203 at Abbey Fields, Colchester in July 2006. Starting at the front we have the forward avonics, both cockpits and the underslung 30mm cannon.

Moving to centre of the airframe and onto the stub pylons with stores, engine nacelles and rotor head.

Further aft and another angle of the engine nacelles and rear stowage bay. The strobes appear to be particularly powerful on a UK Apache.

Rotor head and mast-mounted radome. Unlike the US army, all the UK D models are fitted and I have yet to see a aircraft operating without a radome fitted.

Rear fuselage and tail rotor asembly. Note the position of the aircrafts serial number (ZJ203).

Centre fuselage and stores pylon again to the full height. Inital planning in the deployment of AAC Apache's called for a air-to-air anti-helicopter role with tip mounted Starstreak missiles. This has not been pursured and with other priorities now appears to have been dropped for good.

This image shows drill rounds of the two externally carried waepons used by AAC Apaches; AGM-114 Hellfire anti-armour missiles and CRV-7 unguided rockets, the later are carried within the 19 round pod. The pod is the same type as used by other air arms for the US 2.75" FFAR rocket, although the CRV-7 is unique to the WAH-64.

Overall view of ZJ203 on the pad at Colchester in 2006. The aircraft was configured in the then current operational standard with HIDAS fitted.

HIDAS (Helicopter Intergrated Defensive Aids System) sensor antenna in close up. This is the front nose fit, further sensors are mounted on the aft fuselage. Aircraft are not always fitted and the suite appears to move between airframes quite frequently.

The Apache's imagining sensors are all located in the nose. The Target Designation Sight unit (TADS), Pilots Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) and Electronic Warfare antenna - not forgetting a wirecutter!

The M230 30mm Chain Cannon is aligned with the gunners helmet sight.

The CRV-7 pod is usually carried on the outboard pylon with the quad Hellfire rails inboard. A single collective training missile (CTM).

Another unique feature of the WAH-64 is that they are powered by RTM322 engines (as fitted to RAF/RN Merlins) which provide greater power than the standard GE T700s fitted to other AH-64s. Currently however, this extra power is not actually available to the crew as the gearbox is not rated for the extra power.

Close up of the complex rotor head.

Flare dispenser and various HIDAS associated antenna fitted to the rear fuselage.

The hand holds fitted behind the rear cockpit that were used to great effect by 9 Regiment and the Royal Marines during the Jugroom Fort rescue in 2007.

Strobe light and speed and direction sensor that is freely mounted.

IR suppressed ducted exhaust.

Chaff dispenser fitted one side only. This is a standard multi-national fit.

Tailplane and the highly subdued serial number so much appreciated by number collectors!

Rear view of the unloaded CRV-7 70mm rocket pod. With the front cap removed the pod is identical to US rocket pods.

Both cockpits from the rear. The front seat is for the gunner/co-pilot and the rear is for the pilot - both have flight controls.

In 2006 photography inside the cockpit was forbidden, this has since changed.

Open panel showing detail inside the engine bay.

Another low down view of ZJ203 at the 2006 Cochester military festival - the only public display of a AAC Apache in that year. The AAC have since placed a Apache display on the airshow circuit. This was the 37th of 67 Apache aircraft delivered to the AAC and arrived at Wattisham for 3 Regiment in November 2005.

CRV rockets arranged infront of the aircraft.

ZJ203 crewed up and about to depart Abbey fields.

Just prior to rotors turning, which managed to cover the photographer in the freshly cut grass.

Departing the Colchester Military Festival and kicking up the grass. PNVS, TADS and the 30mm are rotated right.

ZJ173 was the aircraft on display at Colchester the following year. As can be seen on the nose it lacked the HIDAS fit, although mounting positions can clearly be seen.

A more restrained display in 2007, with only minimal stores on view and the TADS ball rotated inwards for protection.

2008 and hangar 5 at Wattisham showing ZJ209 undergoing maintenance.

Rather more intact with the main hatch to the engine bay open. The UK Apache is unique in being fitted with the Rolls Royce RTM322 engines (same powerplant as the Westland Merlin).

The opposite end of the airframe. As is usual practise, the TADS ball is rotated inwards when not in use. Our hosts said that the AAC would field the updated M-TADS next year.

Close up of the same airframes tail. Notice how roughly the serial number has been touched up.

A closer view of the same airframe. Until quite recently the AAC would not allow close up photographs of the avionics bays open although these restrictions have largely vanished now.

A close view of ZJ223's Hellfire racks and CRV-7 pods.

The other side of the same airframe when photographed in hangar 5 at Wattisham in May 2008.

Another view of the Hughes M230 30mm chain gun underneath the nose of the Apache. In common with US Apache units in Afghanistan, the 1200 round ammo bay has been reduced in capacity to fit a extra fuel tank for longer ranged operations as endurance is deemed to be more important intheatre.

Another view of the Longbow Fire Control Radar on the Apache mast head.

Outside on the main apron at Wattisham and ZJ191 is undergoing a ground run. Note from the discoloured frame work on the rear cockpit, the aircraft has recently been used for 'bag' training.

ZJ226 after having been pulled out of hangar 4 for photography. The main hangars at Wattisham used to be allocated to a particular unit before the squadrons standardized on the Apache. now they vary depending on the aircrafts maintenance state.

ZJ166 in hangar 5 in September 2008. This was the very first of 67 airframes built to the AH1 specification and was produced by Boeing in Mesa, along with seven other aircraft before production switched to Westlands in the UK.

The TADS ball on ZJ166, also rotated inward.

I was a little suprised that by September the last part of the aircraft that had remained off-limits to photography was no longer restricted. I had to ask a couple of times just to make sure! This is the front cockpit on ZJ166 and is the gunners/co-pilot position.

Photographing the rear pilots cockpit was a little more difficult given the added height and the low steps. With two high profile books recently published giving details of AAC Apache operations in Afghanistan it was becoming rather hard to justify the previous obsessive secrecy concerning the Apache force at Wattisham.

High shot looking down on the cockpit of another Apache. My thanks to the guides, SSgt Wharmby and Major Fennema (on a three year posting from the 101st AAD, USAR and whose spouse is a superb aviation artist), 662 Sqn, Army Air Corps and their parent unit, 3 Regiment for another excellent visit.

Looking back through hangar 5 with 4 visible behind. Apaches are generally parked in the hangars nose in.

This shot demonstrates the exact condition of the airframe when they are returned from Operation Herrick. ZJ224 had been trucked up from RAF Brize Norton following its return just a few hours before this pic was taken.

The upgraded M-TADS sight now being installed on AAC Apache's at Wattisham. The revised sight includes a new next generation Forward Looking Infra-Red sight for the pilot above the main targeting sensors. This, called the PNVS sight, was formally a single camera sensor turret which is now replaced by two sights. The first upgrades were only handed over to the AAC two months ago.

The front cockpit on ZJ183, one of the first M-TADS upgraded aircraft. The raised central MFD is part of the upgrade.

Originally, when the purchase of the Apache was first planned for the British Army and the aircraft would have been deployed in Germany with the BAOR, an air-to-air role against Soviet helicopters was planned for the Apache, using the Starstreak missile mounted on the end of the stub pylons. This role was largely overtaken by events in Europe and the Starstreak was dropped, so the position remained unused. As part of the HIDAS upgrade, the infra-red detection sensors have been moved from the rear of the fuselage to the stubs. It is widely accepted that the UK Apache is fitted with the finest defensive aids suite of all attack helicopters.

The front left avonics/electronics bay showing various line replacement units.

Further back and the centre electronics bay and 30mm cannon links running to the ammuntion magazine.

A extra HIDAS infra-red sensor is added to the underside of the boom on aircraft that have had the rear side mounted sensors moved to the wing stubs.

Aft right hand avonics bay and ground servicing panel.

ZJ182 in hangar 4 at Wattisham during a visit in February 2009 hosted by 664 Sqn, 4 Regiment. This aircraft also is fitted with the M-TADS upgrade.

The same airframe from the other side, complete with aircrew helmet! After the first two M-TADS upgrades were completed at Westlands, all further upgrades are being done at Wattisham.

Not a close up, but shows the nose mounted M-TADS upgrade that is appearing in greater numbers throughout the fleet. The system is marketed as 'Arrowhead' by Lockheed Martin.

The same aircraft turning for a low - level run across the field, with M-TADS pointing towards the camera.

Another new, but long delayed upgrade for the WAH-64 fleet is the ability to carry combat capable external fuel tanks, as the old larger ferry tanks were not suitable and had never been fielded by the AAC. The new RCEFS (Reduced Crashworthy External Fuel System) is believed to extend the aircraft's endurance by upto one hour, and with the internal fuel tank removed from the ammo bay, the 30mm stowage is restored to maximum again.

ZJ171 carrying the new RCEFS in the turn during some wingovers overhead Wattisham. It seems likely that only one tank will be fitted intheatre.