or are there any essays? i think id struggle at essays
There are essay exams as well as MCQ for Modules 7, 9 and 11 exams in all Categories. There is no need to be scared of them. If you can write a simple technical report you can pass the essay. If you cannot do that you are in the wrong job. You need to learn the EASA requirements for the essay and adhere to them, that's all. And you need to know the subject matter; if you get enough key points into the essay you'll pass.
Re the experience, here are the rules (1149/2011), make of them what you will. The key phrase is "Operating aircraft". I understand that this includes military, other jurisdictions than EASA (eg FAA) and so on. You probably need to ask the NAA that you deal with exactly what they would say about Apache experience, but it is within "experience on operating aircraft" in my opinion. What is required is basic aircraft maintenance skills and experience, and that is the pretty much the same for rotary and fixed wing, it seems to me. But I'm not the CAA!
66.A.30 Basic experience requirements
(a) An applicant for an aircraft maintenance licence shall have acquired:
1. for category A, subcategories B1.2 and B1.4 and category B3:
(i) 3 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft, if the applicant has no previous relevant technical training; or
(ii) 2 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of training considered relevant by the competent authority as a skilled worker, in a technical trade; or
(iii) 1 year of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of a basic training course approved in accordance with Annex IV (Part-147);
2. for category B2 and subcategories B1.1 and B1.3:
(i) 5 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft if the applicant has no previous relevant technical training; or
(ii) 3 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of training considered relevant by the competent authority as a skilled worker, in a technical trade; or
(iii) 2 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of a basic training course approved in accordance with Annex IV (Part-147);