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Ramon R. Lomeli
49 articles

Italeri 1/48 SH-60J Seahawk

December 24, 2013 · in Aviation · · 12 · 2.6K

Hello All!

Here is my 1/48 scale SH-60 Seahawk finished in Japanese colors. Although I am not as pleased with this one as I am with my OH-58D, a great man once told me, " I know where all the mistakes are, but I won't tell you!"

I have been building models since I was 9, with a few breaks here and there. About 3 years ago I was able to start getting back into it, and this kit was going to be a warm-up and practice run for when I build my birds from my army days. My wife lived and worked in Japan for a few years before we were married, so she suggested I build this one up as a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.

Built not quite OOB, I added an Eduards interior set, only to be frustrated by how it came out and my lack of decent PE folding tools, so I closed up the cabin door and only left the pilot's door open. I scratch-built the HF towel rack antenna out of sheet plastic and wire, and took my best guess at what the torpedoes should look like based on my less than successful attempt at finding photo references online.

Overall, it was a fun kit to build, although there are a few areas where some extra patience is an asset. It was a nice break from all the other grey stuff I have been making, and now its sitting in my own little personal museum at my cubicle at work.

Cheers!

-Ramon

Reader reactions:
5  Awesome

7 additional images. Click to enlarge.


12 responses

  1. Beautiful, and the fact you did almost no weathering is great! I spent 4 years stationed at NAF Atsugi Japan and was always amazed at how clean and pristine the JMSDF kept their aircraft. I mean you could eat of of their hangar floors. Anyway very nice 60!

    • when I was researching online, it was hard to find a dirty bird! they must spend a lot of time on the wash rack! still, i know even the cleanest of aircraft get dirty, so i wanted to portray it after some hard flying, before it gets washed again...

      thanks for the kind words!

  2. Another great build there Ramon.
    Helicopters are another breed when it comes to modelling, and you have seemed to of mastered it very well.
    Well done sir.
    Look forward to seeing more of your builds..

  3. I agree...nice-lookin' build.

  4. beautiful ramon...the detail is outstanding

  5. Nice build with subtle weathering and detailing, and I like the outside photography again. You mean your wife understands you?!

    • thanks George, i like taking outside pics because you just cant beat daylight for good lighting. also, i didnt say my wife understands me, but at least she is tolerant of me! 🙂

  6. Ramon,
    What can I say except this gorgeous. My compliments to your wife for suggesting that you do this model in the Japanese scheme. The JMSDF would be very happy with how you have brought one of their aircraft to life.

  7. This looks great Ramon. Nicely weathered with interesting marking scheme. The outdoor photography really adds to it as well. The words of the wise man are wise. I tell that to people who are reluctant to speak publicly at work because they will mess it up. I keep saying that you are the only one who knows what you were going to say so no one will be able to tell the difference.

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