Italeri 1/48 SH-60B Seahawk
The Sikorsky Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter. It emerged during the mid-70s as the selected platform that would carry the latest and bulkiest Mark III Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) for maritime warfare, a suite that the already in service smaller Kaman Seasprite would not be able to carry.
The resulting Seahawk was essentially an extensively modified Blackhawk, in order to carry out its projected maritime tasks. Main changes were corrosion protection, more powerful T700 engines, single-stage oleo main landing gear, removal of the left side door, addition of two weapon pylons and modification of the tail landing gear (strengthened, utilizing twin wheels and shifted 13 ft forward in order to reduce the footprint for shipboard landing).
Other changes included larger fuel cells, an electric blade folding system, folding horizontal stabilators and addition of a 25-tube pneumatic sonobuoy launcher on the left side.
Deployed primarily aboard frigates, destroyers, and cruisers, the Seahawk's primary missions are surface and anti-submarine warfare. Its cmprehensive equipment includes, among others, a towed Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD), air-launched sonobuoys, the APS-124 search radar, the ALQ-142 ESM system and optional nose-mounted forward looking infrared (FLIR) turret.
Standard crew is one pilot, one ATO/copilot (Airborne Tactical Officer) and an enlisted Aviation Warfare Systems Operator (Sensor Operator).
Established on 25 September 1987 at NAS North Island, the “Saberhawks” of HSL-47 Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR SEVEN employed the Seahawk.
In 2009 HSL-47 transitioned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN. They were attached to CVW-2 and the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group and deployed for the first time with the upgraded MH-60R.
This the very nice Italeri kit, that I decided to build as a present to a now retired Navy Commander and friend, who spent a good portion of his career as a Seahahw flight engineer. Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/mod/us/usn/helo/penh60.htm
Happy Modelling!
Hi Spiros
I do like the weathering on your helicopter. It's another fine model.
Thanks my friend @christopher!
Beautiful work done on this Seahawk, Spiros @fiveten
The informative article with all the technical background is doing your build justice.
Paintwork and weathering are excellent.
Well done.
Thanks my friend @johnb!
A very subtly weathered and convincing finish on this chopper, Spiros, does your model have electrically folding rotor blades? It must take up a lot of room in your display space, how’s the planning permission coming along?
Thanks my friend @chinesegeorge! Still on negotiations...
Happy as ever for another one on the shelves of Spiros Model works!
Thanks my friend @mvtb!
Really nice job on this all round Spiros , well done mate.
Thanks my friend @neil-foster!
@fiveten - great build and great write up Spiros! Obviously incredibly well researched. I'm sure your friend will be incredibly happy to receive this gift. Also a very nice way to thank him for his service.
Thanks my friend @brithebuilder! My friend liked it a lot indeed!
Awesome build, Spiros...weathering and detail looks top-notch!
Thanks my friend @jroamer!
Nice job on this whoppy chopper.
Thanks my friend @gwskat!
The photos on this form look even better. Read your article on M2 . The further adventures of Spiros keep on improving with each article and build. Spiros, you can tell on this build that when building for a friend a little more TLC has gone into this project making it special. Something you can give to a friend and be proud of.
Two thumbs up.
Thanks so much my friend @stephen-w-towle!
Hey Spiros that's a great build with very subtle weathering.
Very nice 😊 good detailed read too 👍
Thanks my friend @thom!
That's very nice - the paintwork is realistic and gives a great result.
Thanks my friend @tcinla!
Another outstanding and very realistic completion. The weathering on this chopper is perfect Spiros@fiveten.
Thanks my friend @eb801!
That helicopter build looks very good Spiros.
Thanks my friend @bernardbedeur!
Outstanding work Spiros, Very realistic weathering/scheme. I spent about two years in a navy Reserve SH2 Seasprite squadron., I eventually lucked out and went back to fixed wing.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Thanks my friend @roofrat! What a cool machine the Seasprite is!
Great work, Spiros. I like this one alot.
Thanks my friend @jhealy!
She's a beauty Spiros, great weathering and this is an impressive build!
Thanks my friend @v1pro!
Truly nice work on this Spiros. I love the Seahawk.
Thanks so much, my friend @bapowellphys!
Hey, something with stars and bars on it! Looks great - nicely weathered.
Thanks so much, my friend @gkittinger!