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Spiros Pendedekas
156 articles

Italeri 1/48 SH-60B Seahawk

January 21, 2023 · in Aviation · · 36 · 0.9K

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.

An emergency flotation system was originally installed in the main landing gear stub wing fairings, but was subsequently removed, as it was found to be impractical and possibly impeding emergency egress. First flight occurred at the end of 1979, but it was not before 1984 that the type entered operational service.

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.

Munitions carried include the Mk 46, Mk 50, or Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo, AGM-114 Hellfire missile, and a single cabin-door-mounted M60D/M240 7.62 mm (0.30 in) or GAU-16 .50 in (12.7 mm) machine gun.

Standard crew is one pilot, one ATO/copilot (Airborne Tactical Officer) and an enlisted Aviation Warfare Systems Operator (Sensor Operator).

Apart from the United States, variants are in service with another 14 countries. With 938 units built so far and effectively upgraded, this very successful helicopter is to remain in service well into the 2030s.

Established on 25 September 1987 at NAS North Island, the “Saberhawks” of HSL-47 Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR SEVEN employed the Seahawk.

From then on they have been at the forefront of helicopter operations in the Pacific Fleet, having established an outstanding reputation.

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.

Since 2015 the squadron has operated aboard USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group as a member of Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) in support of Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Japan.

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!

Reader reactions:
15  Awesome

36 responses

  1. Hi Spiros
    I do like the weathering on your helicopter. It's another fine model.

  2. 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.

  3. 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?

  4. Happy as ever for another one on the shelves of Spiros Model works!

  5. Really nice job on this all round Spiros , well done mate.

  6. @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.

  7. Awesome build, Spiros...weathering and detail looks top-notch!

  8. Nice job on this whoppy chopper.

  9. 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.

  10. Hey Spiros that's a great build with very subtle weathering.
    Very nice 😊 good detailed read too 👍

  11. That's very nice - the paintwork is realistic and gives a great result.

  12. Another outstanding and very realistic completion. The weathering on this chopper is perfect Spiros@fiveten.

  13. That helicopter build looks very good Spiros.

  14. 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.

  15. Great work, Spiros. I like this one alot.

  16. She's a beauty Spiros, great weathering and this is an impressive build!

  17. Truly nice work on this Spiros. I love the Seahawk.

  18. Hey, something with stars and bars on it! Looks great - nicely weathered.

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