Academy 1:35 MH-60S , only a rumor ?

Just rumors so far.  I have it on good authority that they worked up the CAD and are toying with the idea of actually cutting molds.   Don't hold your breath though.  Like you say, its been a rumor since at least '04.  I would convert it.  It is actually a pretty easy conversion using a 1/35 MH-60G or MH-60L as the base.

Well then thank you for those news !

It's just as I thought , I'm gonna do it myself and please Academy don't come up with one when my Sierra is done !

I would recommend everybody who wants to build a MH-60S to take the Academy AH-60L DAP BLACK HAWK #2217 as a base , it has the single stub wings , a folding horizontal stabilizer and the Hellfire missiles with the launchers plus the 19 shot Hydra launchers .

The only thing that could be tricky is the tailfold-mechanism , next would be the main rotor maybe folded and the glass cockpit .

A smaller task is the FLIR with its mount .

And now its research time ... 

Representing the Navy head could be a of a challenge unless there is an aftermarket product.  Some small changes could make the Academy head look the part though.  Although it is the same basic head, the blade fold system on the Navy a/c really changes the look.  If you want to go with a Navy head and have to scratch it, it shouldn't bei too hard to make it look the part though.  There is a Seahawk in our hangar right now and I may be able to get a shot or two of the head along with shots of an Army head for comparrison.  BTW, the Seahawk is folded and ready for shipment.

As Mac says, the folding, Naval rotor head does look different.  You can modify the Academy non-folding head to look like it though.  I did so on my 1/35 USCG MH-60J.

To do so, you have to angle the rotor blade roots and add the hinge mechanisms.

The finished product (mostly, I later added the domed cover on top of the roror head):

More here.

I like the way you did that Gino.  It looks like some pretty simple changes that capture the look of the Navy head.  Kudos to you for the scissor links on the swashplate too.  They are a very prominent feature of the rotor system to me, yet they are omitted in kits and on the after market.

Thanks Screaminghelo ! I would appreciate it if you could show some details of the navalized version .

There is one in your hangar and ready for shipment ??? So you need my address !

The only helos I was able to take pictures of are European or Russian like Hind's or Hip's .

The JayHawk  looks really nice but I prefer the low-vis style , it's still a nice example I wonder why nobody takes care of the NAVY versions ?

The only noteworthy company making remarkably exterior conversions is isradecal.com . They have the MH-60K BlackHawk style upswept ESSS pylons .

Of course there are Werner's Wings , Cobracompany but they make only minor conversions / upgrades .

So I gonna have to cannibalise the Academy AH-60L DAP Blackhawk kit ...

 P.S. does anyone know what's up with NightFlightModels ? I don't remember when and where I've read about them , their  'website is currently under construction. 
If you wish to contact NightFlight Models please use the following link...' I did so but no answer yet !

They have announced several NAVY / MARINE CORPS resin helicopters in 1:35 .

Thanks for the compliments on the Jayhawk.  It was a fun, but a really involved conversion.  I do like how it came out though.

The only noteworthy company making remarkably exterior conversions is isradecal.com . They have the MH-60K BlackHawk style upswept ESSS pylons .

Isradecal does make some great sets.  They are Israeli specific though.  The upswept ESSS wings are not used on the MH-60K.  They were only tested and not accepted by the US military.  When used, the MH-60K uses the standard, downswept ESSS wings seen on other Blackhawks.

P.S. does anyone know what's up with NightFlightModels ? I don't remember when and where I've read about them , their 'website is currently under construction.
If you wish to contact NightFlight Models please use the following link...' I did so but no answer yet !

They have announced several NAVY / MARINE CORPS resin helicopters in 1:35 .

Yo mean "Fly-By-Night Models"?  They never got off the ground and were nothing more than CG vaporware.  They have been gone for a while now.

 I am having a little trouble hooking up with someone to talk to about the Navy pics.  The hangar it is in is run by those who only fly at night with interesting thingys on their aircraft and I don't want to go in there and just snapping pictures.  I don't think that it would be a big deal but I don't want to end up eating concrete either.  I am still trying and am off the flight schedule tomorrow and it doesn't look like there will be too much maintenance.  Keep your fingers crossed that I will have success.

Ok HeavyArty thank you for your information about the MH-60K . I was thinking to buy the Isradecal set it's good to know about a project before starting to build it !

This is what I was thinking to build

 The owner is visible and we all know where it was taken !

So what is this helo ? Only a test flight ?

I'm still hoping that Academy will bring out a new helicopter in 1:35 no matter what bird it will be or even Trumpeter they have been busy with airplanes and armor but forgot about the helicopter community ... 

It appears that this photo may have been taken about 15 years ago, I believe that the MH-60K entered service around 94, which leads me to believe that the picture is likely a publicity photo.  If memory serves, the up swept, single point external stores support were originally part of the package.  After evaluation the U.S. military decided that they were not effective and opted for the more familiar two point ESSS. 

An update on the Seahawk pictures.  I got to the flight line this morning and it was out on the line and unfolded.  Taking pics on the flight line is a no no here, so I will have to wait for another opportunity.

This is what I was thinking to build...  

The owner is visible and we all know where it was taken !

So what is this helo ? Only a test flight ?

As Mac says, that was one of the original test birds in a publicity photo from the early '90s.

This is the configuration that the US military went with for the MH-60K:

They can mount the standard, downswept ESSS wings, but rarely do. 

HeavyArty

They can mount the standard, downswept ESSS wings, but rarely do. 

And I am quite thankful for that.  With wings and tanks, the gas lasts longer than my bladder.

Gents,

 In an effort to resurrect a dead thread (google found it for me)...  check out the back of this month's FSM.  It's now available on Amazon for $69.99 a copy.  They've also made it to ebay (for sale by Academy).  I expect they'll be hitting shops soon.

Groot

I"m definitely drooling on this one.  Hopefully someone will put out some decals for this HSC-22 paint job.  I had actually purchased one of the Academy 1/35 blackhawks with the intent of converting it, but I may hold off for this kit.  I wonder if I can purchase the new sprue and just have it and build two?  Will academy sell individual sprues?

Groot

Bought one today. A little pricey but looks like a nice kit

If you don't mind, where did you snag it from?  I have only seen them on amazon and ebay thus far, none of the traditional sites like squadron, sprue brothers, etc.

Groot

Alright, finally I´ve got my box 2 weeks ago, after I´ve started this one back in 2011! 

Most of the parts are well known, but Academy did it again just like with the AH-1W #12702.

This one had the wrong TSU, this Sierra has some nice parts but there are no clear parts for the FLIR.

Would it be too hard to add some tiny parts to the clear parts sprue C ? This is the new one with the Navy windows and missile detector parts.

Next one is has anyone seen a Sierra loaded with miniguns in the windows? The only armament I know about is in the front M240B, cargo doors GAU-21. Which means DO NOT use the weapons in the kit!!!

Well after this complaining on a high comfort level I still like the kit. I`ve seen a discussion at the arcforum that wernerswings Floyd is thinking about a decal set for this one.  Go ahead !!!

Or maybe Fireball Modelworks...? Is there something out yet or planned? I`m talking about a low vis scheme not a CAG bird.

There will be a resin set out soon that will correct some of the issues, update basic Academy failings, and give you the correct GAU-21s and their mounts.  Stay tuned for a review soon.

I knew that you gonna answer Gino... you were the one at the arcforum talking to Floyd am I right ?

Who is bringing it out? Will there be a decal set (low-vis) as well ?

And what happend to the NightFlight Models projects, have they completed something ?

The set will be from Cobra Company, it will be a resin only detail / correction set.  I should have it by late next week for review.  I know of nothing in the way of decals for the MH-60S.

NightFlight never got past the vaporware stage; all smoke and mirrors.  Nothing ever came about from them and they are long gone.

For anyone interested, I just saw today that Cobra Company already has a resin update set for the MH-60S.  I just ordered it, I'll toss up some thoughts after I receive it, but I expect it will be his usual excellent quality.  Looks like there are intakes, a couple seats, internal paneling for the cabin, a couple door guns, an internal fuel tank, chaff/flare buckets, an IR jammer, fire extinguishers, and a few other items that are too small for me to accurately make out in the pictures. It's $38 and you can look at it at this link:  CLICK HERE

Still nothing at Werner's Wings just yet, but I'll keep checking as I can.

Groot

RobGroot4

For anyone interested, I just saw today that Cobra Company already has a resin update set for the MH-60S. 

Yup, that is the one I just received.  A review will be along shortly.