Great info, but you do realize the original post/question was from 2013?

68GT

Is there a certain time period or serial number that the B models started to use the FLIR turret on the nose like shown above?

 

The Bravos with a FLIR on the nose are called Block I.  You also have Block -I (one minus) that are older birds converted to the newer standard.  The oldest birds were Block 0 and do not have provisions for nosemount FLIR or extended weapons pylons.

I do not know what Buno numbers they atarted to add the "diving board" to the Bravos but it was in the late 90's that the conversions started to happen.

Prior to that we used bomb rack mounted FLIR.  The AAS-44 as is currently used (mid 90's) or the earlier R2D2 style AAS-16 (early to mid 90's).  These both hung down from the bomb rack.  The earlier AAS-16 was FLIR only while the 44 has LASER range finding and targeting.  Either FLIR system will have a large box in the cabin tunnel that contains the control software.

The fun part with the data link is that it's shaped like a small upside-down CIWS phalanx, so lots of fun to scratch build!  I would recommend finding a small ball or bead and cutting it in half and gluing it to a tube or cylinder of the right size.  In 1/72 it shouldn't be too hard to find something the right size, 1/48 might be a bit harder.

Groot

Thanks,

I couldn't figure out why I had seen aircraft with the FLIR and without.  I'm not sure if the kit has the data link antenna cause I haven't looked at the kit in a while but figured I could make something close.

I'm an SH-60B pilot.  I've never seen the Japanese 60J up close.

The FLIR turrets on the SH-60B are actually removable.  FLIR came along several years after the SH-60B hit the fleet and was a later add-on package.  The turrets get moved between aircraft on a regular basis.  The new MH-60Rs all come with a FLIR installed.  If you google the 60B you can find pictures without the FLIR and a blank off plate on the nose.  So the short answer to your question is that any SH-60B that was still around when FLIR was modified for the aircraft, it has probably had one at some point.

Cobra Company does a great series of extra parts for the SH-60B in 1/48, if you also want the FLIR you will also need the Seahawk Sensor at the bottom of the 1/48 page.  

You can find a Revell 1/48 kit on Ebay here: www.ebay.com/.../331055115978

You can still find the Revell 60B's out there pretty often.

If you are set on 1/72, look closely at pictures online.  The box art looks like the data link antenna on the front is missing.  There should be a large round bulb on the underside of the aircraft between the two flat plates on the underside of the nose.  There are also several "bulbs" and antennas on the underside of the tail section and the top of the aircraft between the engines.  Other than sensors, looking at the box art alone, the 60J looks pretty close to the B.  Let me know if you have any other 60B questions.

Groot

Is there a certain time period or serial number that the B models started to use the FLIR turret on the nose like shown above?

Out of curiosity I went and looked. The SH-60B/F are being rebuilt into the MH-60R "Seahawk". The other type is the MH-60S "Knighthawk" replaces a bunch of older helos, UH-3H, HH-60H, CH-46D, and HH-1N.  There is a USCG version (In orange and White not ghost gray) HH-60J. The articles I looked at said the Japanese version is very close to the SH-60B, but has been upgraded with elements from the MH-60R.

Armycast M&M has this upgrade set for the B/F models.  Is there a certain time period or serial number that the B models started to use the FLIR turret on the nose?

Should be an easy swap.  The JMSDF SH-60J is VERY similar to the SH-60B.  j model is export of the Bravo used by the USN