Hello Hightower
Depending on your interests i personally would go with one of the 1/35 MRC/Academy UH-1C Huey models. They detail is very good and they go together very well and have plenty of options for PE. Check out the Vietnam Huey thread for pictures or have a look at the UH-1C Mustang post by Intruder_Bass for pictures of what can be done with the Academy models and eduard sets.
I dont build helo's in 1/48 though i do have an Italeri OH-58 A Kiowa in 1/48 sitting here that is well detailed. I only build Vietnam era helicopters so im not to clued up on modern 1/48 helo's, but im sure the guys on here can help out.
If your looking to pick a scale 1/35 is the best if you like your detail, but if your looking to build a big collection 1/72 has the more variety and takes up less room space. I tend to stay away from 1/48 due to restrictions on detail.
Andy
While the rest of the crew may be in the same predicament, it's almost always the pilot's job to arrive at the crash site first.