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1/35 USCG MH-60J Jayhawk Conversion

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
1/35 USCG MH-60J Jayhawk Conversion
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 6:25 AM

I have started a project that I have wanted to do for quite some time.  I love the look of the USCG MH-60J with its bright colors.  I have built up the courage and started cutting plastic.

There isn't any kit of the HH/MH-60J Jayhawk in any scale.  There are a couple great conversion sets by Fireball Modelworks in 1/72 and Cobra Company in 1/48, but I wanted a big one w/lots of detail.  I have wanted to do one for a while, but I prefer to build large helos.  After watching The Guardian on TV recently, it peaked my interest in doing a Jayhawk.

I started gathering reference materials and figuring out how to do it using a 1/35 Academy MH-60G kit.  I will be using the Cobra Company open UH-60 exhausts, along with a couple of the interior bulkheads that I mastered for Cobra.  I will also use parts of their MH-60L correction set (widened step sponsons, rear wall, one piece intakes) and parts from the MH-60L SOAR set (which I think is now the MH-60G set).  Once I thought about it, it doesn't look like it will be too hard.

Here is what I will be building, the armed MH-60J version:


I have started by closing in the fuselage on both sides.  I had to cut off the door fairings on the port side and half of the starboard side fairing. 


And working on the interior bulkheads.


I'll keep you updated as this project develops.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Buffalo NY
Posted by Thehannaman2 on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:49 PM
Very cool looking project.  Where are you going to source decals from?

Justen

"The distance between genius and insanity is measured only by success."

Member IPMS Niagara Frontier. "The BuffCon Boys."

IPMSUSA Member 45680 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:38 AM

Thanks.  I already have the decals covered.  Joseph Osborne of Fireball Modelworks scaled up his 1/48th MH/HH-60J Jayhawk decals for me.  They look awesome.

I made some more progress last night and will post some more pics soon.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Friday, October 17, 2008 6:18 PM

Off to a great start. always good to start with some putty and scratch building. Builds character!! Banged Head [banghead]

I'll be watching for the next update!!

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    October 2005
Posted by CG Bob on Sunday, October 19, 2008 7:57 PM
Actually the HH-60J is the standard rescue version.  As the Jayhawk fleet gets modernized, the new designator will be MH-60T Jayhawk.  The MH-60T upgrades include weapons and armor.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, October 20, 2008 12:06 AM

I guess the interim ones, updated HH-60Js w/guns and armor on the crew door, are being labeled as MH-60Js.  You can see it on the tail of the Elizabeth City bird below.  This one is my major reference.  There are 62 pics of it at Prime Portal.  Mine will be an MH from Clearwater CGAS though.

I should have some more pics up today.  Working on the interior now.

 

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 5:34 AM

Here is the latest progress.  I have finished closing in the fuselage and added rivet details and cut out the steps.  I also added the rooftop hard points for the ESSS wing connections and fairings around the landing gear and door cargo opening.


On the inside, I cut out all the mounting points in the floor using a template someone posted at one of the helo sites, sorry I don't remember who.  Then I sheethed the floor using lead foil and pressed it into the openings.  Then I placed small rings using the insulation off of copper wire into each.  The instrument panel, console, and collectives are from the CC set.  I added the extended glare shield to the kit glare shield as well.  The floor under the pilots seats was opened to show the radio bays.  And a map case was made from sheet styrene.  One rudder pedal went AWOL, so I made one out of styrene to replace it.


Lastly, I have added the details to the sliding port side windows and starboard cargo door.

Next up are the rear cabin details.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 6:39 AM

Gino - Nice custom work...can't wait to see the cockpit work.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    October 2005
Posted by CG Bob on Friday, October 24, 2008 12:10 PM
 HeavyArty wrote:
   Mine will be an MH from Clearwater CGAS though.
I stationed at CGAS Clearwater Facilities Engineering (Public Works) from 1998-2002.  I was a CWO4, and ran the buildings and grounds maintenance programs.  I always remember pilots coming over and wanting to add to or change an existing building or erect a new building.  The USCG Civil Engineering program has a program that it uses for major building repair and new construction; and the pilots didn't seem to understand it.  My counter offer to them was why we can't go to the hardware store and buy some pipe flanges and pipe to mount an M-60 machine gun inside the aircraft door - their response was that Aviation Engineering had a program that had to be followed for modifying the aircraft.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, October 26, 2008 10:28 AM
Yup, those pilots can be hard-headed.  Making more progress.  I'll update you in a couple days.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Casa Grande, Az.
Posted by DesertRat on Sunday, October 26, 2008 9:22 PM
She's an awesome build so far! I really appreciate this one too. We used to get a bunch of those and the Dolphins too at JFTB Los AlamitosCool [8D]

Warmest regards,

Roger

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, November 10, 2008 6:07 AM

Here is the latest update.  I have completed the construction of the rear cabin.  The side walls, roof, and rear wall are all scratch.  The radio rack is as well.





I also added various access panels on the fuselage.

And the tail fold hinges, which does not fold by the way.

I have strated painting the interior.  I hope to have some more pictures as I get the interior done soon.  I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for looking.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: SE Alabama
Posted by Retired Gunpilot on Monday, November 10, 2008 6:21 PM

Looking good Gino...Can't wait to see more.

Charlie

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Monday, November 10, 2008 9:22 PM

Gino - Nice scratch details. In this work of AM accessories the art of scratch building is sometimes lost.

Nice radio rack. The little access panels had to be a Censored [censored].

Always love your cockpit work....waiting to see that next.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 12:09 AM
Thanks for the comments guys.  The access panels really weren't that bad.  They are 0.010 sheet stryrene cut to shape, then glued in place onto the fuselage.  More to come.  I'll keep you posted.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 11:44 AM

More progress over the last week or so.  I have laid the paint on the interior and started adding details.  I forgot to take pics before starting to install the interior, so this is the best I have. 

Staboard inner wall with hoist controls.

Port side w/interior installed.  The web seat is made out of lead foil and styrene rod.  The crew seats along the back wall are the left over pilots seats with new frames and Eduard PE belts. 


Cockpit with Cobra Company seats, instrument panel, center console, and collectives and cyclic handles.  All detail painting done by hand.

Roof and overhead console.  The air duct work is done in A & B putty.

Finally, the scratch-built rescue basket.  Made out of 0.020 brass rod soldered and super glued together, bridal viel toole for the mesh bottom, and A & B putty for the flotation rolls on either end.

Hope you like it.  Now onto painting all the gear to go inside.  Thanks for looking.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: SE Alabama
Posted by Retired Gunpilot on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:29 PM

Excellent work Gino, I really like the lead foil you used for the seats. I have been thinking of what to use to build the bench seats seeing none of the model manufactures build very good bench seats. Where did you get the lead foil? The next helicopter model I will definitely build my own bench seats.

Again, great work and can't wait to see more, but also understand it takes a lot of time doing out of the box detailing.

Charlie

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:24 PM

Gino - The seats are good, the radio rack, is very good, the controls are excellent but the basket is FANTASTIC!!!!! Bow [bow]

I am totally in awe. Nice work!

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Australia
Posted by Helo H-34 on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 10:00 PM

AWESOME HeavyArty , you guy's with your 1/35 scale Helicopter builds leave me speachless . The amount of detail work that goes on is truly incredible .Thumbs Up [tup]

                                               Kindest regards John

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 10:52 PM

Thanks guys.  The basket was a pain in the @$$ to get together and it isn't perfectly square, but I like how it turned out.  This is a fun project, I really like adding all the extra details inside.

Where did you get the lead foil?

It is from the neck of a wine bottle, a nice Tuscany, 2001 vintage I believe...  Unfortunately, I brought just the foil with me to Iraq, not the full bottle.  Make a Toast [#toast] Big Smile [:D]

I'll put up another update when the interior is complete with gear and all.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Lafayette, LA
Posted by Melgyver on Sunday, November 23, 2008 4:26 PM

 

Great scratch building job!  Impressive!  I really need to give up this "life" and get my "old" one back when I used to tackle jobs like that!  I built the turkey featherless afterburner cans (162 pieces per can) for an old Monogram 1/48th F-15A back in the mid 80's and never finished the model.  I only have 20 plus such projects incomplete! King of the Porcrastinators! 

Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your "skills" with us! 

Clear Left!

Mel

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, November 24, 2008 4:46 AM

Thanks Mel.  Glad you like it.  Here is the latest. 

The interior is done.  Here it is before I sealed it up.  Of course you can only see about half the details after its closed up.  Oh well, I know its all there.

Rescue Basket

The rest of the gear.


Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 4:24 PM

OK... I still LOVE the basket. It is the highlight of the interior!!!

As far as what you can see....yep that happens, but you know it's there...thats what counts. We have seen it there....thats a bonus.

Looks great.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by minimortar on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 10:03 PM

Having just gone thru this thread and trying to think of something intelligent to say about your build Gino, only to draw a blank. I guess that all I can muster up for a response is:

WOW!!

Man, I sure wish that I could do rotors! Your builds taking shape sure are fun and interesting  to watch!

Sheeze.

Thanks,
Kevin Keefe

Mortars in Miniature
A Scale Model (Plus!) Collection of the Infantryman's Artillery

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Thursday, November 27, 2008 1:47 AM
Thanks guys.  Glad you like it.  Its been fun so far.  Currently carving and sculpting the external stores mounts out of resin pour plugs...fun, fun.  I'll show some more progress soon.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Saturday, November 29, 2008 3:16 PM

Latest update.  I have closed it up and finished the fuselage. I built the External Stores Support System (ESSS) wings out of scrap resin pour blocks, sanded and shaped to the correct pofiles.

Starboard side ESSS and extended hoist mount.

Port Side.

 

The radar nose used the Academy weather radar out of teh MH-60G kit.  I scratched the mount out of sheet styrene.

Underside details.

Tail anti-collision skid.

 

Next up is the rear landing gear, external fuel tanks,  and reshaping the main rotor blade roots and adding hinge details.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Saturday, November 29, 2008 4:36 PM

Gino -

The lost art of scratch building....the sign of a REAL modeller! Nice details. This one is a keeper!!

Watching this is giving me the feeling for a helio for my build next.....It won't be anything like this but as usual you give me insperation!!

Rounds Complete!!

 

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, November 30, 2008 9:55 AM

Thanks Mike.  It is coming along.  I think I am in the home stretch now.  Currently working on the external fuel tanks.  I love scratch-building too.

 

Come on, you know you want to do a helo.  I dare you to start one... Big Smile [:D] Big Smile [:D] Big Smile [:D]

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, November 30, 2008 9:45 PM

OK...I'll take you up on it. Sitting at the bench I looked over and decided after the build I am currntly working on, I take myself back in time and build the Dragon "Loach".

It will take me back to the AO days of artillery!! Mark it down Wink [;)]

Thanks for the push

Rounds Complete!!

 

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, December 1, 2008 10:48 PM

Sounds good.  The Egg is always a fun build.  Good luckon it.

I finished the fuel tanks up last night.  I'll post some more pics soon.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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