G'day guys
just a quick question
just wondering, what humbrol paint should be used for the overall color of the Black hawk helicopter (he standard black type)
cheers

Can't help you on Humbrol, but Testors makes a really nice US Helo OD. Great color.
Are you doing a bird from the 160th SOAR in all black or a just a run of the mill UH-60?

160th, gonna make a dio of black hawk down, would i be right in just using matt black for it?
cheers

For my Academy 1/35 Black hawk, 160th SOAR version, I used a mixing of Black Matt (90%) and Dark Grey (10%) due to the paint fading by weather and it looks quite good with the decal.
Humbrol Black Matt #33 and Dark Grey #32.
Hope this helps.

there was a really good article on aircraftresourcecenter about building super 6 from blackhawk down

Thanks heaps guys!
cheers

Just a quick question again.....in the movie (black hawk down) they use the DAP UH-60's, are theres the ones that were used, ya know, the ones with the big thingy on the nose, or did they use the ordinary black hawks?

Here you go David. Try this sight out. i think you wont be disappointed.

NIGHTSTALKERS - 160th SOAR

The AH-60L DAP is operated by the 160th SOAR, this AH-60 have seen action in Somalia, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. About the "big thingy on the nose" that is the weather radar (Forward Looking Infra-red Radar), this radar is mounted on the AH-60L DAP and UH-60L, The Army Special Operations variant, so the Black Hawk in Somalia had this "big thingy on the nose".

Howdy lestweforget,

I have been garnering information on this subject for quite some time. And through those efforts have read a plethora of conflicting, as well as interesting opinions on the subject of 160th bird colourings....
For what it's worth, my 'read' of it all is this;

The Blackhawk MH-60L's (no DAP's) were originally painted standard Army Helo Drab when they began their life with the 160th (upon receiving). But were quickly over-painted with the accepted colour of the 'Night Stalker's'...flat black (for obvious reasons).
As most people who have experience with applied flat colours will know, if there is not a protectant surface coating applied over the top coat of flat black that is non UV reactive, the top coat of paint will very quickly begin to fade away....especially flat, and especially black.
The 'Killer Egg's', or Little Bird's were also over-painted flat black. But because they are smaller in size than the bigger Blackhawk's, the 'fading' was less pronounced. Based on this observation, my thought's along the lines of "which paint to use" is not to in fact use a single colour, or blend of colours.....but instead to actually paint the kit as it was painted in real life. Meaning, paint the bird in standard Army Helo Drab, let dry, and then overspray (heavily) with a flat black, allowing a hint of the OD undercoat to show through.
Now, this is just an old fart's humble opinion..............do with it what you will.

Tread.

Post Script: If there is an official veteran of this esteemed and honourable unit who can shed more light on this subject.....I humbly invite you to correct me, and send me to bed without any cookies!

cheers guys thanks heaps for that!

No problem David.

And here's a link to a very informative thread regarding the 160th SOAR's Blackhawk's, and their deployed configuration during Somalia/Op. Gothic Serpent.
Hope it helps...

http://finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22977

Tread.

Post Script: I replied to your PM Dave.........

Dave- you may also want to check out a copy of "In The Company of Heroes" by CWO4(ret.) Michael Durant. He was the pilot of Super 64 that day, and the one who was POW afterward. He gives a very consice rundown of the types of A/C involved in the op., and ther are several pre- & post-crash photos of 'Venom' (the helo), which was the standard SOAR troop carrier, not a DAP.
BTW- I think everyone on this site would get a LOT out of that book. I'm mr. tough guy former Jarhead, & it brought me to tears several times. The sacrifices those men made, most of which turned out to be in vain...

Howdy Robert,

I am reading that very book as we speak. It is indeed a highly recommended book to all. I am approximately halfway through the book, and without going into detail, I have also felt a flood of several emotions during that time.
Absolutely, the most poignant for me are the moments involving MOH recipient's Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon.These men and what they did, are the reason for my long-term reference gathering. I have been working on a 'secret' project of my own involving them for some time. My whole intent is to get my facts straight, and my reference's correct, so that I can do the project justice.

So, thanks for mentioning the book.

Tread.

will check the librabry asap! cheers

Believe me David, you won't be dissapointed.

But just FYI....it doesn't deal with the overall 'Mog' battle and insuing exfiltration from the town like the movie 'Blackhawk Down'. It instead goes behind the scenes from CW4 (ret.) Michael Durant's perspective.

Tread.