It actually was announced about two weeks after the UBL Raid. It looks like just a re-issue of their UH-60L model (with a few parts added) that they are using to capitalize on the Bin Laden mission. There are parts included to make an MH-60L as used by 160th SOAR (Spec Ops Aviation Regiment). They have included the refueling probe, nose weather radar, FLIR ball, and the MH folding, squared off stabilator. The markings and color guide are off though. The only US Army unit that uses MH-60Ls is the 160th SOAR and all their aircraft are painted flat black, not Helo Drab Green, and have OD GReen markings. Cobra Company makes a couple sets of proper SOAR decals to fix this problem. The painting guide also mislabels the standard Army color as OD green, it is actually the darker Helo Drab Green, which is available in the Testors Model Master line in both acrylic and enamel. The acrylic is closer to the actual color.

Hi Gino, I thought it was a re-issue of an earlier kit, but I didn't know which one, because there is no way they are going to get a new mould kit out that quick after the raid. Nice to know Italeri have done their homework with the colour scheme. Andy

well, it can't be worse than the minicraft uh-60l that i am struggling with at the moment.

It is actually a repop of their earlier MH-60K kit with new (albeit incorrect) decals. Here is a review of the MH-60K . You can see the sprue layout is the same around the fuselage half, refueling boom, and ESSS wing mount cover, etc.

Howdy all, just some quick advice on this model. A. Dont use the squared off stabe in pic 4, its for a Sea Hawk B. From just looking from the outside you cant tell the difference between a A and L model Black Hawk unless its an EH C. If anybody needs pics of any particular area, Im more than happy to help. PS. the Stabe is short for Stabalatore, and its the wing in the back on the tail boom

Sorry, but you are wrong on both accounts. 1. US Army MH-60Ls and MH-60Ks use the square, folding stab, as does the USAF MH/HH-60G and USCG MH/HH-60Js. It is not just a US Navy feature. US Army 160th SOAR MH-60Ls: 2. You can tell an A model from an L model externally. L models have 10" wider step fairings in front of the main landing gear under the pilots' doors. Inside the wider step fairings is a roll stabilizer that helps keep the helo from rolling when it lands unevenly on one wheel.

Would this be an appropriate kit to accurately represent the Blackhawks used in 1993 Somalia (Blackhawk Down)? I can't tell from the pictures what weapons are included - does it have a minigun on each side? Thanks!

Yes, it would be a good base for a Operation Gothic Serpent (Somalia) Blackhawk. It is the same basic helicopter, an MH-60L that was used at that time. I don't know about the weapons included, but Cobra Company has a great MH-60L Conversion Set that includes two miniguns and a bunch more items to detail and upgrade the kit. You will still need the above mentioned Cobra Company SOAR Decals for it as well. Be sure to take a look at the Op Gothic Serpent Blackhawk thread for some more tips too. Good luck.