Skunkmodels Workshop 1/48 HH-60J Jayhawk
Markings Four U.S.C.G Air Stations
Decals by Cartograf
Length 411mm / 16.2 inches
Rotorspan 340mm / 13 3/8 inches
Parts 150

Jayhawk

"Manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Technologies in Stratford, 42 medium-range Jayhawk HH-60J helicopters are operating in the Coast Guard. On board the Jayhawk, the Collins RCVR-3A radio simultaneously receives information from four of the system's 18 worldwide satellites and converts it into latitude and longitude fixes that pinpoint the helicopter's position. The HH-60J is not able to perform water landings. However, with its twin T700-GE-401C engines, the Jayhawk can fly 300 miles offshore, rema in on scene 45 minutes, hoist six people on board, and return to its point of origin with a safe fuel reserve. Normal cruising speeds of 135-140 knots can be increased to a "dash" speed of 180 knots when necessary. The H-60 will fly comfortably at 140 knots for six to seven hours. Though normally stationed ashore, the Jayhawk can be carried aboard 270-foot WMEC and 378-foot WHEC Coast Guard cutters. The actual implementation of the HH-60J began in March of 1990 with the delivery of the first airframe to Naval Air Station Patuxent
River, Maryland, for developmental testing.

"Missions: The Jayhawk's state-of-the-art radar,
radio, and navigation equipment enables the
helicopter to carry out the Coast Guard's search
and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness,
and marine environmental protection missions
efficiently and effectively.." [1]

Preflight

Skunkmodels Workshop packs their end-opening box with six sprues holding over 150 parts, decals, and a pack of photo-etch to build this Jayhawk. These sprues are sealed in bags. Four sprues are for Skunkmodels' basic H-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Two sprues are specifically for the Jayhawk version.

Neither sinkholes nor ejector marks are found on visible parts, with one exception: the grips of the articulated tail rotor system. Some parts have some minor flash and faint seam lines. By and large the molding is sharp. Airframe surface detail comprises an appropriate mix of raised and recessed detail. Jayhawks are not flush-riveted and this model is not either. The detail is quite fine.

The clear parts are clear and without distortion.

And all of this for less than $30!

Details

There is, however, nary a rivet for the cabin interior fuselage detail. Plenty of detail otherwise:

• Cabin floor with recessed latches and fixtures
• Seats
• Rudder pedals
• Collectives and sticks
• Instrument panel and consoles

The seats have molded cushion detail.

This is where the colored photo-etch comes in:
• Multi-part seat belts and harness
• Two-piece sandwich-style Instrument panel
• Consoles
• Rudder pedals
• Powerplant controls
• Rescue basket

Four parts build the transmission. Twelve parts build the rotor mast and rotor head. The rotors can be positioned for flight or for storage. Plenty of separate external probes and handles adorn the exterior. You have a choice of cockpit doors, the optional types requiring some surgery.

Underneath the fuselage you have a dozen parts to apply—not counting the landing gear!

One of the two extra sprues specific to the HH-60J is molded clear. The surface has a slight tooth to it. This includes the extended pylon, Front FLIR sensor, and fuel tanks.

I measured the helo without the FLIR pod and it scales out to 48 feet 9 inches, just under the 50 feet 7.5 inches shown for an H-60 in U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 1-1520-237-10.

Finally, a printed card diorama background landing pad is in the box. Nice! I put a 1/48 Monogram WW2 pilot next to it for scale.

Decals, Painting

Decal options for four Coast Guard aircraft are:

1. HH-60J 6008, CGAS Astoria
2. HH-60J 6010, CGAS San Diego
3. HH-60J 6012, CGAS Kodiak
4. HH-60J 6022, CGAS Elizabeth City

You have a good number of data stenciling to apply if you wish. The decals are designed by Crossdelta and printed by Cartograf S.r.l., Italy. Need I say more? They are thin and printed sharp.

Paints referenced are GSI Creos Aqueous Hobby Color and GSI Mr. Color. So are some Testors paints used as well. A good schematic shows how to paint the Jayhawk and where to apply the decals.

Postflight

Skunkmodels have created a good model of the H-60 family, featuring sharp molding with little to complain about, fine and ample detail, photo-etched parts, and high quality decals. This HH-60J, with its variant-specific sprues, furthers the basic Blackhawk series. While some pieces have a tad of flash / seam lines, the quality of the molding is marred only by the sink holes on the tail rotor. As impressive as the cabin interior parts is, the lack of molded side details is a drawback.

Overall, this is an impressive model of a colorful Sikorsky H-60 aircraft. For the price, you can hardly do better. Highly recommend.

Please remember to tell model manufacturers and sellers that you saw this model here—on AEROSCALE.

REFERENCE
[1] USCG Fact Sheet, Jayhawk – HH-60J Helicopter, http://www.uscg.mil/d13/units/factsheets/hh-60_jayhawk.pdf

UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. From U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 1-1520-237-10

http://www.cavalrypilot.com/fm1-514/Ch3.htm