Dragon 1/144 MH-60S Knighthawk

The MH-60S is designed to support the Navy's Helicopter Master Plan and meet Fleet Combat Support Aircraft mission requirements. The MH-60S is an amalgam of the Sikorsky UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopter and its Navy variant, the SH-60B SEAHAWK® helicopter. The BLACK HAWK airframe provides the larger cabin volume and features required for cargo and passenger transport, and the SEAHAWK offers unique naval capabilities required to operate aboard ship. MH-60S helicopter missions include Vertical Replenishment, Combat Search and Rescue, Special Warfare Support and Airborne Mine Countermeasures, where it will be outfitted with a variety of systems to further serve the fleet.

Just for purists, the MH-60S was originally designated CH-60S to show its cargo carrying abilities, but when the airframe was chosen for other missions, the designation was changed in 2001.

First thing you should know about this kit is that it is not your 'standard' Navy H-60 Let me explain. The Navy has to be quite concerned about being able to fit its helos inside small hangar spaces. The SH-60 was designed to replace the SH-2 aboard small ships and so it was important that the plane be able to be folded to fit. This fold line required to the tail wheel to be mounted much farther forward.

However, when it came to those H-60 variants that were not to be deployed aboard "small boys" (Destroyers and Frigates and Cruisers), the need for the folding fuselage and so the shorter wheelbase were not needed. The MH-60S is one of those later helos.

Since this is basically a Blackhawk airframe, you get all those neat Blackhawk bits and pieces. So you don't sneak off and do some other version, there are blank spaces on the sprue where those other bits and pieces would be. Still, there are parts you won't need on this build, specifically an air refueling boom and some RHAW antenna mounts more applicable to HH-60s.

The interior is pretty complete for an aircraft in this scale with a nicely done cockpit and a seat-equipped cabin area. Even though the instructions show a molded on cyclic control, neither it nor the collective are there. Most of the additional bits are provided to be scabbed on and there is a rescue hoist. The cabin doors and complete nose section are clear plastic to facilitate painting. A great idea as installing transparencies onto something of this size would be a challenge to say the least.

Typical Dragon instructions in color with Gunze paint references. The markings for the two helos are for the CAG bird from HCS-2 and a standard MH-60H from HSC-28 det 7 aboard the USS Mt. Whitney. The codes for this unit used to be with HC-8 when they flew Sea Knights. Decals are nicely printed and should provide no surprises.

All in all, a pretty good deal as kits go. You get two full helos, neither of them looks to be overly difficult to build, and they still are a pretty good size when done. Good stuff for the newer builders in the house too, though they may want to leave off some of the 'fiddly bits'!

www.sikorsky.com

December 2007

My thanks towww.dragonmodelsusa.com for the review kit. These are at your stores now and if not, have them order it for you.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

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