Italeri 1/48 MH-60 Black Hawk {gift build for a friend}

[GaryG64]

My friend was a crew chief on a Black Hawk during Desert Storm.
I decided I would like to build this kit for him.

 

[GaryG64]

Finished the cockpit and troop seats.
So far so good.

 

[user 22148]

Nice - that IP looks very good indeed.

 

[GaryG64]

Nice - that IP looks very good indeed.

Thanks. Really having fun with this build.

 

[Steve Ski]

Good start, looking good from here!

 

[GaryG64]

Good start, looking good from here!

Thanks Steve

 

[GaryG64]

The 2 halves fit pretty well. Just a little more filing and sanding the get them to fit a little better.

 

[Down Time]

Lookin' good

 

[GaryG64]

Lookin' good

Thank you.

 

[Jakko]

The Black Hawk always was a good-looking helicopter and this looks like it will be a good-looking model of one, too.

 

[GaryG64]

The Black Hawk always was a good-looking helicopter and this looks like it will be a good-looking model of one, too.

Thanks, Jacko.
Unfortunately the front window slipped and got glue on it... what a bummer. I used baby oil on it to minimize the spots

 

[Jakko]

Ouch, always difficult when that happens

 

[GaryG64]

Ouch, always difficult when that happens

Yes it is.
Great kit though.

 

[user 22148]

Fabulous looking helo that - shame about the canopy but that's a cracking build!

 

[GaryG64]

Fabulous looking helo that - shame about the canopy but that's a cracking build!

Thank you.
My buddy is getting excited to see his 'ol bird.
I ordered numeral decals to add his tail numbers, too.

 

[GaryG64]

Slow progress, but progress.

 

[GaryG64]

I am not thrilled with this kit. There are several fitting issues and some steps of the instructions are not very clear.
It's unfortunate, but I may have to scrap this one and try again.
I'm still going to try to salvage it.

 

[GaryG64]

It is now scrapped and reordered. Italeri was very disappointing with this kit, maybe it was me, or a little bit of both but I'm not giving up in building my friend a Black Hawk. I've learned the fitting issues can be (hopefully) overcome. I'm going to use the same cockpit because it has aftermarket 3-D parts.
I just hope the next build goes smoother.

Now I'm going to watch some college ball games.

 

[TimM63]

It is now scrapped and reordered. Italeri was very disappointing with this kit, maybe it was me, or a little bit of both but I'm not giving up in building my friend a Black Hawk. I've learned the fitting issues can be (hopefully) overcome. I'm going to use the same cockpit because it has aftermarket 3-D parts.
I just hope the next build goes smoother.

Now I'm going to watch some college ball games.

Did it hit the bin or is it on the shelf of shame?

 

[GaryG64]

Did it hit the bin or is it on the shelf of shame?

It's back in the box to salvage the cockpit

 

[Jim62]

I am not thrilled with this kit. There are several fitting issues and some steps of the instructions are not very clear.
It's unfortunate, but I may have to scrap this one and try again.
I'm still going to try to salvage it.

I was gonna ask what the fit was like. I swore off of Italeri kits for fixed wing but wasn't sure what their helicopters may be like. Now I know to avoid those as well.

 

[GaryG64]

I was gonna ask what the fit was like. I swore off of Italeri kits for fixed wing but wasn't sure what their helicopters may be like. Now I know to avoid those as well.

I'll try kit #2 and after that, no more from Italeri.

 

[Jakko]

My experience is that Italeri military vehicle kits of about the 1970s, early 80s are generally better than those that came after. Not sure if this applies to aircraft as well, but I would not be surprised if it did.

 

[Edbert]

I've never been able to throw away or smash a kit that I had any investment in. There's always hope, at least that how I figure.

I was going to ask why you went back to Italeri, but to salvage the cockpit, that there's a reason.

 

[GaryG64]

This kit has been sitting too long. So I'm back on the bench with this kit.
Some of the windows got messed up and didnt feel like sending out for replacement pieces. So, I bought another kit. That one I'll build for me later.
More pics to follow as they come.

 

[Ron2]

Finished the cockpit and troop seats.
So far so good.

View attachment 126749

View attachment 126750

View attachment 126751

View attachment 126752

Is this oob?

 

[GaryG64]

Is this oob?

Thank you. This is OOB, except the cockpit 3-D decals

 

[Ron2]

Thank you. This is OOB, except the cockpit 3-D decals

Cockpit was what caught my eye! Which decals? I haven't tried 3d yet

 

[GaryG64]

Cockpit was what caught my eye! Which decals? I haven't tried 3d yet

Man, it's been so long I've forgotten the brand.
3-D decals are great! No bending teensy tiny parts like PE parts. I still like PE, but 3-D is my go to.

 

[GaryG64]

Got a little more done this morning.
I still have lots to do, before I'm happy with it.
Like the copilot's door. And small detail work.