Kitty Hawk Models 1/35 HH-60H Rescue Hawk Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | February 2021 | Manufacturer | Kitty Hawk Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | HH-60H Rescue Hawk | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 50010 | Primary Media | Styrene, Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Best Seahawk kit in any scale (to date) | Cons | See text |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (USD) | $139.95 |
First Look
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As Sikorsky's H-60 airframe continued to prove its capabilities and versatility, a pair of rescue variants were put into production based upon the SH-60F airframe. One was the Coast Guard's HH-60J and the other was the Navy's HH-60H. The HH-60H was developed to support Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Naval Special Warfare (SEALS), and anti-surface warfare (ASUW). The type had not been in service long before it received its baptism of fire during Operation Desert Storm performing MEDEVAC and moving special forces troops around the battlefield.
Since the aircraft was based upon the SH-60F, it could operate from small flight decks like those on the rear of destroyers and cruisers, as well as folding up to fit inside their rear deck hangars. Unlike the SH-60F, the HH-60H used the same infrared suppressors for engine exhaust as the Army's Blackhawks. For anti-surface warfare, the HH-60H could carry a variety of guns as well as the AGM-114 Hellfire missile. The last HH-60H was retired from the Navy in 2019.
Kitty Hawk Models has released two more Seahawk variants: the HH-60H (this kit) and the MH-60R. The kit is molded in the usual light gray styrene and presented on 13 parts trees plus two trees of clear parts, and one fret of photo-etched parts. Among the features and options in this kit:
- Nicely detailed flight deck
- Great main cabin details
- Nice T700 engines w/detailed IR suppressor exhaust shrouds=
- Positionable engine access doors
- Nicely detailed rotor head and swash plate
- Main rotor blades are positionable - flight or folded
- Tail boom is positionable - flight or folded
- Optional racks included for folded main rotor blades
- Rescue winch
- Accurate horizontal stabilator with handholds and folding points
- Positionable flight deck doors
- Positionable main cabin door
- Positionable side window(s)
- Avionics bay in nose with positionable cover
- Nose-mounted FLIR turret
The kit provides the following external stores (see notes):
- 1 x door-mounted gun
- 1 x window-mounted gun
- 2 x external fuel tanks
Markings are included for four options:
- HH-60H, unknown, HS-6, NH/6
- HH-60H, unknown, HS-3, AJ/616
- HH-60H, unknown, HA(L)-3. -/202
- HH-60H, 165113, HS-6, NH/4
This is another outstanding release from Kitty Hawk and is easily the best HH-60H kit available in any scale (less than 1:1).
My sincere thanks to Kitty Hawk Models for this review sample!