HeavyArty Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 (edited) I have started a project that I have wanted to do for quite some time. I love the look of the USCG MH-60J with its bright colors. I have built up the courage and started cutting plastic. There isn't any kit of the HH/MH-60J Jayhawk in any scale. There are a couple great conversion sets by Fireball Modelworks in 1/72 and Cobra Company in 1/48, but I wanted a big one w/lots of detail. I have wanted to do one for a while, but I prefer to build large helos. After watching The Guardian on TV recently, it peaked my interest in doing a Jayhawk. I started gathering reference materials and figuring out how to do it using a 1/35 Academy MH-60G kit. I will be using the Cobra Company open UH-60 exhausts, along with a couple of the interior bulkheads that I mastered for Cobra. I will also use parts of their MH-60L correction set (widened step sponsons, rear wall, one piece intakes) and parts from the MH-60L SOAR set (which I think is now the MH-60G set). Once I thought about it, it doesn't look like it will be too hard. Here is what I will be building, the armed MH-60J version: I have started by closing in the fuselage on both sides. I had to cut off the door fairings on the port side and half of the starboard side fairing. And working on the interior bulkheads. I'll keep you updated as this project develops. Edited December 28, 2021 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Go Gino Go!!!! That's awesome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CW4 Erick Swanberg Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Sweet Gino looking forward to this one may just have to selfishly copy you haha. Not that it will help you now but when I started work on the VH-60 I backfilled the doortracks with super glue from the inside and then just sanded them down leaving a nice smooth area on the outside, I would see about making masters for this conversion and see if Chris will make the conversion and sell it I sure would like to have one for the Jayhawk and Seahawk. Erick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawkwrench Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Nice goin Gino!!! You beat me to my next project!I guess I'll have to play second fiddle to you on this one,but then again,I'll just follow this thread for my info!!!Looking good so far!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 (edited) Thanks guys, its coming along. I cut out the steps on the forward sides and an intake on the right side last night. Faired in the strut openings as well as some fiaring around the right side door. Also relocated the APU exhaust on the left side too. I'll post some more pics soon. Edited October 15, 2008 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony in NZ Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Wow Gino Very very cool. That is one Chopper I would love to also do one day. You have made a fantastic start, I will look forward to watching this one Cheers Anthony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avus Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Oh it's only Gino starting one of his masterpieces ... And I thought that eventually someone made a conversion kit! Great work so far! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 (edited) My, my my, now this is going to be an awesome and colorful build. Cool choice Gino. Like the others have said, I would love to build one of these in 1/35. You should make a basic conversion and offer it for sale. I'm sure it will be a hit. I know I'll buy 2 sets. One for USCG and other to use for USN Sea Hawk. Anyway, make sure to take a lots of photos Mike Edited October 16, 2008 by Youngtiger1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 (edited) Here is the latest progress. I have finished closing in the fuselage and added rivet details and cut out the steps. I also added the rooftop hard points for the ESSS wing connections and fairings around the landing gear and door cargo opening. On the inside, I cut out all the mounting points in the floor using a template someone posted at one of the helo sites, sorry I don't remember who. Then I sheethed the floor using lead foil and pressed it into the openings. Then I placed small rings using the insulation off of copper wire into each. The instrument panel, console, and collectives are from the CC set. I added the extended glare shield to the kit glare shield as well. The floor under the pilots seats was opened to show the radio bays. And a map case was made from sheet styrene. One rudder pedal went AWOL, so I made one out of styrene to replace it. Lastly, I have added the details to the sliding port side windows and starboard cargo door. Next up are the rear cabin details. Edited October 22, 2008 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avus Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Most impressive work! :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ice225 Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Impressive work - I like your way of using wire-insulation! :unsure: It´s a bit sad, that the pictures from the first post dont´work. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 (edited) Thanks, glad you like it. It´s a bit sad, that the pictures from the first post dont´work. I hadn't noticed they didn't work any longer. I had to change the name on the album slightly on Photobucket. I can still see them on my computer, must be cached. I'll fix it later. Thanks. Edit: The first set of pics should work now. Let me know if they still don't. Edited October 22, 2008 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Here is the latest update. I have completed the construction of the rear cabin. The side walls, roof, and rear wall are all scratch. The radio rack is as well. I also added various access panels on the fuselage. And the tail fold hinges, which does not fold by the way. I have strated painting the interior. I hope to have some more pictures as I get the interior done soon. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for looking. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
norbert Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Thats awesome Gino ! And it's also a dream for me. very nice Norbert Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Thanks Norbert. I'll keep you posted. Basic interior painting is almost done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chef blades Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 The conversion work is amazing. The hinge work on the tail is, well, brilliant. The work so far just leaves me speechless! I have always loved the Seahawk, and looking at your progress... I am in awe. Can't wait for more pics Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Thanks Andy. Keep looking for another update soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted November 19, 2008 Author Share Posted November 19, 2008 (edited) More progress over the last week or so. I have laid the paint on the interior and started adding details. I forgot to take pics before starting to install the interior, so this is the best I have. Staboard inner wall with hoist controls. Port side w/interior installed. The web seat is made out of lead foil and styrene rod. The crew seats along the back wall are the left over pilots seats with new frames and Eduard PE belts. Cockpit with Cobra Company seats, instrument panel, center console, and collectives and cyclic handles. All detail painting done by hand. Roof and overhead console. The air duct work is done in A & B putty. Finally, the scratch-built rescue basket. Made out of 0.020 brass rod soldered and super glued together, bridal viel toole for the mesh bottom, and A & B putty for the flotation rolls on either end. Hope you like it. Now onto painting all the gear to go inside. Thanks for looking. Edited November 19, 2008 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony in NZ Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Just fantastic work I am really enjoying watching your amazing progress Cheers Anthony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rdrunner Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 She's lookin might fine, Gino.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rotorwash Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Man, that is one beautiful bird, Gino! I can't wait to see what's next on this one. Ray Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CW4 Erick Swanberg Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Holy Crap Gino, that interior is awesome dude, the basket is excellent as well, keep this up man Erick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Wow, what a great job. That basket is just fantastic. I can't even imagine trying something like that. You are truly an uber-modeler. I can't wait to see this completed. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
petebuilt Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 It's looking awesome Gino! Thanks for the updates. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ice225 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Awesome details! Especially the basket is a masterpiece! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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