Sikorsky S-70 MH-60J Jayhawk
US Coast Guard, Elizabeth City air Station, 2007
Hobby Boss OOB
The Jayhawk is widely used by the US Coast Guard as its medium range rescue and patrol
helicopter. Developed from and very similar to the US Navy’s HH-60 Combat SAR /
Surface Patrol light helicopter, it does away with some of the HH-60’s military equipment
(e.g. armour and particularly ASuW missiles) and replaces it with up to 3 massive
auxiliary fuel tanks that extend its operating range and endurance for long SAR missions,
as well as maritime patrol and anti-narcotics operations. For this latter role,
the Jayhawk can now be armed with a range of door and window machine-guns for use
against non-compliant vessels.
Procured in the early 1990s to replace Sea King HH-3 Pelican variants, it was originally
known as the HH-60J or MH-60J, but was re-designated the MH-60T in 2007 after an
upgrade programme that improved the aircraft’s engines and introduced a modern glass
cockpit. Forty two HH-60Js were built originally, with a number of ex-USN SH-60F
Seahawks purchased and converted at a later date as the USN withdrew them from its
own inventory.
As of 2017, the USCG are undertaking a further Life Extension programme, including
remanufacturing existing airframes and new builds that will replace existing HH-65
Dolphin light helicopters.
Although normally based ashore, the MH-60T can be embarked in the USCG’s armed patrol
cutters.
Sikorsky S-70 UH-60A Black Hawk
10th Aviation Regiment, US Army, Helmand 2007
Revell (Italeri) OOB
The SikorskyS70 series began with the UH-60A Black Hawk utility helicopter that entered
service in 1979 as a replacement for the UH-1 Huey Iroqois. Powered by twin General
Electric T700 series turbines, in its baseline configuration, the aircraft can carry
11 troops, plus up to 4 crew. When fitted with extended pylons, it can carry large
auxiliary fuel tanks, or be armed with missiles and rockets. An underslung external
load of up to 3.5 Tonnes can be lifted, and the low-slung fuselage is sized to allow
carriage in a C-130 with minimal preparation. Link to build page
Sikorsky S-70 SH-60B Seahawk
HSL-41, US Navy, Pacific Fleet 1991
Hasegawa OOB with minor detail additions and scratch cabin interior
The Sikorsky SH-60 Sea Hawk is a naval derivative of the S-70 Black Hawk. Fitted
with folding main rotor blades, radar and various anti-submarine systems, it entered
service with the US Navy in 1984. Unlike the Black hawk, it has only one main cabin
door, plus a shorter, but higher deck clearance undercarriage with a twin rear wheel
placed under the mid cabin to simplify deck manoeuvring and allow tail folding. The
SH-60B variant operated from smaller ships in the ASW and ASuW roles, replacing the
SH-2 Seasprite in the LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) role.
SH-60Bs were replaced by the more capable SH-60R from 2006.
The SH-60F was similar but with a dipping sonar and a more limited range of capabilities,
operating from the US Carriers as a replacement for the ASW Sea King. Link to build
page
Westland WS-70 Black Hawk
845 NAS, Helmand 2012 (What-if?)
Hasegawa with speculative markings & serial.
In the late 1980s, Westland Helicopters were struggling to stay in business. Having
worked with Sikorsky in the past (the Dragonfly, Whirlwind, Wessex, & Sea King were
all based on Sikorsky designs) they began to forge even closer links with the US
firm and its owners. As part of this arrangement, Westland gained the European manufacturing
rights to the S-70 Black Hawk design and set about marketing it to European nations
as a replacement for the Wessex/Puma class of medium support helicopters.
However, Westland's efforts met with strong opposition - the Gulf War proved that
larger helicopters (in the Chinook class) were required and the RAF was adamant that
it wanted Chinooks, and would not take the Black Hawk under any circumstances (although
it was later forced to adopt the Merlin HC.3 instead). The political arguments around
Westland's ownership led to a bitter split in the UK Conservative government, with
the furious resignation of Defence Minister Michael Heseltine, who had championed
the retention of an independent UK and European aircraft industry, as well as Trade
and Industry Minister Leon Brittan, who favoured the US deal. For many political
commentators, the Westland Affair, as it became known, was the beginning of the Conservative
Party revolt that would lead to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's peremptory removal
from power in 1991.
In the end, the WS-70 design could not be sold in the competitive and nationalistic
European market, and was quietly dropped from the Westland catalogue when the company
transferred back to European ownership.
But events could have taken a different turn.............................…
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