WIP: 1/35 UH-60A MedEvac

Modeling Subjects Helicopters
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My latest project is a 1/35 UH-60A MedEvac. I have wanted to build one for a long time, but wasn’t brave enough to try to scratch the litter courossel and other MedEvac-specific parts. Now that there is a conversion set and decals for them from Werner’s Wings, I decided to tackle it. I haven’t decided which aircraft I will do off the WW decal set yet. I think it will be the 3 ID one, but I am also considering the USFK helo with external tanks and the yellow stripes. I’ll decide on markings later. On to the build…

I am using the Academy UH-60A kit as a base. To it, I am adding the Werner’s Wings UH-60 MedEvac Interior conversion, Eduard Interior and Exterior PE sets, parts of Cobra Company’s UH-60L Correction and Deatail set (rear wall and gunner’s bulkheads w/ A/C outlets), and parts from Cobra Company’s UH-60 Detail Set. I will be using Werner’s Wings Blackhawk Decal set as well.

Here are some of the above items.

WW Blackhawk MedEvac Interior:

WW Blackhawk Decals:

So far, I have been working on the MedEvac parts and the interior. I have built the WW litter caroussel with a few additions. After looking over my UH-60A MedEvac pics at Prime Portal, I notices a few missing details.

Mainly, these were the two D-shaped handles on the ends that lock it in place and allow the caroussel to rotate. Also missing are the seat belts to hold th elitters on and the buckles on the outside rails of the litter trays. I added these items, using shovel handles for the lock handles, and Eduard seat belts from the interior set for the belts. I also added a lever on each end of the litter tray that locks it in place onto the caroussel.


I also printed up some of the more prominent stencils on computer decal paper to add some more details.

I worked on the cockpit using Cobra Company’s center console, collectives, and a few other bits. I also used the Eduard pre-painted IP, which is the first time I have used them. I like how it went together and how it looks. I think it came out pretty nicely.

I used the gunners’ bulkheads from CC’s UH-60L Corrections and Detail set as opposed to the ones that come in the WW MedEvac set. I think CC’s looks better and are more detailed. I am also a little biased since I mastered CC’s as well. Some say they are too big in the upper, rounded portion. They are the exact size and shape as ones I measured in Blackhawks. The issue seems to be seat placement. If you angle the pilots’ seat sback too far, they will interfere with the bulkheads. If placed correctly, they fit perfectly. Here they are.

Lastly, I have detailed the cabin ceiling with the tranmission drip pan from Eduard’s PE set, again, it is better detailed than the one in WW’s set. I cut off the courossel bracket from the WW interior set and added it to the Eduard piece. I also added the drain lines from wires. I also added the mounting brackets for the central seat support rod, which of course is not used with the MedEvac interior.

That is all so far. I will post more as I get further along.

Thanks for looking and as always, all comments are welcomed.

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Gino,

That looks awesome! Can’t wait to see the rest of it as it comes together! [:D[

I’ve got that same kit that I’m wanting to modify into the EH-60 “QuickFix” electronic warfare bird that I was on at Fort Carson back in '91.

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Thanks Richard. I’m still plugging away at it. I’ll post an update later this week.

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Looks really nice Gino! There are a couple of small things I could sharp shoot but I play with them every day and they are minor things that still achieve the TLAR goal that is the cornerstone of modeling. The carousel is excellent. I also like the pieces for the crew windows, I’ll say that you have a winner there. I will have to get a set when I get home and check them out.

I’m looking forward to seeing your progress. If you need any specific photos, I can drop in on the med evac guys down the ramp and see if they mind me taking a picture or two.

Next challenge…HH-60M

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Looking good Gino! I have a 78’ firebird im working on right now. I can’t wait to start my 60. Still thinking about how I want to do a diorama. I got a cannon that I think i will sling under it.

I look forward to seeing more pics!! Keep up the good work.

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Mac - Thanks for the compliments. The new MedEvac set from Werner’s Wings is great. You won’t be disappointed. Safe travels coming home.

phoneguy - Thanks for checking in and the compliments. Good luck on your Firebird. The gun slung under the 60 is going to look great.

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Gino, good to see you building something very interesting again! That litter rack is very interesting, I didn’t know they use such a cool gizmo for this job. Good luck with your project, have a nice day

Paweł

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WOW! That is looking awesome! I think the cockpit looks fantastic.

Thats a pretty extensive resin set. Looks good. I never heard of Werner’s Wings before. I will have to check out their selection.

Thanks for posting the WIP.

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Pavel and Kevin - Thanks for the compliments. It is a great set and Werner’s Wings has a bunch of great products. I highly recommend them.

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Progress continues on my MedEvac helo. Not much of an update this week.

I have added a few decals to the interior. The Werner’s Wings stencils have a few unique ones. They include NO HAND HOLD decals for the IP hood, NO STEP markings for the tops of the collective boxes, and the door inner stenciling. They are all very small and in perfect register, very nice. They are hard to see in the pics, but trust me, they look great, much better than the kit versions. I also added a few avionics boxes under the seats.

Here are the doors and the pilots’ armor panels. I used the Eduard door PE and handles for the armor, along with some thin solder for the cables.

I also built the rear seats that will be folded up along the rear bulkhead. I used the kit parts and folded them up, then added Eduard seat belts to hold them in place. I also added the kit decal for the back of the seat and a couple red crosses for the First Aid kits.

This will probably be the last update for a while. I have ankle surgery tomorrow and will be laid up for a while. Wish me luck.

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Lookin’ good Gino! [:D[

Take care of yourself, bud! We’ll all be pullin’ for ya! [Y]

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Nice work on the pit! If you have the time/inclination, you could add hydraulic lines for the brakes under the r/h seat. The well under the pilot’s seat is much busier with 3 radios, brake valves and brake lines in there. The co-pilot’s side really only has a receiver transmitter antenna under it, so it’s pretty empty in there.

The IP looks great. It looks like it is worth the price of admission to have that in there. The stencil decals are a nice touch, simple little things like that are what give a model the right look. This thing is going to be a real treat to see come together.

Prayers and good thoughts to you as you prepare for surgery.

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WIP is great so far - looking forward to updates.

Best of Luck with the surgery!

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The surgery went well. I am home and on the couch with my leg up for a few days now. Then we will see what happens next.

Richard - thanks for the compliments and words of encouragement.

Mac- do you have any pics of under the copilot’s seat? I haven’t been able to find any and went with what I saw on the pilot’s side. Thansk for the prayers on the surgery, they seamed to help.

Griffin - thanks for checking in and for wishing me good luck.

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Gino, glad to hear the surgery went all right! Hope you can get back to modelling soon! Have a nice day

Paweł

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Glad everything went OK for ya! I hate being down though. I had rotator cuff surgery in March of last year. Was useless to the world for about 4 days before I was able to move around and do anything.

Suggestion…Vicodin and three fingers of Jack Daniels! You’ll be amazed at how much you don’t care about things then! [t$t]

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I’m glad the surgery went well! [:)] I’m looking forward to seeing you get back to the bench and getting more work done on this chopper.

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Thanks for the support guys. I hope to be able to get back to the bench in a couple of days. I think I will take your advice as well, Richard!! Cheers!!

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It may be a couple of days but I can take a couple of pictures of the seat wells. The simple way to capture the look is to paint the avionics boxes that you put in there black and use some wire to represent hyd lines along the inboard side of the r/h seat well. Once the seats are installed, you won’t be able to see much in there any way. Pics will come by Sat though. My free time will be spent studying for a check ride for the next couple of days.

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No problem Mac. I can wait. I’m not going anywhere for a few days with my ankle in a cast. I’m in no rush.