Cracking open the kits, and digging into the books led to some initial plans for the kits. The Nighthawk was going to be super detailed, so I attacked the Pavehawk first, to get used to the kits. Some of the aftermarket parts would be used to improve the model.

The interior of both kits is basic. Photos show that the cockpit was very different from what was given, especially with the seats, I pressed Cutting Edge's replacements into service. Though the actual seat part was replaced, the Blackhawk uses an intricate support frame for crash landing safety. This frame was made up with a combination of brass rods and styrene strips. Underneath the seat, the floorboard is cut out so that the seat unit will recess into place. This was done on the kit and boxed in with sheet styrene. The rest of the cockpit was completed with resin replacements. The main instrument panel and center console, were available from Cutting Edge. Although a great step up from the blank kit parts, it had several inaccuracies when compared with photos. I made no attempt to modify this setback. I chose to cut out both of the front doors in order to show off my detailing. This however would require adding the framework to the interior side of the doors. This was completed with 1mm square stock. The results are impressive and make a big difference in the appearance of the kit.

The rear compartment is also a very bare part of the model. Photos revealed an intricate arrangement of overhead braces and tubing. This serves both as the support structure for the folding seats and for repelling soldiers to the ground. These parts were made from styrene tubing and bar stock, and add much needed substance to the rear area. The fuselage halves also require thicker areas around the windows, and where the landing gear struts come inside. This was completed with bar stock on either side of the installed strut, and inserting a sheet styrene cover. Check fit and cut away surplus stock in order to get the roof to fit in place. With that done, painting will need to follow. This is simple, as the forward interior is entirely flat black, while the rea compartment is ghost grey. The roof is a yellow-green fabric and is difficult to colour match. I used Poly Scale's doped linen and olive drab as a combination.

After these major parts have been painted and assembled, a few additional details can be added. Behind each pilot seat are boxes that are used by the gunners. They are the width of the seat and attach to the framework. I used an I-beam and sheet stock to make several of these. Each seat also has an overhead air vent that is noticeable in all the pictures I have. Some angled cuts to bar stock will suffice. The overhead console has as many knobs and dials as the main console. Cobra Company provides this in their MH-60 K conversion. I postponed installation until I returned home. Fortunately this only required leaving the front windscreen unglued. Connecting the glass proved to be a source of frustration, putty and sanding in later stages.

Although this was to be a moderate detail project, I was not content to stop at this level of detailing. I also cut away the front electronics bay hatch. This required careful cutting with a jeweler's saw. The cuts come close to the chin windows, and this 1-2mm section of plastic will be very flexible - take care. Surprisingly, the kit's floorboard extends right to the front of the nose, and will leave a very minimal gap. Superglue adds much strength and support here. The electronics bay itself is 2 plates that fit in behind the instrument panel. A center section is open (much like a pickup truck's rear window) such that the back of the panel is visible. This was great because the Cutting Edge set has detail on the back of the instrument panel. Half my work was already done. The front side of the bay houses black and silver boxes in a stacked fashion. Each has a handle, and is wired back to the instrument panel. A few moments of creativity and the results were impressive. The underside of the lifting panel required a box to be built around the cooling vent. Bar stock and sheet styrene made this quick work. The compartment is coloured black, while the access panel is a yellow / brown fiberglass shade. Now with the interior completed, it was time to really get this thing put together.

I found that the underside joint was going to be very flexible, so I glued in some styrene tabs to help strengthen this area. The halves glue together very well, but the underside benefited from a coating of thick CA. The engine compartment built up around the upper fuselage and only required a small amount of liquid putty for touch-ups. Adding all the other small accessory parts to the kit goes quickly, and helps the helicopter take shape. I found several blade antennas and a "towel rack" antenna like on Canada's Griffen's are all that need to be scratchbuilt. Eduard has a brass P/E sheet that will add to the Blackhawk's exterior detailing. It includes various grills, cable cutters, and small parts for the rotors. I copied many of these in styrene and saved the P/E parts for the K model. As mentioned, the rotors can use some detailing as well. Photos are hard to find in books, but I had taken pictures at several airshows. The general shape of the hubs are wrong, with many bolts, braces and tubing its hard to transform their accuracy.

Painting for the Blackhawk series was fairly simple. Most of the United States Army helicopters are painted in a dark green drab. The Pavehawk however is used by the Air Force and therefore bends this rule with 3 different schemes. A TAC scheme with two greens over grey, a Desert camouflage of tan over sand and a new all gunship grey scheme. Having limited myself by what colours I threw into my baggage, I planned to go with the Gunship Grey scheme, but since the kit was completed back at home, I went with the more attractive TAC scheme. Weathering can be kept to a minimum, or given a battle worn finish. My subject is modeled after the 55th Special Ops unit stationed Stateside at Hulbert Field. I have kept it clean except for some minor exhaust staining from the APU. The decals respond well to Gunze's product and disappear with the final satin coat.

The conversion of the Minicraft MH-60K follows exactly the same detailing as mentioned above. The difference being the complete replacement of the nose ahead of the windshield. Cobra Company provides a new plug complete with an accurately shaped TACAN radar and FLIR units. The set also replaces numerous bumps and humps that house many numerous added electronics and countermeasures. Although these are somewhat accounted for with the kit, Cobra has all the parts correctly shaped. This will tie the Pavehawk in well with the MH-60K sister ship for a display. They are both used for the night insertion / extraction role.

I enjoyed the build up of this helicopter, evenings and weekends up in Inuvik are long and uneventful. Spending time building helped relieve the monotony and maintained my sanity!