AI BlackHawk

[John Young]

Thanks Chris. That's really useful, as always.

John

[dworjan]

Looks really good to me! If there's anything else that comes up, just ask! Especially if you need Romeo or Sierra pictures.

Oh, and just to be "that guy" who makes the really random request on what is an already amazing and extensive project, Firehawks. Several 60s have received mods for firefighting. Just a handful though, so it definitely falls below the threshold of being worth the time to model, but still. They do look cool.

http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewphoto. ... 524&Size=L

But on a more serious note, really looking forward to these models. There is so much that the Hawks cover, even just in the US.

Chris

[John Young]

The Firehawk looks interesting Chris and I like the paint scheme. The modification doesn't look too difficult - just additional/replacement parts. From a quick look, there's no major surgery on the fuselage doors and windows required, or a re-map of the fuselage textures, all of which are the time consuming bits.

Don't hold me to it, but I might yet do that model as something a bit different.

John

[dworjan]

John,

I haven't looked into the Firehawks really closely, but I believe the only unique modifications are the extended struts for the landing gear, and the water tank. I know there is no MAJOR change to the interiors, since they're supposed to be dual role and carry firefighters to remote areas as well as conducting water drops. If you want me to look into them any more, let me know. They have spotlights, and I've seen them with FLIR balls or the nose radar bulb, but I don't know what they're currently outfitted with. I can see what google has to say if you'd like.

Chris

[John Young]

That's OK Chris, thanks. I've already done a bit of research and I have what I need. As you say, apart from the tank, the main gear is modified with some additional struts and extended Oleos that gives that distinctive nose up static pitch.

John

[MIKE JG]

This would be a cool additional model version as well, just have to add the skis to the landing gear.

[John Young]

So, that's an HH-60G (Pavehawk) with skis. Based at Elmendorf I would think. That's worth doing too, particularly as it's a simple modification.

John

[ahs06]

Looks like several US Army units also operate with skis.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marinehawk12/4296332447/
http://theaviationist.com/2012/04/25/chopper-pics/

[John Young]

Good progress this week despite a spell of hot weather in the UK (at least by UK standards):

One of the Jayhawks has now been upgraded to a "T" version with the additional hardware under the nose.

I've also made the ski option for the Elmendorf Pave Hawks:



The big job this week though was the VH_60N Wite Hawk with it's "car-type" doors on the right hand side, a luxury cabin, a new window layout and an array of sticky out bits:





The White Hawk makes a nice stable mate to the big revamp to the old Elvis" Marine 1 Sea King that I did a few months back and is now awaiting release:



Next job is to turn the "L" into an "M" with the new top mounted exhausts and few other minor changes. That shouldn't take very long. Then finally, the Firehawk, which is also quite straight forward.

Hopefully, after some final tests and adjustments, I'm hoping to have a test package of 14 model variations ready by next weekend, but don't hold me to it. The fine weather is due to continue......

John

[jeanpy]

[jetmax]

Agreed! By the way, have I missed the estimated release date?

[reconmercs]

These are looking gorgeous John keep up the good work!

[clickclickdoh]

One small note John, the flag is backwards on the right engine of the VH-60N. Blue field always advancing on vehicles.

And that's my trivial nitpick moment of the day.

That's beautiful work you have done there.

[Bora]

Wooowww, this is amazing work again ! Very impressive !!

[John Young]

Thanks Click. The right side flag is now the right way round.

John

[dworjan]

These all look really good. I'm quite excited to have the Hawks in the sim. They're going to be everywhere!

Chris

[MIKE JG]

Sweet! John you do such a nice job with the textures as well!

[MIKE JG]

They're going to be everywhere!

No doubt!

[MIKE JG]

John one last special version. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection now operate the L model with a few special mission modifications on the nose. Might be nice to have this one as well. They certainly have a unique paint job.

[John Young]

Got to do that one Mike - this is certainly a big family LOL.

What I'll do, I think, is get the test package ready for next weekend with all the military models in it, including the UH-60M and MH-60M, both with upturned exhausts that I'm working on at the moment. If I haven't managed to do the Firehawk and the U.S Customs and Border Protection models by then, I'll do them while the people here are having a play with the test package.

Question for Chris. You told me previously "Major external differences for a "L" to "M" are the upturned exhaust, folding stabilator, step fairings (below cockpit doors) and main rotor blade turned down tips". I'm not sure what I'm looking for with the folding stabilator. Where do I look please?

John