ICM 1:48 MH-60L Black Hawk Operation Gothic Serpent

[Fran]

 

 

1:48

MH-60L Black Hawk

 

 

ICM

Catalogue n.º No. 48363

Available around 50€ at Art Scale.

 

The ICM 1:48 MH-60L Black Hawk (No. 48360) and the ICM 1:48 Black Hawk Down, Operation Gothic Serpent are two model kits representing the iconic Sikorsky MH-60L Black Hawk helicopter used by U.S. Special Forces.

 

Today we will be looking ICM 1:48 Black Hawk Down, Operation Gothic Serpent

As happens before, this release is a is a rebox of the earlier MH-60L Black Hawk kit (No. 48360) with specific additions tailored to represent the helicopters involved in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu.

 

This release is invoking the Battle of Mogadishu (that has happen as US Special forces undertake the “Operation Gothic Serpent” that took place in 3th October of 1993.

In the Battle of Mogadishu, US Special Forces lost two Black Hawks, One was hit at 16:20 and the other at 16:40. Specifically, Black Hawk Super 61 (Thunderstruck) and Super 64 (Venom) were shot down, and Super 62 (Rude dude) and Super 68 (Razors Edge) were also hit with RPGs, though they survived the initial impact.

The violence of the Battle caused several casualties in both side with 18 KIA for in Ranger and Deltas forces and more than 80 injuries.

 

 

 

 

This battle was represented by Hollywood, as in 2001, its was release the movie *Black Hawk Down*.

 

So this release is designed to capture the MH-60L Black Hawk used by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), also known as the "Night Stalkers," during Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia.

 For that, ICM includes new parts and decals to reflect the specific configurations and markings of that historic mission.

 

This release gives the modeler two new sprues: K and L.

 

Also will give you a lots of spares parts comparing with the original release where all parts were used in construction, on this box, a lot of parts are not to be use, starting for all the chairs on the compartment and other specific details or the absence of that detail.

 

 

So in the end you get approximately 302 parts that is based on the base MH-60L kit, with additional parts for the Operation Gothic Serpent configuration, like FLIR, nose radar and internal fuel tank. 

The kit is designed to represent the MH-60L Black Hawk as used in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, a pivotal event where the helicopter’s versatility and resilience were showcased. The decals and additional parts aim to replicate the specific helicopters involved, including their weathered appearance and mission-specific modifications.

 

No much to say more about the gray plastic recessed and raised detail, the kit features accurate panel lines, rivet details, and surface textures that replicate the MH-60L’s rugged design. The rotor blades are well-molded and the landing gear is qute detail directly from the box, which is quite good.

 

 

 

 

 

   As for the interior, straight from the box, this model kit, as actual usual in ICM model kits are very good with instrument panels, control sticks, aand others small details. As for the instruments, also decals are given. The only negative parts is no seatbelts.

 

 

 

 

  AS for the clear parts, these are just perfect as all clear parts I have seen from Miniart.

 

 

  

You also can be see here, in our review of the first ICM release of the MH-60L.

https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/20566-148-icm-mh-60l-black-hawk/

 

And also this one:

https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/20592-148-icm-uh-60a-black-hawk-defense-intelligence-of-ukraine/

  

So lets check the two new sprues.

So the sprue K brings a new lower nose cone for marking option B (without nose radar, but with the FLIR turret), that meaning thati s for the Super 62 “Rude Dude”.

 

Here on this sprue also have a modified left suspension for the landing gear, narrow parts for the early tail, and finally a different antenna for the roof behind the "disco light".

 So if you want a black Hawk from Mogadishu 1993, you neeed to pick up this release not only for the decals but also for the small and essencial details.

   

As for the sprue L and checking the instructions, it´s some canisters and bags and also an additional internal fuel tank placed in the compartiment (which is only intended for Super 63 “Grim Reaper”).

 

 

 

         The decal sheet on this one is big one, with markings only for MH-60L Black Hawks involved in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu featuring accurate unit insignias and numbers relevant to the operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 So, this first one is MH-60L Black Hawk 91-26324 (Super 61 “Thunderstruck”) – 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Somalia, autumn 1993.

   

 

 

 

 

The second one is MH-60L Black Hawk 89-26186 (Super 62 “Rude Dude”) – 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Somalia, autumn 1993.

 

 

The third is the MH-60L Black Hawk 90-26257 (Super 63 “Grim Reaper”) – 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Somalia, autumn 1993.

 

 

 

The fourth is the MH-60L Black Hawk 89-26188 (Super 64 “Venom”) – 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Somalia, autumn 1993.

 

 

 

 

The fifth option is the MH-60L Black Hawk 91-26363 (Super 66 “Gun-Slinger”) – 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Somalia, autumn 1993.

 

 

 

The last but not the least, the MH-60L Black Hawk 90-26288 (Super 68 “Razor Edge”) – 160^th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Somalia, autumn 1993.

 

 

 

The manual isntructions is a booklet of 20 pages with a small history about the Gothic Serpent operation on Mogadishu and step by step constructions with good locations parts and color indications.

QR code is always a nice touch.

 

 CONCLUSION:

 

Well, making this review made me watch the “Black Hawk Down” movie again. And also a great documentary on Netflix about Mogadishu battle that I strongly recommend to all even if this model is not for you.

 The model itself is fantastic in all terms (just seatbelts in PE, please ICM) to be build straight from the box. If you are a bit of suckers fro aftermarkets they are showing up several new goodies to make this beauty in a total showstopper.

I confess I really love this one, and I going to dive to it asap to make a homage to the fallen in Mogadishu, Somália, in 1993.

 

Thanks so much ICM for the piece of History.

 

 

TOTALLY RECOMMEND!!!!!