1:48 ICM MH-6J Little Bird

[rverissimo]

ICM 1:48 MH-6J Little Bird

US special Forces Helicopter

Ref: 48369

Price Tag : 31,20€

Available here

Introduction

The MH‑6J Little Bird is a specialised variant derived from the Hughes/MD 500 family, originally developed under the 1960s LOH program and later refined to meet the needs of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), the famed Night Stalkers. Designed for rapid insertion and extraction of special forces, it combines compact dimensions, exceptional agility, and the ability to carry operators on external benches, making it ideal for discreet missions in complex environments. These characteristics have made the Little Bird an icon of modern special operations—and an especially appealing subject for scale modellers.

In terms of modelling offerings, since the 1980s Hasegawa, Fujimi and Academy / Minicraft, have released several kits of the Hughes 500 family, mostly covering the early OH‑6 and MH‑6 variants of this versatile light helicopter. However, the more recent iterations of this little “bird” have long been overlooked—until this new release from ICM, which finally provides a modern, well‑detailed tooling of this specialised version.

What’s in the Box

Inside the box we find two (!!) grey sprues and one sprue with the clear parts, for a total of 147 parts, plus an instruction booklet, a decal sheet, and an ICM colour chart.
I must admit that when I first received the box, I was expecting something… well, larger 😊 — but great surprises often come in small packages!
My first impression was indeed: so few parts? 😄 Two sprues!
A more detailed inspection quickly confirmed my expectations. The fuselage comes with recessed panel lines and raised rivets, exactly as it should. The layout of the parts allows for a quick and straightforward build.

One detail that stood out while reviewing the instructions: out of all the parts, only two are not used in this model! Quite unusual! 😄

Sprue A

This sprue provides the main structural elements of the model.
The fuselage is supplied in two longitudinal halves (left and right), and the external detail immediately stands out: recessed panel lines for the engine covers and maintenance access panels and raised rivets and reinforcement plates with the correct size and definition for a compact kit like this.

The main structural cockpit components are also present, such as the floor and the firewall separating the cockpit from the transport area.

Avionics and flight control components are included and display very good detail, which will stand out beautifully once painted.

The seats do not include moulded-on seatbelts. One must scratch-build them or use aftermarket replacements.
The tail is moulded as a separate piece, which eases assembly and handling, and can conveniently be added after painting.

The tailplane is provided in four individual parts, each featuring subtle raised reinforcement plates.

No engine is included — only the exhaust nozzle.

Sprue B

This sprue supplies the smaller components that complete the model.
Here we have various antennas and external avionics/communication boxes.

All the components for the main rotor are included here, providing an accurate representation of this critical part of the helicopter.

Additional small cockpit parts are present, such as pedals, cyclic sticks, and engine collective controls.

An interesting and original detail is the inclusion of door handles (both interior and exterior). One of the build options allows the model to be displayed with or without the cockpit doors.

Sprue G

This small sprue contains the clear parts, which are free from distortion and scratches. The photos do not do justice to their quality.

The large, slightly concave front windscreen immediately stands out and fits onto the nose section.
The front doors and various navigation lights make up the remaining pieces.

The framing detail is excellent, with raised rivets that look fantastic once painted.
For those who prefer to cut their own paint masks, the raised frames will greatly ease the process.

Decals

The small decal sheet provides markings for four aircraft, all belonging to the 160th SOAR

Two stencil options are included for each aircraft:

• buzz numbers and U.S. Army identification in black, or
• in olive drab.

Instrument panel dials are included (separate, without background).
A small “no fear” inscription is supplied for one aircraft, to be placed on the nose.
The rest of the stencils are generic. White rotor-blade stripes are also provided as decals.

The quality is in line with ICM’s usual standard, with good colour saturation, minimal carrier film, and sharp printing.

Instructions

As typical of ICM, the A4 booklet with 12 pages presents the assembly 67 steps clearly and without ambiguity, making it easy to follow.
The first page lists the colours needed for the full paint scheme.

Marking Options

As noted earlier, four marking options are included — all aircraft from the 160th SOAR, circa the 1990s, and all painted in a single dark shade (a greyish black) with low-visibility markings appropriate for the stealthy role these aircraft performed.

 

Conclusion

This is a small but excellent model of an iconic helicopter, immortalized in the film “Black Hawk Down”.
The simplicity of the parts makes it appealing both to beginners and to experienced modellers.

Without doubt, this new kit of this compact helicopter will surely lead to other versions in the near future (hopefully!), such as armed, naval, or even civilian variants.

Until then, we have this little modelling gem — highly recommended!

My thanks to ICM for providing the review sample!