ICM 48368 - 1:48 UH-60A Black Hawk with ESSS and Skis

Plastic model kit of the UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter with ESSS and skis in 1:48 scale

ICM 48368 depicts the American UH-60A Black Hawk utility helicopter in an interesting configuration with the ESSS external stores system and ski landing gear. This is a rarely seen variant adapted to operate on snow and boggy terrain, able to carry additional fuel tanks that greatly extend its range.

The model is based on the UH-60A mould and has been enriched with new parts, including 3D-printed skis. The ESSS system consists of side pylons that allow external fuel tanks of 230 or 450 gallons to be carried, giving the helicopter a ferry range of up to about 2,130 km.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the fuselage, rotors and interior
• Ski landing gear as 3D-printed parts
• ESSS system pylons with external fuel tanks
• Transparent cockpit glazing parts
• Decal sheet for 2 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:48
• Catalogue number: 48368
• Manufacturer: ICM
• Assembled length: approx. 414 mm
• Number of parts: 378
• Difficulty level: intermediate/advanced

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The model offers a detailed fuselage, rotors and cabin interior. The interior elements and transparent glazing are worth painting before they are enclosed, and the 3D-printed skis should be cleaned up and fitted with care, as they reproduce a delicate skid structure with openings for the wheels. The distinctive ESSS stores arrangement with tanks adds an expressive silhouette to the model.

For US National Guard Black Hawks, a uniform dark olive tone (Helo Drab / Field Green) with clear markings is typical. The fuselage and interior detail are worth emphasising with a wash, with the whole finished in a matt varnish typical of military machines.

Tools required:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement; cyanoacrylate glue for the 3D-printed parts
• Brushes of various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail

About the helicopter – Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk:

The UH-60 Black Hawk is an American utility transport helicopter whose prototype first flew in October 1974 and which entered service in 1979 as a successor to the legendary UH-1 Huey. The machine earned a reputation as rugged and versatile, capable of carrying troops, medical evacuation, resupply and a range of special missions.

The UH-60A is the first production version of the Black Hawk family. These helicopters served in many conflicts, including the operation on Grenada in 1983, and were praised for their resistance to combat damage. The ESSS system and ski landing gear extended the machine's operational capabilities, enabling longer-range flights and landings in difficult terrain.

Original aircraft specifications (UH-60A Black Hawk):

• Type: utility transport helicopter
• Fuselage length: approx. 15.26 m
• Main rotor diameter: approx. 16.36 m
• Height: approx. 5.13 m
• Powerplant: two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines
• First flight: 1974, in service from 1979
• ESSS system: external fuel tanks of 230 or 450 gallons

About the manufacturer – ICM:

ICM is a Ukrainian model-kit manufacturer based in Kyiv, active since the 1990s. The company is expanding its range of modern aircraft models, including helicopters, and also reaches for interesting special variants. ICM models feature carefully engineered moulds and rich detail, and the use of 3D-printed parts allows small, delicate elements to be reproduced with high precision.