ICM 48370 - 1:48 AH-6J Little Bird US Special Forces Attack Helicopter

Plastic model kit of the AH-6J Little Bird US special-forces attack helicopter in 1:48 scale

ICM 48370 is a kit for self-assembly representing the AH-6J Little Bird light attack helicopter. The aircraft belongs to the family of light helicopters derived from the Hughes design, and in its armed form it became one of the most recognisable aircraft of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR), known as the “Night Stalkers”.

The model comes from a new mould and offers several assembly options depending on the chosen marking. The armament parts, including rocket launchers, are provided on separate sprues. The clear parts are packed separately to protect them from scratching.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the helicopter parts (new mould)
• Clear parts for the cabin glazing
• Armament parts (rocket launchers) on separate sprues
• Decal sheet for 4 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Specifications:

• Scale: 1:48
• Catalogue number: 48370
• Manufacturer: ICM
• Assembled length: approx. 182 mm
• Difficulty level: intermediate

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

Assembly:

Despite its small size the model is made up of many parts and offers several assembly options, so it is worth following the instructions closely to match the parts to the chosen marking. The cockpit and interior are best painted before the fuselage is closed. Assembling the rocket launchers is relatively straightforward, but careful finishing of the detail improves the final result.

The 160th Regiment's Little Birds were most often painted black; the instructions provide paint suggestions for each option. The model can be finished with a matt or satin varnish and the detail emphasised with a wash. The kit does not include glazing masks – the window frames can be painted by hand or with separately available masking tape.

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
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to bring out the detail

About the helicopter – AH-6 Little Bird:

The Little Bird traces its origins to the US Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) programme announced in 1961. The competition was won by the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, first flown in 1963 and in series production from 1966. Production rights later passed to McDonnell Douglas, which developed its own variants, one of which became the basis for the military Little Bird versions.

The Little Bird is used in two main roles: assault transport (MH-6) and attack (AH-6). The AH-6 version carries armament – including unguided rocket launchers and machine guns – and is used for direct fire support and for covering special-operations missions.

It is a single-rotor helicopter with a tail rotor, powered by a single turboshaft engine and fitted with skid landing gear. These aircraft are used intensively by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment in operations around the world, and the Little Bird has become one of the unit's calling cards.

Original aircraft specifications (AH-6 Little Bird):

• Crew: 2 pilots
• Powerplant: a single turboshaft engine
• Landing gear: skids
• Armament: unguided rocket launchers and machine guns
• Role: fire support and covering special-operations missions
• Operator: 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR)

About the manufacturer – ICM:

ICM is a Ukrainian manufacturer of model kits based in Kyiv, active in the modelling market since the 1990s. The company specialises in injection-moulded plastic kits covering aircraft, military and civilian vehicles, equipment and figures, and in recent years it has also developed its own line of acrylic paints and modelling chemistry. ICM is known for tooling new moulds and for choosing subjects rarely offered by other manufacturers. Its kits are characterised by finely reproduced detail and careful parts engineering. Releases often appear in variants pairing the same machine with different equipment, figures or configurations. Today the brand is recognised by modellers worldwide and available in many countries.