Skunkworks is a brand name from Lucky Models. They have released some really unique sets in the past including weapons sets, Navy deck tractors, and UAVs. This is one the first of their new helicopters, the HH-60H Rescue Hawk. The Rescue Hawk is a development of the SH-60F Seahawk designed to retrieve downed aviators behind enemy lines.

The kit comes in a colorful end opening box with some really nice photos of the built model. The basis of this kit is based on Italeri molds. It is molded in light grey plastic. The kit has recessed panel lines and some really fine rivets. The detail is very nice. Along with the grey plastic is a sprue of clear parts from the Italeri kit. If that was all that was included you’d say, yeah whooped deedo. Skunkworks adds more, a lot more. First off there are two new sprues one molded in clear plastic, including new cockpit doors. This will prevent the unsightly join that inevitably comes from adding the window to a plastic door. The other sprue is in a light grey plastic with some of the sensors and mission specific items.

On top of that there is a pre-painted fret from Eduard. These pieces are just what a helicopter cockpit needs. Included are the instrument panels, seat belts and rudder pedals. I can’t paint this level of detail.

The decals are printed by Cartograf so you know they are perfect. The markings on the three aircraft are either black or grey so there isn’t a lot of color but this opens up a world for weathering.

The instructions are the Italeri instructions with notes for where the new parts go. I found the instructions to be one spot that lets the kit down. The detailing set is at the end of the instructions. It would have been better to have it where it is applicable in the build. They could have done better.

There is one more omission that I noticed: there is no interior mission equipment included. This might be a big thing for many but the interior is going to be very difficult to see once built. A quick internet search didn’t turn up any information.

So let’s see a quality kit, new parts including clear parts, pre-painted photo etch and world class decals, what more could a modeler ask for? How about a printed base of a carrier deck to pose the model on? That is the quality of work. The printed base is really nice and a quick attachment to a wooden base or picture frame and you have the beginnings of a nice diorama.

Quality kit, new specific sprues, world class decals, pre-painted photo etch, and a display base. I couldn’t think of anything else to make this a quality kit especially at the asking price.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Lucky Models and IPMS/USA for the review copy.