Review

This, I believe, is the 4th Apache helicopter kit released by ICM. It arrives in a substantial cardboard flip- top tray and an additional separate card lid. This offers a level of protection which is normally sufficient protection unless abused. An examination of the contents reveals no moulding issues beyond some ejector pin marks. The gates are of a reasonable size and quantity. There are a few finely moulded pieces, that will require care to avoid breakage, however, a number of these should the worst happens could be easily replaced with metal or plastic stock cut to size. The first thing that you will notice with this release, is that there area number of parts marked not for use and I have to say even I was surprised at the quantity.

The interior aspects of this release, have been very well thought out and moulded in such a manner that it will ease construction. The instrument panels are decorated with decals to cover all of the flight instruments. The relevant helicopter controls are also all present. The suitcase style ammunition feeds for the miniguns have also been replicated, but you will need to consider the feed from the ammunition storage to the guns themselves. As usual with ICM, harness detail has not been replicated, and if the only aspect of the kit that I can really think should be present, and lets down what is a very nice model. One of the things that I do like about the construction of the kit, is that the interior of the helicopter is constructed completely as a separate module, which to me will ease painting and weathering and I can see this being a well received by modellers. 

The fuselage is constructed of 3 main panels and is built around the previously constructed interior. There are a number of holes that need to be drilled, and thankfully the drill size has been provided. Some minor surgery is also required, on a small number of areas to remove plastic. However I do not see this causing an issue if you use sanding sticks and a knife. The blister nose of the aircraft has been well replicated, and this area is also an optional finish aspect.

There is no real engine detail provided in this release, and if I am honest is not really needed. However, the cowlings around the engines and exhaust systems are well detailed and a pleasing aspect to the model. The doors on this release, can be shown open or closed, and so if you have gone to town on the interior you can easily show this off. Due to the design of the front wheels suspension legs accuracy has built into the model an area that I believe could be easily broken and as such it may be worth considering looking for metal aftermarket options to remove this risk. There is a considerable amount of very fine exterior detail that needs to be added, no counting the 2 miniguns that are mounted on each side of the aircraft. I have given these a good look over, and for most I believe they will meet expectations. But for those who really like their aftermarket detail, the barrels or even the complete weapons system could be added, but if you are going down this route, I would try and find one that comes with the magazine feeds. 

A negative aspect of this release, is an area we have encountered in other releases of this kit and that is the need to drill hole in very precise positions using measurements marked in 10ths of a millimetre and as previously, I would consider removing the locator lugs that fits into these holes and using a Mk 1 eyeball to position the parts - rather than drill holes and find out you have got it wrong. The rotor head is a nicely detailed part of the model, and has been kept as simple as possible while still providing that nice detail. 

ICM has provided a pattern for cutting your own masks should you wish to go down that route. I feel ICM has missed a trick with this release, as the repel ropes used for lowering troops could have been supplied in stiffer material that would have support the aircraft in flight as I think this would really have marked this kit out, as something exceptionally special.

ICM has provided 6 finishing options for this release:

MH-60L, Black Hawk 91-324 (Super 61 Thunderstruck) 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, (Airborne) Somalia, Autumn 1993

MH-60L, Black Hawk 89-26186 (Super 62 Rude Dude), 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Somalia, Autumn 1993

MH-60L, Black Hawk 90-26257 (Super 63 Grimm Reaper), 

MH-60L, Black Hawk 89-26188 (Super 64 Venom),

MH-60L, Black Hawk 91-26363 (Super 66 Gunslinger),

MH-60L, Black Hawk 90-26288 (Super 68 Razors edge),