Introduction:

HH-60G Pave Hawk is a medium lift combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter built by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for the US Air Force. The primary mission of the HH-60G is recovery of personnel from hostile regions. The helicopter additionally executes search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, security cooperation, counter drug activities, Nasa space shuttle support and rescue command and control missions.

Pave Hawks have regularly operated during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and continue to be operated in Operation Enduring Freedom, supporting Army and Marine Corps ground combat operations and standby search and rescue support for U.S. and Coalition fixed-wing combat aircraft supporting those ground operations.

Adapted from: https://www.airforce-technology.com

Review:

Live Resin offers HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crew figures in 1/35 scale, all designed to fit Pave Hawk/Black Hawk kits from Kitty Hawk and Academy. This review covers HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crew set - Door Gunner left side (LRM-35026), while the reviews of other figures and accessories in this series can be accessed here: link.

The kit comes in a hard cardboard box with CAD images showing the figure from several angles, as well as standing in the helicopter gun port manning the .50 cal machine gun. The kit does not include the machine gun, which is available separately from Live Resin as UH60 External Gun Mount System GAU-18 M2 Version (LRE-35333).

Opening the box reveals a single zip-lock bag with 15 resin pieces, additionally protected using bubble wrap. Here is a list of kit parts:

- torso,
- legs,
- right arm,
- left arm,
- head w helmet,
- left boot,
- right boot,
- equipment pieces (8x).

The pieces are provided in grey resin and the casting quality is superb. There are no air-bubbles or seam lines on the pieces, only some thin flash residue to clean using the back of the X-acto knife. As with all Live Resin kits I reviewed so far, the details are perfectly delivered in resin. The casting blocks are large, but fairly easy to remove using a pair of sharp side cutters, X-acto knife and some sanding paper. Be sure to wear a mask while sanding resin, as the tiny particles can be hazardous to the airways.

The fit of the pieces is excellent. Designed with rectangular protrusions, the main figure pieces are easy to position optimally. I had minimal putty work to perform, which is a big plus. The equipment pieces are supplied separately and can be attached to the figure in many different ways obtaining a custom gear setup. I decided to follow the box art for this review sample.

The figure wears Army Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU), a two piece flight suit similar to the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) but with some aviator-specific modifications. Over the uniform, the figure wears Air Warrior Primary Survival Gear Carrier (PSGC) system, a modular combat aircrew ensemble, with ammo magazine pouches and several other PSGC system elements. On his head the figure sports HGU56/P helmet with Maxillofacial Shield and ANVIS NVG mount. All the details of the uniform and equipment are well defined and accurately delivered.

The pose of the figure looks very realistic, leaning on the machine gun and looking through the gun port on the side of the fuselage. As I don’t have the UH60 External Gun Mount System GAU-18 M2 Version (LRE-35333) in my stash, I can’t comment on the fit of this figure to the weapon system. Since the right hand is depicted holding the unique pistol-type GAU-18 grips, I think there should be no serious issues in fitting the figure to the specified machine gun kit, or the Pave Hawk/Black Hawk models for that matter.

Conclusion:

HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crew set - Door Gunner left side (LRM-35026) figure kit perfectly represents all that Live Resin stands for: impressive cast, superb fit and easy assembly. The finished figure provides a realistic and accurate representation of modern US Army airman in 1/35 scale. Together with the rest of the helo crew released under Live Resin label, the figure offers a perfect “human touch” to Pave Hawk/Black Hawk 1/35 scale model kits.


Live Resin kits are available from: https://models-hobby.com/.