Project SH-60F Oceanhawk 2017

The Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk has been the mainstay of US Navy helicopter squadrons since practically its introduction in the service. The "Seahawk" is the naval derivative of the ubiquitous land-based UH-60 "Black Hawk" series transport helicopters. Origins of the UH-60 go as far back as the 1970s to which the helicopter recorded its first flight on November 29th, 1974 and formally entered service with the United States Army in 1979. Over 4,000 units have been delivered and serving across multiple military forces around the globe. The UH-60 was then adopted by the United States Navy in a naval form with a first flight recorded on December 12th, 1979. Formal introduction into service occurred in 1984. The SH-60 remains the primary helicopter of the United States Navy, in various roles.

As such, as squadrons honored their respective CAG or Unit CO with a special livery that usually applied a unique design to the aircraft's aft body and tail, with the paint subject as varied as location of deployment, squadron's ensign, USN special occasions and so on, multiple examples of these unique aircraft were flown.

The private NF 610 inspired SH/MH-60's are delivered at Miramar.

Two photos of NF 610, BuNo 164460 in Japan. The real one.

The choice of this particular aircraft as the first historic SH-60 of this kind was due to a private order from a close friend whom I granted the making of a US Navy livery, which Eight Shades of Blue usually creates for S.L. U.S.N. squadrons only. The conditions were several, starting with the client's agreement regarding the "semi-exclusivity" of the livery, since the historical version would be assign a place in the S.L. U.S.N.. Also, the private version is not an exact replica, being more "inspired" by the model here shown. It was given a random SDN (618) and a private serial with an Eight Shades of Blue prefix and no digits (ESBVIC). There was also no HS-14 emblem applied to it. Having agreed to the terms the project was concluded and the work on the historical model for the S.L. U.S.N. started, resulting in the work you see above and mentioned in NAS Miramar's weblog (see here). Curiously enough, the same client likes this particular tail so much she wishes to have it adapted to several other helicopter types she owns, under the exact same terms applied to the SH-60.
But only the Navy has the BuNo 164460 NF-610.

Notes: The choice between the "Battle E" certification and the HS-14 eagle pods was not easy but I went with the pods - which I couldn't find in the "E" period photos. Also, due to the way the tail stabilizer is made it is impossible to apply a texture to it. A complete replica with "CHARGERS" painted on it would depend on Spijkers & Wingtips developing a new stabilizer.

Click on image to enlarge.

LIVERY COST:
The cost of a Spijkers & Wingtips SH-60 or MH-60 unique custom livery is 3,000 L$ with guaranteed exclusive and support for 12 months. Installation by Eight Shades required and included. Auto paint delivery system available soon. Textures permissions: no mod, copy, no transfer.

AIRCRAFT PROFILE COST:
The cost of a Spijkers & Wingtips SH-60 or MH-60 unique aircraft profile using the unique livery ordered is 500 L$. Supplied with frame. Permissions: no mod, copy, no transfer.

TIME TO COMPLETION:
48 hours from start, 72 hours with profile. Start depending on lined up and ongoing work.

AIRCRAFT INFO:
.:S&W:. SH-60 Seahawk v1.2.1
Spijkers & Wingtips SL Market Place store link (URL here). You can also find the SH-60 in a vendor at Honah Lee Trudeau (SLUR here).

Note: Similar color schemes without U.S.N.S.L. markings but using generic Navy markings are available on demand. S.L. U.S.N.. Third Fleet orders have a special discount on this type. See Third Fleet price list here!

Asra Kron
Eight Shades of Blue

Disclaimer:
All references in this entry refer only to the item illustrated.