1:48 UH-60 miniguns M134 PRINT

Eduard — UH-60: M134 Minigun rotary machine guns, 3D print (PRINT) 1:48

A supplementary set from Eduard, made by direct 3D printing. It is not a model of the helicopter but its armament — M134 Minigun rotary machine guns for a UH-60 Black Hawk model in 1:48 scale. On the Black Hawk the miniguns are mounted in the side door windows as defensive armament and they are among the most conspicuous details of the whole machine: a six-barrel rotary machine gun with a high rate of fire, which draws the eye on a model at once.

It is on weapons that 3D printing pays off most. The fine barrels printed in one piece have the correct, thin diameter and they are straight — injection-molded plastic can never catch up with that in a small scale, because molds call for draft angles and the barrels come out needlessly thick. The structure of the body of the gun and the mount is sharp too. The parts replace the corresponding parts of the base kit.

Procedure and use

• Wash the parts in lukewarm water with detergent and let them dry properly.
• Cut the print supports off with a sharp knife; on the thin barrels work in short cuts and never snap them.
• Sand the marks left by the supports with fine paper, ideally wet and always with airway protection (a respirator).
• Glue them with cyanoacrylate — cement for plastic will not bond resin.
• Paint them over primer; pick out the metal effect of the barrels with a dark wash and a fine dry brush.
• Fit the weapons at the end of the build — protruding barrels break off easily during handling.

Who the set is for

For modelers building the UH-60 Black Hawk in 1:48 who want realistic armament instead of softly shaped plastic parts. The set suits anyone ready to take on resin and cyanoacrylate; the reward is detail that shows on a model at first glance.

This is an accessory, not a model. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package. Use a respirator when sanding resin and work in a ventilated space.