The NH90 NFH Navy is a helicopter that not only looks modern but also represents modern missions, because it was developed for maritime operations on frigates and for missions such as submarine hunting and search and rescue. For us model builders, this is exciting because a single aircraft allows you to showcase many typical naval details, such as sensors, armament, maritime surfaces and the peculiarities of shipboard operations, which have a completely different effect than those of an army helicopter on a dusty field airstrip.
Go directly to the NH90 in the Revell Shop
We capture exactly this role and include, for example, the integrated sonar system and two torpedoes as distinctive equipment features, which directly provide a clear story, namely submarine combat and armed maritime patrol instead of pure transport. In addition, the 1:72 scale offers you a good balance because it provides enough surface for clean painting and subtle weathering, but still remains compact if you already maintain a naval display case with ships or other aircraft.
The Original and its Maritime DNA
The NH90 is a European twin-engine multi-role helicopter built in two main variants, with the NFH version designed as a navalised NATO Frigate Helicopter for shipboard operations. In its maritime role, the NFH is used for tasks such as submarine warfare and search and rescue, where the ability to land on ships and the integration of maritime mission systems are particularly crucial.
One aspect that is often overlooked is the technical ambition of the platform, because the NH90 is considered the first production helicopter with fully fly-by-wire flight controls and extensive use of composite materials. NHIndustries also emphasizes for the NFH a redundant fly-by-wire system, a completely composite-built corrosion-free airframe and an integrated weapon system, which explains why the NH90 can hold up so well in the maritime environment in the long term, because saltwater and shipboard operations are merciless on materials and mechanics.
Historical Context and Key Milestones
When looking at the history, it helps to see the NFH development as part of a larger programme that was intended to bring together many nations and roles. According to Airforce Technology, the first NH90 deliveries took place on 13 December 2006, while the first NFH made its maiden flight in August 2007, which nicely illustrates the temporal staggering between the transport and naval versions. For the French Navy, the shipboard compatibility tests were already completed in 2009 and the helicopter entered operational service in December 2011.
Sensors and armament are not prominent just like that, because the helicopter is not only a weapon carrier but part of an entire chain of sonar, sonobuoys, data processing and weapon effects.
Submarine Hunting as a Story and What Makes the Model Tick
We particularly highlight the integrated sonar system and two torpedoes on the model and these two details are the heart of the typical NFH narrative, that the helicopter not only attacks but above all detects, classifies and engages targets for the fleet.
If you want to make more than just a pure display model from the kit, this is a rewarding approach, because you can build your presentation around a plausible mission idea. This could be a shipboard scene on a deck, a scene with lowered sonar in hover flight or a pure maintenance scene with open doors, because the model has movable cargo doors that can be depicted open or closed, which opens up great possibilities for dioramas.
Painting, Decals and National Variants
You get two decal variants for German and French naval versions, which gives you the choice between two optically and historically well-established operators. Especially in 1:72 scale, the effect of markings is great because they structure surfaces and visually break up the modern single-colour base coat, which is why it pays to work cleanly when applying the decals and then to calm the carrier film edges with a subtle clear coat.
In terms of content, the German-French selection also fits well with the character of the NH90 programme, because it is a European collaborative product and the finished model can very well show that modern naval aviators in Europe are rarely purely national soloists.
Kit Facts and the Most Important for Your Build Planning
The NH90 NFH Navy kit comes in 1:72 scale and with 159 parts. The finished model has a rotor diameter of 15.6 cm and a recommended age of 12 years at build level 4.
Go directly to the NH90 in the Revell Shop
Build Inspirations
The Bundeswehr was kind enough to provide some inspirations for this or that diorama 😉