Piasecki’s “Flying Banana”
The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse / Shawnee / Flying Banana was the US Army's first principal helicopter in Vietnam. Deployed to Vietnam as early as December 1961, the US Army's 8th. and 57th. Transportation Companies utilised the H-21 to haul ARVN soldiers into combat against the VC. Some H-21's were also used in the gunship role.
The H-21 was a twin rotor design built around ONE 1425-hp Wright R-1820-103 radial piston engine. Max speed was 211 km/h. Climb rate was 329 m/min.
This is Italeri's 1/72 scale H-21 from the 57th. Transportation Company. The model was built OOB and only cables/wires hanging below the fuselage were added. Weathering was kept at a minimum. Humbrol enamels were used to give this old bird some colour.
A good job on this one, Morne...could you add a photo containing a "common object" in order we gauge the actual size of the model?
Thanks Craig. I will put a ballpoint pen next to it. Maybe a banana. 🙂
Nice looking Morne, the soft edging of the camo looks great.
Thanks for posting mate.
Thanks Simon! She sure is an odd looking helicopter. The crews flying them in Vietnam must have had guts! I am sure those Army pilots recited their version of the Air Force prayer every time they flew into a hot LZ. Any pilot would have felt very exposed in that cockpit that provided minimum protection.
I read the book Operation Chickenhawk by Robert Mason and that gave some graphic insights on landing in an hot zone.
Hi Simon. Also read it. It inspired me to build a Huey Hog in 1/35 scale.
I have got one in 1/48 scale in the stash somewhere?
One day I will build it with the grenade launcher etc.
Strangest heli I've ever seen! Some great detail on a small model there! Cool build!
Hi Richard. It is a small model but Italeri did a good job. Even the engine is provided. Albeit, once encased in the aft fuselage one can only see a fraction of it.
It does look like a complex kit. If you don't mind me asking, what is your preferred technique for bending the plastic? I am working on an Apache right now and I want to get that realistic weighted look to the rotors that you have achieved here. I've heard that a candle works, and also a microwave would work, but I'm no expert.
Italeri took care of that for me. Be VERY careful. Open flames and a microwave is something I would rather skip. On a 1/48 scale Apache I will bend the rotors with my fingers whilst holding it over a hot stove. The softness of the plastic sometimes allows you to bend it without using any heat that potentially could damge the plastic.
Ok cheers. I might try boiling water then actually. I'll let you know how I get on.
Something a little different from you Morne. Still very nice. That part is not different. Looks like all that cockpit glass fit pretty well.
Thanks Al. Fortunately it came as one piece. Imagine if each panel had to be glued in place. I don't normally build helicopters. Only ever built the Shawnee and a 1/35 scale Huey gunship.
Looks great Morne, very cool subject. Do Italeri supply the mesh for the various intakes?
Thanks Mike. Italeri was.very kind and provided the mesh as well. A little gem of a kit.
Hello Morne. Very nice! I am catching up and have been taking a look at your albums. I am fairly new and found them very inspiring. I have the Academy Hellcat in 1/72 with the same markings so you have given me something to aim for. I enjoyed the photos. Thanks.
Hi Alan. Thanks. Would love to see the finished Hellcat.
Ohhh! I like Morne. Very well done.
California Steve
Hi Steve. Thanks and likewise on your yellow bird!
Morane,
You did an outstanding job on this. I like everything you did with it.
Thanks Frank!
At first glance I thought it was a 'what if', but it isn't, it's true. What a weird looking thing that is just crying out to be modelled by an expert, and you've, predictably, done a superb job. Thank you for posting this, Morne.
Thanks for the thumbs up on my build!
Ausgezeichnet ! Hi Morne a great looking helicopter, i like it a lot. A perfect masking job and, as common, a great love to the detail !
Stunning, a good inspiration to start a helicopter.
Vielen Dank! You should do the Shawnee in the colours of the West German Luftwaffe. I think the French also used it in Algeria.
Good idea, there was a RoG version from this kit,with this markings. I have a Mil Mi-24 (1/72) in my stash, this can be a good start.
Can't wait to see the final product!
This is not the "hottest" upcoming project. The camo
dots still give me some fits and the Italeri "Hind" is not the best one, i guess i will go with the one from Zvezda and use the decals from RoG/Italeri...
Hi Morne, a twenty second dip in boiling hot water and a little gentle persuasion seems to have worked very well. Not a minute in an industrial pressure steamer as was first tested as that will almost melt the plastic, but I had the sense to test it on the sprues first!
Great Richard! Just be careful.
You had me there for a second Morne, I wasn't buying the camo on a US Army helicopter, but you had the proof right there in the photo's, so I learned something new today. 🙂
Another great looking build, as well.
The H-21 had a real insect look to it. The US Army quickly replaced them with the Huey in Vietnam.