International Scale Modeller

OK, fine! I guess I will join this build. LOL I was torn and the Banana was suggested. So I will go with that. Being a USAF guy, I of course want to do one of theirs. I found and after market set of decals that I will be ordering Fri. Otherwise it would be the blue French one. A blue banana just sounds interesting. LOL So while I await the decals and finish the F-5 I am doing, here is some info on this interesting copter from the Wikapedia.

Piasecki Helicopter designed and successfully sold to the United States Navy a series of tandem rotor helicopters, starting with the HRP-1 of 1944. The HRP-1 was nicknamed the "flying banana" because of the upward angle of the aft fuselage that ensured the large rotors did not strike each other in flight. The name would later be applied to other Piasecki helicopters of similar design, including the H-21.

In 1949, Piasecki proposed the YH-21 Workhorse to the United States Air Force (USAF), which was an improved, all-metal derivative of the HRP-1. Using two tandem, fully articulated three-bladed counter-rotating rotors, the H-21 was powered by one nine-cylinder Curtis-Wright R-1820-103 Cyclone supercharged 1,150 hp (858 kW) air-cooled radial engine.

After the first flight of the YH-21 on 11 April 1952,[1] the USAF ordered 32 H-21A SAR models and 163 of the more powerful H-21B assault transport variant. The H-21B was equipped with an uprated version of the Wright 103 engine, developing 1425 shaft horsepower (1063 kW), and featured rotor blades extended by 6 inches (152 mm). With its improved capabilities, the H-21B could carry 22 fully equipped infantrymen, or 12 stretchers, plus space for two medical attendants, in the medevac role. With its Arctic winter capabilities, the H-21A and H-21B were put into service by both the USAF and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to maintain and service DEW (Distant Early Warning) radar installations stretching from the Aleutian Islands and Alaska across the Canadian Arctic to Greenland and Iceland.

In 1952, some H-21As were evaluated by USMC helicopter squadron HMX-1 in the air assault role.[2] In 1957, an H-21B was loaned to the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to evaluate the helicopter as an airborne tug to tow disabled landing ships and amphibious landing vehicles to the beach. During the evaluation, the H-21B towed an LST at 5 knots and a simulated tracked amphibious vehicle from the water to the beach.[3] The uprated 1425 hp Wright engine used in the H-21B was also used in subsequent variants sold to both the U.S. Army (as the H-21C Shawnee) and the military forces of several other nations. In 1962, the H-21 was redesignated the CH-21 in U.S. Army service.

In 1959 Vertol Aircraft, the new name for Piasecki Helicopters, came up with a concept for heavy lift over short distances where between two and six H-21Bs would be linked by beams to lift heavy loads. It was considered to be unsafe, because if one helicopter had mechanical problems during the lift it could cause an unbalanced situation and cause all helicopters to crash.

Cool !

Now that, is a hell of an aircraft

Can't wait to see the build thread on it bud

Awesome
I triple dirty dog dare ya to paint it yellow with brown spots

I triple dirty dog dare ya to paint it yellow with brown spots

LMAO I actually gave that considerable thought. With some minion figures...

Great to have you onboard mate looking forward to seeing this all come together

Cook subject.

Looks like it got broke in the factory and nobody noticed!

Don, I found the perfect avatar for you while you build this.....

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:43 am Don, I found the perfect avatar for you while you build this.....

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:18 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:43 am Don, I found the perfect avatar for you while you build this.....

Someone is heading for a spanking.....

Images are broken...

bfrd wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:20 pm Images are broken...

That's strange - they're showing up fine for me...

Edit: Ooops no - you're right - the kit images have all disappeared - they were ok yesterday... although I think I heard somewhere that PhotoBucket was having a wobbler so maybe that's related

Thank god my banana picture still survives

digger303 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:14 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:18 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:43 am Don, I found the perfect avatar for you while you build this.....

Someone is heading for a spanking.....

Yah probably me coz I nicked Scott's own meme and played it back at him!!

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:18 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:43 am Don, I found the perfect avatar for you while you build this.....

Allow me to add my face palm to yours.

DBMiller wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:39 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:18 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:43 am Don, I found the perfect avatar for you while you build this.....

Allow me to add my face palm to yours.

What'd I do?????
I didn't do nothing

LMAO I am severely tempted to use that.

Yeah, photobucket is toast at the moment. I was gonna load some pics to do a minor update, but cant even get the site to come up.

smokeriderdon wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 3:23 am LMAO I am severely tempted to use that.

Yeah, photobucket is toast at the moment. I was gonna load some pics to do a minor update, but cant even get the site to come up.

yeah and they sent a letter around saying they lost money this last year and ant people to upgrade to the pro version at 25% off.
Also a price rise next year is the gist of it.

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:51 pm

DBMiller wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:39 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:18 am

Allow me to add my face palm to yours.

What'd I do?????
I didn't do nothing

Couldn't resist

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:51 pm What'd I do?????
I didn't do nothing

OK. The decals are ordered. I have been checking pics to see what the interior looked like. I have settled on interior green with medium-ish gray floor. OD seats with red backs.



For the exterior, the decals call out aluminum and florescent red orange. The color I used on my H-34. Which is fine, BUT...the only color pics with the same markings but different tail number that I can find is the single one I have in the album. And that CLEARLY is a funky red. And other USAF H-21s from different squadrons also have that same funky red. And even the pic of the real copter with the decal set looks more red than orange to me.



So what do you all think? And does the aluminum look more painted than BM? Im thinking painted. I have pretty much settled on using simple rattle can Tamiya silver. Unless there is a better suggestion.





Next. Is that a fuel tank slung under it in the B&W pic????? I was told it is on another board. Thinking a wingtip tank from an F-94 or the like would work. Thoughts there?

And now I sit here with a tear in my eyes. I made the post then went looking for more pics. I stumbled across one painted in the blue and white of the USAF 1001st. It was kind of familiar, and the squadron number screamed at me. After doing a minor amount of clicking I found this site:

http://usafhpa.org/1001st/1001st.html

The reason for the tears? My father was a CMSGT and was in the 1st Heli as a flight mechanic on Andrews AFB from about 1970 on. He was one of the Air Forces premier NCOs and flight mechs and helped to write the tech manuals for the Hueys and H-3s. This was the original 1st heli. At the bottom of the page you will see that the 1001st was moved from Bolling and re designated the 1st. I did not know this. So this is history directly related to my dad. My father passed away on 16Dec12.

So I dove in after all that.

Started with the floor. I took 1000 grit sandpaper and cut it for the walkway area that has the non skid surface. I dont know why I hadnt thought of this before now. I think it worked great. Yes, its raised a bit, but I will take that given it looks pretty damn good IMO.



The interior walls sprayed and windows put in.



Then the cock pit stuff put on and some weathering.

So I got all the interior stuff done. Seats and such. It all looks really good. And you have to believe me because my dumb ass failed to take any pics before I closed it up.But here is a pic of it taped together while the Tamiya thin sets. Fit was really good though the panel lines dont match up towards the front. The fron glass is just sitting in place for the pic. Have to mask it before I glue it in place.

Great to see you getting stuck in mate, and a wonderful tribute to your Dad too

Off to a great start there mate

comes together well

OK, since part of this is supposed to be like educational and stuff, I figured I would give a sort of tutorial on using Parafilm to mask canopies. Because I know everyone just loves doing that.

Parafilm is semi clear film that is almost like stretchy wax plastic kind of stuff. (That is industry technical talk right there) Its made for use in labs to seal jars and test tubes and the like. It is not an adhesive, so it does not pull paint or leave scuz behind. It is awesome stuff.





To start, cut a piece off the roll that will cover the part with extra.



Then gently start stretching it by pulling on opposite sides. You will have to do it in small sections. It took me a few tries to get the hang of it.



Pick a side on the part, tuck some around the edge, then start stretching it across the part. Get it as snug as you can. Tuck the excess around all the edges. Use your thumbs to press the film down. I often use a toothpick to press it into the edges of the framing.







At this point, remove the excess by running a blade around the edges. Be careful not to cut the part.



Once that is done, take a fresh blade and cut around the framing.



Remove the film covering the framing. You will likely pull up the stuff on the window portions some. Just press it back down with a toothpick. Then check for spots where you didnt cut correctly and use a liquid masking product to fill in.





Once the masking fluid dries, you can attach the part and paint away. I shot gloss black for primer.



Hope this helps folks to try something different, and IMO a much easier thing to use than tape.

smokeriderdon wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2019 10:38 pm OK, since part of this is supposed to be like educational and stuff, I figured I would give a sort of tutorial on using Parafilm to mask canopies. Because I know everyone just loves doing that.

Parafilm is semi clear film that is almost like stretchy wax plastic kind of stuff. (That is industry technical talk right there) Its made for use in labs to seal jars and test tubes and the like. It is not an adhesive, so it does not pull paint or leave scuz behind. It is awesome stuff.



hope this helps folks to try something different, and IMO a much easier thing to use than tape.

Thanks for the tip. I have some of that somewhere I bought on a recommendation, but never used.
How much do you need to stretch it before application ? Can it be over stretched ?

It certainly can be over stretched. If it's too thin it's not gonna protect well. I would say double the size you start at the most. I may do a video showing how I do it.

Slight update. I ordered both the international orange and stop light red. I am going to go with the red, but figured having the int orange on hand cant hurt. I sprayed the Tamiya Silver from a rattle can. That was a disaster. As soon as it hit it did that crinkling thing. I have no freaking clue why. So now I am cleaning that mess up. *sigh* I have to wait for the red anyway, but sheesh.

Sorry to hear that, what a pain in the butt. I hate that when it's all together and you start to paint and it all goes wrong.

digger303 wrote: Sun Dec 29, 2019 11:16 pm Sorry to hear that, what a pain in the butt. I hate that when it's all together and you start to paint and it all goes wrong.

And it has really become a mega pain.

Wish I stole some of that Parafilm when I worked in the lab...stuff is expensive now!
I have used Frisket which is similar and art store supplied so a bit less pricey

Keep at the chopper she is coming along

Thanks for the mini-tutorial on parafilm - I've seen several articles where the author has used that for masking but hadn't worked up to giving it a try as yet, but might give it a go now.

Hope you get the paint snafu cleaned up ok.

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:23 am Wish I stole some of that Parafilm when I worked in the lab...stuff is expensive now!
I have used Frisket which is similar and art store supplied so a bit less pricey

Keep at the chopper she is coming along

Well, I have had that roll for at least 3 years now. The big roll like that is about 40 bucks. Considering how much there is and that it will likely be the only time you have to buy it, its not bad.

Tomcat64 wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 2:53 pm Thanks for the mini-tutorial on parafilm - I've seen several articles where the author has used that for masking but hadn't worked up to giving it a try as yet, but might give it a go now.

Hope you get the paint snafu cleaned up ok.

You really should give it a go. I cant stress enough much better i is than tape. Only thing better are pre cut masks.

As for the build. I went by the hobby store after work. I have traffic light red coming bt I like the brake light red better for this. Get home and get her all taped up annnnnnd... its a clear color. More like a glaze. I have to presume the traffic light will be the same. &%&$@!#^*()& After much cursing, I decided to simply go with Testors dark red. Its not a bad choice and once I get it a bit dirty it should look good. It will sit for a couple days and then I need to touch up spots I jacked up along the way.

Really getting there now mate

Definitely beginning to look the part, keep at it as its going to look great!

Paul

Kevthemodeller wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2019 10:35 am Really getting there now mate

Quax wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2019 5:10 pm Definitely beginning to look the part, keep at it as its going to look great!

Paul

Thank you gentlemen! As my NYE plans have been shot straight to hell, I will be working on her tonight.

Oh holy dear Lord baby Jesus these decals! They are wrinkling, folding and just generally not cooperating at all. And the colors could be a bit more opaque. And you will notice that the checker markings are one long strip with no holes. I have to go and cut out each window. Got the first one done, but just barely. I need to let them dry out COMPLETELY and stick to the surface. I placed the props on just for the pic.

It is looking great, keep at it
White and black checker decals are easy to touch up paint if you have it rip or tear a bit when you cut the window
We will never even notice

Happy New Year to you

She is looking the bizz though and nice work

Thank you gentlemen!

It was pointed out to me that in the reference pics, there is white trim around the windows that is not present in the decals. So thats a true strike against them and not much I can do about it.

OK, so let just say I will NOT be buying Print Scale decals again. These things are atrocious. They do not adhere. It requires multiple multiple applications of Micro Sol and or Solva set to get them to maybe stay down. We will see.

I was cutting the window portions of the right side checker decal. Got the second window done. I blew on it to get little bits off. Mind you, I had micro soled it TWICE yesterday and left it to sit for 24 hours. When I blew on it, half of it blew up off the model ad twisted into a unrescuable mess. The walkway on top also blew off, but managed not to twist up. That required another 2 applications of micro sol AND one of solva set to finally stay down. The checker strip was toast. Sooooo...

Command decision time. Just leave it without the checkerboard down the fuselage, or order yet another set and still have the same issues. I thought maybe I could make a template to pre cut the windows, but then these flimsy ass things would just fold onto themselves even worse than before. So I decided that it would just have to be without that feature. The decals were inaccurate anyway. And it looks good as is. I did not even try to use the stencils.

I did venture into the spares bin to find some fuel tanks or something close. I did find a couple tank looking things. Could be bombs, not sure. The sprue didnt have the ID tab so not sure what they came from. But they look close. So I will fiddle with those and see if I can figure how to hang them. But for now, I am gonna call her done. I will add pics to the completed thread if I work the tanks out.

Looks excellent in the photo - despite the decal issues it's turned out extremely well. Yet again I am truly impressed!!

RangerNeil wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 3:13 pm Looks excellent in the photo - despite the decal issues it's turned out extremely well. Yet again I am truly impressed!!

Thank you kindly sir!

It sure looks awesome sitting on that base!

bfrd wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:29 pm It sure looks awesome sitting on that base!

Thanks! That base was meant for another project, but I figured until I use it, it will work great for pics of any 1/72 stuff I do.