Jssel's Italeri H-21 Flying Banana***Finished***

[Dirkpitt289]

I saw this kit in my LHS on Friday and was very close to purchasing it. As of today I just couldn't justify the price tag. Not that I haven't paid $23 for a kit before but the reality of it was that I would have bought it just for the sake of buying something rather than buying something I really wanted. It is very cool though

[jssel]

I can't remember how much I paid for this one but it was far lower than $23.00. It was before the Italeri price hike.

Can't believe how much we have to pay for old ESCI re-pop's.

[jssel]

This morning I build a box out of sheet stock and sealed it with a couple of fishing weights inside. Painted olive drab and some tape for tie down straps and we have a piece of stowage that hide the supplemental nose weight.



After that, it was quick work to get the fuselage halves together and start looking at landing gear.




Wonder what this would look like next to the Fairey Rotodyne?

[SJPONeill]

I can't remember how much I paid for this one but it was far lower than $23.00. It was before the Italeri price hike.

Can't believe how much we have to pay for old ESCI re-pop's.

$23?! The new Revell Ar-196 is only around $32 at GMW...I bought mine here around ten years ago and I had lots of change from NZD20...it's definitely one of the better Italeri helo kits but I'm not convinced it's worth that much...next time I'm in town, I'll have to see what it's worth here now...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, that build's coming along nicely, Jeff...

[Dirkpitt289]

That is looking real cool. Now I might have to rethink my position on getting this one.

[jssel]

Well, the seams are sanded now. The beast is standing on it's legs. I was surprised on how little filler is needed so far.
Dry fit of the cockpit glass and as slick as it goes on, there is a 1/16 gap where the glass meets the verticle walls of the fuselage. Not sure why as a little pressure added and the whole thing fits very nice. It shouldn't be that way, so will study it for a while. Seems the lower fuselage lip may protrude out a tad to much. Also the top either meets up with or tucks under the forward "doghouse." Things that make you say, Ummmmmm.


Modeling rule # something or other: Super glue and clear parts do not go together.

So it has to fit correctly.

[SJPONeill]

Dip your clear parts in Kleer/Future and you will not (or are way less likely to) get that frosting on your clear parts...

[jssel]

Here is a progress shot.

[airjim]

To continue on from Brews...

3. Use odorless Super Glue.

http://www.bsi-inc.com/Pages/hobby/oca.html;

Jim

[jssel]

Hey Jim, any possiblity of you attending Kalamazoo this weekend? I know it's a drive but just wondering.

[Jagewa]

Jeff, great build, that's a heinous gap at the canopy. I'm enjoying your build, and am getting won over on the banana shape.

Did you ever fly on one Jeff?

Cheers
Jim

[jssel]

Thanks, Jim. No I never flew in one. They were gone by the time I enlisted. I watched one land at a local airport when I was a kid. Probably perked my interest in US Army Aviation. My dad had taken some slide photos of it. Gloss OD with all the bright US Army markings on it.

Been looking over the glass situation. A little trimming here and there will get it to fit. I am just going slow and easy.

[airjim]

Hey Jim, any possiblity of you attending Kalamazoo this weekend? I know it's a drive but just wondering.

Sadly no, I'll be in Seattle. I really would like to attend someday as I've never seen the Museum.

Jim

[splash]

Seeing your build is making me really want one of these, it’s a shame about the canopy fit, that is always my nightmare trying to get them to blend in.

Fingers crossed with a bit of trimming of the fuselage, you will get it to fit without the dreaded use of super glue and it’s fogging problems.

Regards
Splash

[kruaxi]

Cool job.