Piasecki H.21 Flying Banana?

Modeling Subjects Helicopters
1

I noticed that there is a 1/48th Piasecki H.21 Flying Banana
due out from Fonderie Miniatures (France).

What kind of quality is Fonderie Miniatures kits?

How big is this model going to be?

Thanks,

James [:)]

2

I don’t know how big it will be.

I’ve seen F.M.'s 1/48 Dassault Mystere IV kit and generally I’d say the quality is there, but experience with multimedia kits would definitely be recomended. The styrene parts looked good, but had a fine pebbly surface texture to them.

The photoetch, white metal and resin components looked top notch and the decals were beautiful.

I just wish I had the money for it.

3

James,

I have the old Aurora 1/48th kit of the H-21 but I’m not at home to measure it. I did find some measurements of the full 1:1 but it was in metric. So best I can figure the fuselage is about 13 in. and has a rotor dia of about 11 in. Top of the aft pylon should be about 6 in. I’m going to wait a few more years and hope Academy will make one!

4

James,
I have their 1/48th scale R-5 helicopter. Detail is very good for this scale and does include white metal, PE and one resin part. Since I just bought it a couple of weeks ago, I have not started building it but looking at it, my only complaint is the glazing. To see all that great cockpit detail, I’m going to have to replace the kit windows with thermaform. By the way, the entire fuselage … windows and all is molded in clear styrene … that’s why they are so thick and hard to see thru.
Paul

5

We have a restored one at the airport where I work that flies every once in a while, and it is pretty large!!! I think Mel is pretty close to the size it will be!! I’m definately going to have to pick that one up.

6

Thanks guys!

I also had another look around and found a couple of reviews.
One good, one bad.

I am always nervous with makes that are limited or not that well
known.

Like Mel, I think I will wait and see if something better comes along.

James [:)]

7

Paul,

Have you seen the clear nose glazing of the Aurora H-21 kit. It has to be at least an 1/8 of an inch thick! I remember buying it for about a dollar or less at some crafts shop in my Dad’s home town back in the early “60’s”. I think they only had three or four models there. Funny how a particular model you bought as a kid can bring back memories of a less hurried world. Those were the “good ole days” but all to soon these days will be to!