I have been seeking some very particular information for the better part of two months and have decided to finally post about it. Back in June I bought a new kit at a thrift store. This kit was a H-21 “Flying Bannana”, similar to one on display at the SAC museum in Ashland,Nebraska. However, when I opened the box, I found this.
(This is my first post, I hope it shows)
These pictures show a H-21 with Marines markings. All the information I can gather is that it was taken around 1960. All the information I can find simply states the USMC evaluated these helicopters, but I am interested in finding the exact airframe and its fate. As you might be able to see, there is a partial tail number, but it is very hard to make out. Since this picture of the picture was taken, the photos have further deteriorated. Mold is a terrible thing. Anyway, any help would be appreciated, thanks.- Sam
Welcome to the forum. That’s a pretty interesting find.
The only thing I found was: In 1952, the Marine Corps’ premier experimental helicopter squadron, HMX-1, acquired and evaluated several H-21As
I did some digging into this, specifically with the goal of identifying the actual aircraft in the photographs you found with the kit.
There appear to be at least two documented Marine connections with the H-21 that could help narrow this down. HMX-1 evaluated H-21As in 1952 as part of the Marines’ continuing evaluation of assault helicopters. There was also a later program involving an H-21B in Navy/Marine amphibious testing, including some pretty remarkable experiments using the helicopter as an airborne tug. In 1957 an H-21 was used to tow a 3,000-ton LST during testing at the Naval Amphibious Base in San Diego.
Looking at your photographs, though, I think the earlier HMX-1 evaluation may be the more promising lead. The aircraft in your photos very clearly carries U.S. MARINES markings, so the objective now is to find documentation or another period photograph that lets us match its markings and configuration to a specific H-21A or B. If we can identify the serial number, we should have a much better chance of reconstructing exactly what you’re looking at.
And that’s where the original photographs you have may be more valuable than anything we’re finding online.
If you can, scan both photographs at the highest resolution your scanner will reasonably handle. I’d suggest at least 600 dpi and 1200 dpi if possible. Please scan the backs as well. Don’t crop anything out—handwriting, processing dates, lab stamps, names, numbers or even something along the edge of a print could give us another clue.
I’m a professional photographer and have access to some pretty high-end photo-editing tools. If you’re willing to send me the full-resolution scans, I may be able to partially restore the images, increase the contrast and pull additional information out of the faded areas, particularly around the tail and rear fuselage. There may be a serial number or other identifying marking in the original print that simply doesn’t survive in the smaller images posted here.
Those photographs having been found inside an old H-21 kit makes this a pretty interesting little historical mystery. If we can identify the aircraft in them, hopefully we can get you what you were originally looking for—not just a generic Marine H-21, but enough information to reproduce this particular helicopter.
Thank you for your lengthy reply. I agree, I believe it is an A or B model and I think scanning it might help. I can get you scans, but as I mentioned in the post they have been further damaged.I think some information might be gained.
You might try reaching out to the folks at the Warbird Registry. They may have something in their archives that could help identify that particular AC.
