In
April 1960 my father was transferred to the 81st Transportation
Company (Light Helicopter) Ft.
Riley, Kansas. He was
assigned to aircraft number N62037 which was one of two Army H-21C’s painted
gray. These aircraft were used for
VIP and instrument flying. The 81st
was transferred to Hawaii in late 1961, in September 1962 the 81st
aircraft were loaded on board the USNS Croatan and shipped to Plieku, Republic
of Vietnam. In Mid February 1963
this aircraft crashed due to mechanical failure and was shipped back to the U.S
for overhaul.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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I used the 1/72
Italeri H-21 kit and added the Eduards interior and exterior detail set to make
it a better representation of my father’s aircraft.
I also scratch built the foot pedals and added the rear decking, drive
shafts and transmission, aft bulkhead for the battery compartment and fuel cell.
I painted the exterior with Dark Gull Gray and used a combination of dry
transfers and decals to give the aircraft its appearance before being shipped to
Hawaii. I also gave it a light wash
of Black and Brown Heavenly Hues to bring out the panel lines and weather it.
The cargo sling is surgical suture and the whip antenna is a dog whisker.
Mike
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