1/72 Italeri H-21C Shawnee
 “The Flying Grasshopper”  

by Mike Lepek

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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.

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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

Photos and text © by Mike Lepek