Italeri's offers the best H-21 in 1/72 scale - period. Enclose in a proper box and sealed in clear bags are two full sprues
of grey parts and a further sealed bag of clear parts.
Italeri offers a well-appointed cockpit that comprises 16 parts including the collective control columns. Moving aft into the cargo area, two rows of web seats are provided, along with a full aft bulkhead. However, more detail surprises are found in the aft fuselage. First off, the bay that is located inside of the screened upper section is fully enclosed and includes the drive shaft. Italeri has included a large section of screen to be cut and added to this open bay, accurately capturing the look of this major detail. Also included are two bulkheads in the last bay that includes the engine in relief.
Exterior surface detail is a convincing combination of petit engraved panel lines and fine raised details. Italeri deserves full marks for producing well detail, yet delicate rotor heads and the numerous antenna and attachments on the lower fuselage. The same attention to detail goes to the landing gear components, including the fine wheel ribs on the tires.
Both crew doors are separate additions and the two large external fuel tanks are included as are the two types of main gear framing. Parts included but not used in this boxing are the weapons for the US Army Shawnee version and the larger 'civilian' vertical fins.
As one would expect, the clear parts are very clear and the large glazed nose section offers fine raised framing.
Assembly of the kit is covered over seven majors steps with a further 21 well-illustrated sub-assembly directions. Detail colours notes are offered along the way and these are tied to Model Master Enamels and Italeri Acrylic paint. Thankfully, names are also offered so this should make using alternative brands easier.
On the back of the instruction sheet are the colour guides and decal location for all four schemes offered. And what colourful subjects these are. Italeri offers marking for four nations with three vying for the 'peacock award'!
The odd-duck out for bright colours is the overall Gloss Sea Blue H-21 of the French Aeronavale Flotille 31F. This aircraft saw combat in the Algerian war and one could have fun weathering this scheme. It is not without some curb appeal thanks to the large fuselage roundels and white lettering.
The Japanese Air Self Defence Force example starts with a painted aluminum frame, but is decorated with an all-red tail section, two red fuselage stripes, green fuselage cheat line and large fuselage Kana characters. The fuselage stripes and cheat line are offered as decals.
On the box top is a fabulously painted rescue H-21 of the USAF and this is the third option. This aircraft has an all-red tail, red upper fuselage, aft yellow/black trimmed fuselage band (supplied as a decal), and large service emblem on the aft fuselage and rescue logo on the vertical tails.
Final option is the unique finish carried by RCAF rescue helicopters for a period of time; red over blue. A tasteful white cheat lines separates these colours and the fuselage sports the large RESCUE in Day-Glo red. An large roundel and Red Ensign trimmed and in white completes the scheme. This is also the only option in this boxing that features the streamlined fairings added to the main struts and nose gear. While this is a stunning decal sheet with the subjects in register, there are only two comments to be made and both involve the Canadian option. First, the style of maple leaf is not quite correct as it has a simplified outline. Next, the Day-Glo red RESCUE title appears to be too close to the red on the rest of the sheet and not 'bright' enough.
It is very hard not to be enthusiastic about this helicopter. It has character, history, a superior moulding from a company that appreciates helicopters. We are very fortunate if building a Canadian bird as both Mike Belcher and Leading Edge produce quality replacement sheets.
Reviewed by Vic Scheuerman, IPMS Edmonton
Italeri offers a well-appointed cockpit that comprises 16 parts including the collective control columns. Moving aft into the cargo area, two rows of web seats are provided, along with a full aft bulkhead. However, more detail surprises are found in the aft fuselage. First off, the bay that is located inside of the screened upper section is fully enclosed and includes the drive shaft. Italeri has included a large section of screen to be cut and added to this open bay, accurately capturing the look of this major detail. Also included are two bulkheads in the last bay that includes the engine in relief.
Exterior surface detail is a convincing combination of petit engraved panel lines and fine raised details. Italeri deserves full marks for producing well detail, yet delicate rotor heads and the numerous antenna and attachments on the lower fuselage. The same attention to detail goes to the landing gear components, including the fine wheel ribs on the tires.
Both crew doors are separate additions and the two large external fuel tanks are included as are the two types of main gear framing. Parts included but not used in this boxing are the weapons for the US Army Shawnee version and the larger 'civilian' vertical fins.
As one would expect, the clear parts are very clear and the large glazed nose section offers fine raised framing.
Assembly of the kit is covered over seven majors steps with a further 21 well-illustrated sub-assembly directions. Detail colours notes are offered along the way and these are tied to Model Master Enamels and Italeri Acrylic paint. Thankfully, names are also offered so this should make using alternative brands easier.
On the back of the instruction sheet are the colour guides and decal location for all four schemes offered. And what colourful subjects these are. Italeri offers marking for four nations with three vying for the 'peacock award'!
The odd-duck out for bright colours is the overall Gloss Sea Blue H-21 of the French Aeronavale Flotille 31F. This aircraft saw combat in the Algerian war and one could have fun weathering this scheme. It is not without some curb appeal thanks to the large fuselage roundels and white lettering.
The Japanese Air Self Defence Force example starts with a painted aluminum frame, but is decorated with an all-red tail section, two red fuselage stripes, green fuselage cheat line and large fuselage Kana characters. The fuselage stripes and cheat line are offered as decals.
On the box top is a fabulously painted rescue H-21 of the USAF and this is the third option. This aircraft has an all-red tail, red upper fuselage, aft yellow/black trimmed fuselage band (supplied as a decal), and large service emblem on the aft fuselage and rescue logo on the vertical tails.
Final option is the unique finish carried by RCAF rescue helicopters for a period of time; red over blue. A tasteful white cheat lines separates these colours and the fuselage sports the large RESCUE in Day-Glo red. An large roundel and Red Ensign trimmed and in white completes the scheme. This is also the only option in this boxing that features the streamlined fairings added to the main struts and nose gear. While this is a stunning decal sheet with the subjects in register, there are only two comments to be made and both involve the Canadian option. First, the style of maple leaf is not quite correct as it has a simplified outline. Next, the Day-Glo red RESCUE title appears to be too close to the red on the rest of the sheet and not 'bright' enough.
It is very hard not to be enthusiastic about this helicopter. It has character, history, a superior moulding from a company that appreciates helicopters. We are very fortunate if building a Canadian bird as both Mike Belcher and Leading Edge produce quality replacement sheets.
Reviewed by Vic Scheuerman, IPMS Edmonton