Piasecki H-21 Workhorse. Victorian Air Service.

[zenrat]

Piasecki H-21 Workhorse.  Victorian Air Service. People's Democratic Republic of Victoria 1964.

Piasecki H-21 VicAir 01 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse/Shawnee is an American helicopter, the fourth of a line of tandem rotor helicopters designed and built by Piasecki Helicopter (later Boeing Vertol). Commonly called "the flying banana", it was a multi-mission helicopter, utilizing wheels, skis, or floats.

Piasecki H-21 VicAir 14 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

VicAir (Victorian Air Service) purchased a number of ex military H-21s in the early sixties.  After refurbishment they could carry 20 passengers and their hand luggage in what was euphemistically described as "sub-economy" class.  They were used on a number of routes including the Tullamarine Airport to Batmania City Centre service, Mornington Archipelago commuter runs and the Frankston-Geelong service (until 1975 when the Bay Bridge opened).

Piasecki H-21 VicAir 07 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The aircraft depicted is the first one refurbished.  When VicAir painted it the rear undercarriage had been removed for overhaul leading to the discovery, upon replacement, that the company logo was obscured.  Nothing was done and the aircraft was rushed into service in the hope no one would notice and it would all be OK.
They did, it wasn't, heads rolled and the paint scheme was adjusted on later aircraft.

Piasecki H-21 VicAir 13 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Model

Italeri 1/72 Piasecki H-21 Gunship.
Painted with car paint and cheap DIY warehouse enamel.
Home made decals.

Piasecki H-21 VicAir 15 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Piasecki H-21 VicAir 16 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

That looks VERY smart indeed Fred, nice one. 

I've got that kit too, I must get around to opening the box one day......

[Old Wombat]

I was wondering if the H-21 was ex-my stash but I worked out I sold that to Squizza.

Great job on that one, Fred!

When VicAir painted it the rear undercarriage had been removed for overhaul leading to the discovery, upon replacement, that the company logo was obscured.  Nothing was done and the aircraft was rushed into service in the hope no one would notice and it would all be OK.
They did, it wasn't, heads rolled ...

Probably literally in the PDRV.

[ericr]

a so elegant banana

[AS.12]

Very smart!  I've always been partial to the early Piasecki bananas.

There was an experimental model of the '21 which flew with paired T58 turboshafts, should the availability of Avgas affect your operations.

[kitnut617]

Yeah! very nice 

[loupgarou]

I'd have expected an Yak-24. Plasticart's one is the VIP version, just the ticket for your air services. 

[comrade harps]

Retired from the Frankston-Geelong service only after the Bay Bridge opened; such investment infrastructure!

Is there a Frankston to Wheelers Hill service?

Beautiful! 

[NARSES2]

That's really neat mate 

[Dizzyfugu]

That's sweet! 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.

Kit - it built up very nicely but you will want to invest in a set of canopy masks.

Comrade Harps - Surely I have bored you with my idea to build a bridge from Frankston to Geelong?  With an artificial island in the middle of the bay housing a marina, hotels, theme park etc.  Ask me about it when we meet up at next years Expo.
The route you ask about was once provided by Frankston Sky Bus (part of the Frankston Sky Cab company) but the terminus was switched to Glen Waverley after the suburb of Wheelers Hill was levelled in 1984 to enable the expansion of the Caribbean Market free trade zone.

[TheChronicOne]

 


Hell yeah!!!   

[Glenn Gilbertson]

That looks really smart - I like it!

[zenrat]

Thanks guys.

[comrade harps]

Thanks folks.

Kit - it built up very nicely but you will want to invest in a set of canopy masks.

Comrade Harps - Surely I have bored you with my idea to build a bridge from Frankston to Geelong?  With an artificial island in the middle of the bay housing a marina, hotels, theme park etc.  Ask me about it when we meet up at next years Expo.
The route you ask about was once provided by Frankston Sky Bus (part of the Frankston Sky Cab company) but the terminus was switched to Glen Waverley after the suburb of Wheelers Hill was levelled in 1984 to enable the expansion of the Caribbean Market free trade zone.

I can see gleaming office towers in  Wheelers Hill having spectacular views to the ranges and the bays. Rooftop helipads, too.