Skyline F2H Banshee Development

[Sumato]

Hey, Everyone. I'm finally getting to finish up my completely redesigned F2H-3 Banshee kit. She's basically a completely different kit from the original. It will come in two versions, the original grey, and the Navy blue version depicted here. It will have the following improvements:

1- Completely redesigned interior, with recessed instruments, ejection seat, radar, etc.
2-redesigned armament, with 500lb bombs, and early Aim 9s.
3-Completely redesigned external detail.
4-Completely redesigned landing gear, and arresting gear.
5-Addition of external tip-tanks.
6-redesigned internal bulkhead structure for better fit.
7-Redesigned instructions and detailed diagrams.
8-Redesigned engine detail.

Here are some photos of the beta build, in progress. She's about to have her tip-tanks added. Thanks for viewing!

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build1.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build3.jpg

Skyline Paper Models (http://www.skylinepapermodels.com)

[birder]

That is a pretty model!

[airdave]

birder took the words from me
I was thinking "thats a pretty lookin' plane!"

[Rick Thomson]

Any chance of a white version, so that I can paint it up as one of HMCS Bonaventure's birds?

Rick

[member_3]

Woo-hoo! PayPal at the ready!

[Don Boose]

Always good to see an early jet-age carrier fighter. I'm in line behind the Old Troll for this one.

Don

[Bomarc]

I'm in line behind the Old Troll for this one.

Me too!!!

Looks great.

Mike

[silveroxide]

Beautiful build so far. Any cockpit closeups or build pics on it. What are your plans for the canopy? Waiting to see more...more,,,more and still more.

[Wyvern]

Always loved the Banjo, such a beautiful airplane. Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Wyvern

[shrike]

After a series of delays - both unavoidable and ...the other kind, I have a mold finished and, pending Jeremiah's approval, I can produce and ship canopies like the Sea Hornet.

[Sumato]

Any chance of a white version, so that I can paint it up as one of HMCS Bonaventure's birds?

Rick

I wouldn't mind doing an RCN Banshee. Doing the repaint, is pretty easy for me. The only problem is finding the time to do a build. The Banshee was a surprisingly large naval airplane for her time. The Banshee builds to more than 18" long, and her complex integrated wing/engine combination has 26 external parts per wing, not including internal bulkhead structures, landing gear parts, and engine parts such as exhaust plugs, inlet and exhaust guide vanes. As you can imagine, it can be a little time consuming to build her up. (but worth it) As it stands I've also got her repainted as my previous Banshee release, the VF-193 USS Yorktown bird in her grey colors. Working about 80 hours a week as a real-world airline pilot, away from home about 20 days a month does not help me out time wise. Just be patient, and I'll get these kits to you eventually, I promise.

Skyline Paper Models (http://www.skylinepapermodels.com)

[Wyvern]

Fly safe, Sumato.

[Sumato]

Hey folks. After yet again a long series of real world working delays, I've got a couple of days off and added the F2H-3's tip tanks. Here is a few photos to enjoy...

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build4.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build5.jpg

Here is a cockpit view:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build6.jpg

And an aft view, looking down the right engine exhaust:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build7.jpg

Thanks again for your interest!

Skyline Paper Models (http://www.skylinepapermodels.com)

[Wyvern]

Gorgeous! Gotta love the Banjo!

Wyvern

[member_3]

Gorgeous! Funds being readied as we speak...

[Wyvern]

Gorgeous! Funds being readied as we speak...

Saving my pennies, too.

Wyvern

[Sumato]

Also, Here are some reduced samples of the diagrams for the kit. There will be 22 construction diagrams in all. Thanks!

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build9.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build8.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Build10.jpg

Skyline Paper Models (http://www.skylinepapermodels.com)

[Don Boose]

I am ready to race Troll for this one!

Don

[Bomarc]

Not if I get there first Don!

Looks spectacular!

Mike

[Wyvern]

<<Sounds of lips smacking>>

Wyvern

[B-Manic]

Looks fantastic. Any chance of a RCN version in the future?
http://www.aerowaredesigns.com/prints/APBAN01.JPG
~ Douglas

[Sumato]

B-Manic, here is my answer to that...

I wouldn't mind doing an RCN Banshee. Doing the repaint, is pretty easy for me. The only problem is finding the time to do a build. The Banshee was a surprisingly large naval airplane for her time. The Banshee builds to more than 18" long, and her complex integrated wing/engine combination has 26 external parts per wing, not including internal bulkhead structures, landing gear parts, and engine parts such as exhaust plugs, inlet and exhaust guide vanes. As you can imagine, it can be a little time consuming to build her up. (but worth it) As it stands I've also got her repainted as my previous Banshee release, the VF-193 USS Yorktown bird in her grey colors. Working about 80 hours a week as a real-world airline pilot, away from home about 20 days a month does not help me out time wise. Just be patient, and I'll get these kits to you eventually, I promise.

Skyline Paper Models (http://www.skylinepapermodels.com)

[B-Manic]

I'm glad to hear it Jeremiah. I understand the time constraints. I will patiently wait.

~ Douglas

[Cybermac]

Very nice job!

Cybermac

[Paragon]

That is a gorgeous bird, and in very attractive colors.

[zot]

Just a friendly bump. Any progress lately?

[Sumato]

Hey Everybody! I usually get a few emails daily asking about the progress of my Banshee and other kits. I am still working away at them, but the progress has been mighty slow due exclusively to work. As many of you know, I work VERY VERY full time as an airline pilot. I've been working on average, about 75-90 hours a week with only a few days a month at home. I was about to get furloughed Sep 1, so in an effort to stay where I'm at, I've taken a job at GoJet Airlines. I started ground school on monday, and as some of you know, I will be tied up in training for the next 6-8 weeks here in St Louis before I get to go back home and fly the line back in Chicago. Hopefully once this happens, I'll free up a lot more time to get the production line back up to speed.

Anyhow, Here are some more pics of the banshee in her current state. I am still waiting on the arrival of a canopy, but almost everything else is ready, just not yet glued in place. The instructions have been written and the diagrams are ready as well. She should be ready for sale shortly after I get back home. More to follow, just please try to be understanding. Thanks!

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/F2H_Unf_4.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/F2H_Unf_3.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/F2H_Unf_2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/F2H_Unf_1.jpg

www.skylinepapermodels.com (http://www.skylinepapermodels.com)

[SJPONeill]

That looks great and well worth a wait for such a well done design...if you hear a couple of sudden TWANG-THUDs - don't worry, we've just had to use the dart gun on Don and Ron to hold them back!!

[Wyvern]

Absolutely glorious!

Wyvern

[Don Boose]

This looks terrific. Some day, I hope to build a series of 1945-50 carrier aircraft, including this one. Your models are always very much worth waiting for.

Don

[Sumato]

Hey, Everybody! The kit is almost ready. I'm just waiting for my canopy supplier to finish his first batch. Any day now. Here she is, complete, minus the canopy. Enjoy!

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Bansh_1.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Bansh_2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Bansh_3.jpg


www.skylinepapermodels.com (http://www.skylinepapermodels.com)

[rutzes]

I'm loving it - although the first version was nice, the blue one shows great improvement! You're filling a gap of the golden age planes with this beauty - thanks a lot!

[chicharrero]

The long awaited Banshee...
I like this version.
When do you think we can purchase the model?

[Rick Thomson]

I'll definitely be buying the RCN repaint of this one.

[Texman]

A beautiful job indeed.

[Ron40]

They were phasing these birds out when I joined the Navy in 1957.
We had some aboard the Carrier Shangra La that were photo recon
types. Looks like a very well designed model. Put me on the list to
purchase one......Ron

[John Bowden]

Banshee.......... I'm in.

Any chance you will do an earlier version? I always thought it was a cleaner looking bird.

john

[Sumato]

The long awaited Banshee...
I like this version.
When do you think we can purchase the model?

I could have it ready in about a week if I had a canopy ready. I can't seem to get my canopy supplier to get me one. As many of you know, I work VERY full time as an airline pilot, which has really slowed everything. I should have released this model about six months ago, were it not for my day job.

[Sumato]

Banshee.......... I'm in.

Any chance you will do an earlier version? I always thought it was a cleaner looking bird.

john

I'd love to do an F2H-2 version, but my only real issue is time. I've got SOOOO many other topics to cover first, which includes a number of (as of yet) untouched cold war era topics. If I weren't working 80-90 hrs a week as an airline pilot, I be able to crank out a new kit every month, but, as it stands, I'm slowed to a pace of about six months. I am working on streamlining the process, though, to get work out much faster, despite my fulltime day (and nights, holidays, weekends, etc) job.

[B-Manic]

I'll definitely be buying the RCN repaint of this one.

Count me in for that livery as well :) , that is one fantastic looking bird.

[Jinrai Butai]

Fly is the only thing that remains to be done. Your papermodel is very complete and beautiful.

Greetings and congratulations

[Cybermac]

The model is superb!

I like jet airliners, but early jets are also my favourite ones!

Best regards to the designer!

[Wyvern]

GORGEOUS!

Wyvern

[Sumato]

Here's a few more pictures of the F2H-3...

Here's the cockpit...

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/BansheeCP.jpg

Here's some armament...

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/BansheeArmament.jpg

And here's the canopy blank for vacuforming. It's made out of fiberglass (much easier than using clay)...

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/BansheeCanopy.jpg

I'll probably make a tutorial on building fiberglass blanks soon. Thanks again for your patience and continued interest. Once I get a canopy made, the kit should be promptly released.

[Isaac]

Yes, please post a few quick points regarding the fiberglass mold and how you made it.


Looking great


Isaac

[Don Boose]

Wow! It's beautiful.

Don

[Sumato]

Alright guys. I finally had time to make a canopy for the model, so the test build is complete. So here are the results. I've got about a day's worth of instructions to write, and I should finally have the ol' Banshee online and selling in the next couple days.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Banshee4.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Banshee5.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Banshee3.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Banshee7.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Banshee6.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Banshee10.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Banshee9.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o232/Shokaku99/Banshee8.jpg

Skyline Paper Models (http://www.skylinepapermodels.com)

[Don Boose]

It's beautiful!

Standing by to purchase. And I suspect that the World's Oldest Naval Troll is, too.

Don

[CMDRTED]

Me too! thanks abunch Don, though I'm not the oldest troll yet.

[charleswlkr54]

Right out of "The Bridges of Toka-ri!"

[birder]

Beautiful, looking forward to this one.

[Don Boose]

Ted - I sure hope you build one of these. You have the skill to do it justice.

Charles - I agree, and that brings up an interesting point. The aircraft in the film were actually F9F Panthers, but the Banshee has a similar appearance and the aircraft on the film poster sure does look more like a Banshee than a Panther: File:The Bridges of Toko-Ri.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Bridges_of_Toko-Ri.jpg)

Don

[chicharrero]

I have seen the film poster, and the aircraft i think is a Banshee.

[Rick Thomson]

Banshees are to be seen on the flightdeck of the carrier, but the aircraft that are used in the film are Panthers. Hopefully there will also be an RCN colour scheme for this bird.

[Isaac]

Please let us know how you made the fiberglass canopy mold. Looks smooth.


Thanks

Isaac

[Sumato]

Right out of "The Bridges of Toka-ri!"

Good catch. The 1954 movie featured F9F-2 Panthers, but the original novel by James Michener actually featured Banshees, not Panthers.

[gomidefilho]

I try to buy F2H and A5M2 but the online shop is designed for only United States customers, need USA adress for shipping (for eletronical models???):confused:...

If have another way to buy, please inform...

[Wyvern]

That. Is. Stunning.

Wyvern

[B-Manic]

Banshees are to be seen on the flightdeck of the carrier, but the aircraft that are used in the film are Panthers. Hopefully there will also be an RCN colour scheme for this bird.


Ditto. !!

[Isaac]

What was the final outcome regarding the purchase of this kit. Where is it available?



Also, purchasing the canopy for it?


Isaac

[nikischutt]

What was the final outcome regarding the purchase of this kit. Where is it available?



Also, purchasing the canopy for it?


Isaac

Here you go:

1/32 McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee - USN - Paper Model (http://www.ecardmodels.com/index.php/1-32-mcdonnell-f2h-3-banshee-usn-paper-model.html)

[bkensky]

impressive work....