Collect Aire 1/48 F2H-3 Banshee Kit Build Review
By Rob Menzies
| Date of Review | June 2022 | Manufacturer | Collect Aire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee | Scale | 1/48 |
| Kit Number | 4844 | Primary Media | Resin/White Metal |
| Pros | Nicest F2H in 1/48 scale (only F2H in 1/48 scale) | Cons | Bubbles in resin parts |
| Skill Level | Expert | MSRP (USD) | Out of Production |
Build Review
The F2H-3 Banshee was the only naval jet used by the Royal Canadian Navy and flew off of Canada’s last aircraft carrier from 1955 to 1962 – the HMCS Bonaventure. This link gives an excellent history of this plane.
I had been looking for many years for a 1:48 scale F2H-3 Banshee to add to my collection of RCAF / RCN planes. Only Collect-Aire made this particular model and the prospects seemed remote as the company had gone out of business and only made a limited run back in 2003. However, one popped up on E-Bay back in December and while it was quite pricey, I decided to go for it.
This was my first experience with a resin model and luckily, I was able to make contact with Fotios Rouch in Arizona (I’m in Vancouver) who had done two beautiful USN versions back in 2003 and he graciously coached me through the project which took about 4 months to complete.
Notes by Fotios: I was glad to help Rob to complete his RCAF collection. The Collect-Aire resin Banshee was his first resin kit, so we exchanged emails about some dos and don’ts and what to watch out for. I think he did a great job for a first resin kit and the big Banshee look great next to its RCAF friends.