JohnB wrote:
I've heard that rotor blades were a huge problem
The rotor blades don't last long out in the weather. The spar is steel tubing, the ribs are plywood, the skin is doped fabric, and the leading edge is covered in thin sheet metal. We have a set of ragged remains that came with our CH-21B, but there's very little salvageable, even for pattern-making.
JohnB wrote:
BTW: I have a couple of model kits I'd like to build...what color is the cockpit interior...seats, floors, bulkhead, etc. Green or gray?
The interior painted metal surfaces on our ex-USAF ship are a mix of OD green and "interior green", all applied over a distinctly yellowish zinc chromate primer. The cockpit area is "interior green" with black instrument panels and a black non-skid floor covering. The main cabin was totally covered in khaki-colored canvass which was backed by heavy insulation (remember that the CH-21 was originally intended for cold-weather service). The floor is bare aluminum. The fold-up troop seats and cargo netting are khaki canvass. I have a bunch of pictures that I can send you if you want to see them.