[1250ships]

Close enough to 1/72- anyone have one of these? Looking for something for my Gladiator to scowl at. Worth getting for $10 or so?

[Ted in DC]

Hi 1250ships,

I have the FIAT CR-42, and it's OK... the fuselage and wings are acceptable, but the fixed landing gear are flimsy, and the wheels and spats are one fused piece of plastic. Worst of all is the color scheme, that of a postwar (or late war co-belligerent with the allies) trainer, dark green with WWI/modern roundels. Too bad it isn't in early war markings with the appropriate camouflage, bundled fasci and house of Savoy crest on the tail.

Good luck,
Ted

[admin]

This would've been a really interesting product line had they stuck to one scale.

[Folgore]

I would've liked to get this one, but the open cockpit is poorly done, IMHO, so I passed it up after seeing it in person. I hadn't even considered the incorrect insignia, but that's another killer, as far as I'm concerned. On the other hand, what do you want for $10-$12? I'm not holding my breath for any other manufacturer to put this one out.

[Ted in DC]

It's a shame someone doesn't do the CR-42 in 1:72 scale, there are so many interesting liveries to choose from: Sweden 1942 w/skis, Hungary 1940-41, night fighter (300th Squadriglia), Italy, N. Africa, there were some in the Belgian Air Force, and the one shall we say loosely depicted by Model Power, as a postwar trainer.

[1250ships]

Sounds like one to pass on for now. Perhaps someone will eventually do one in proper scale with some livery options.

[Freefall Kiwi]

Originally Posted by admin

This would've been a really interesting product line had they stuck to one scale.

Yes, but the model is easy to re-paint in North Africa colours - and I've found 1/72 WW2 Regia Aeronautica decals, so it's a lot more authentic. The lack of a pilot is a bother, so I've carefully filed down (and then painted) a 1/72 figure to fit the slot. Hey, for the price and the unusualness of this aircraft, it's the only option open to diecast collectors!

I believe that a Spanish company is now selling a very heavy metal 1/72 version of the CR-32, but probably in Spanish Civil War livery

[Epapazian]

I took this model and added some missing struts bracing the main wheels, then repainted it in a more typical Western Desert "sand and spinach" motif with the appropriate decals. The results were not bad at all, albeit far from perfect. Since then, I have done several other repaints of this plane, including one in Hungarian colors, with decent results. If you are not interested in making such alterations, however, the atypical livery alone should be a huge turn-off. As it happens, a 1:72 version of the Fiat CR-42 is now available via several ebay sellers. It's part of a new magazine promotional series offered by DeAgostini and has a far better camouflage scheme. Unfortunately, these models are mass produced by the same guys who turn out the IXO models--also designed as a cheaply done promotional product-- so there are sure to be serious QC issues. Since I don't mind reworking such models to make them look more realistic, I will buy and "correct" the DeAgostini Fiat CR-42 and its companion, the earlier and possibly more famous, CR-32, which is also included in this series. I hope this helps. Good luck on your quest for more Italian warbirds.