| Although produced in comparatively fewer numbers than corresponding Macchi aircraft of WWII, the Fiat G.50 nonetheless draws as much interest, particularly amongst scale aviation modelers. The most interesting use of this aircraft was in the Battle of Britain and the clash between Finland and Russia in 1940-1944. In the hands of Finnish pilots, the Fiat G.50 achieved remarkable success and was responsible for 101 Soviet aircraft shot-down for the loss of only two Fiats. These successes mirrored the Italian performance in southern Russia using the more effective Macchi MC.200. The total production of Fiat's amounted to 791 of all types, and although only briefly employed by the Regia Aeronautica as a frontline fighter, the type was used extensively in its designed role by the Finns until 1944. Many Finnish aces used the type at one time or other and Oiva 'Oippa' Tuominen scored the majority of his 44 kills with the G.50. The Fiat G.50 was designed by the young and gifted Ing Giuseppe Gabrielli in 1937 and he drew upon this experience to design one of the war's most potent fighters, the Fiat G.55 Centauro. He later designed the highly successful Fiat G.91 multirole combat jet aircraft. The kit used here is the Sector/Hasegawa 1/48 scale model of an early version Fiat G.50 Freccia (Arrow). The highlights of the kit include recessed panel lines, although the lines are a little subtle around the ailerons. The kit is geometrically accurate, however the wheel wells are somewhat shallow. The cockpit interior lacks detail and a detailing set would be useful. Construction was straight forward with no difficulties in assembly. The completed model represents the aircraft of Oiva Tuominen 1/LeLv 26, FA-26 MM.4743, Suomen IImaavoimat, Lunkula, August 1941 who scored 23 kills using the Fiat G.50. I used Polly Scale Fr. Lt. Blue Gray FS 36237 for the undersurfaces and Polly Scale RLM 04 for the yellow theater markings. Humbrol 63 was used for Giallo Mimetico 3 FS 33434 and Polly Scale FS 34102 for Verde Mimetico 3 splotches. The interiors were painted FS 36306 for Grigio Anticorrossione, typical of Fiats. I used Aeromaster decals which react well to setting solution. An interesting note, Flying Machines (Mister Kit) have recently introduced a new series of 1/48 scale Fiat G.50s with the correct wheel wells and a highly detailed cockpit interior set as well as a photo etched engine ignition harness and other goodies. Overall, the Hasegawa model was very enjoyable to build and I recommend it to all modelers. |
| Technical Data: Aircraft: Fiat G.50 Manufacturer: Fiat S.A. Type: Fighter Year: 1939 Engine: Fiat A.74 RC 38, 14-cyclinder radial, air-cooled, 870hp Wingspan: 36 ft (10.98 m) Length: 25 ft 7 in (7.80 m) Height: 9 ft 8 1/2 in (2.95 m) Weight: 5,280 lb (2,395 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 294 mph (473 km/h) at 19,685 ft (6,000 m) Ceiling: 35,200 ft (10,700 m) Range: 420 miles (675 km) Armament: 2 x 12.7mm (0.5 in) SAFAT machine guns Crew: 1 Additional Images: |
| Hasegawa 1/48 Fiat G.50 Serie I Freccia Finnish Fiats by Vince Tassone |
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