Italeri 1/48 Fiat CR.42

[kensar]

Today I start posting my progress on my second Italian subject, the Fiat CR.42. I will be adding detail to this, as I really like the looks of this plane. It will be a Hungarian version. I have the Montex painting mask set (K48351), so this will be interesting.

I started off with the cockpit, adding structural detail, discarding the kit cockpit sides.







I removed the molded in control console and oxygen tank to make room for details and have room to work.

After much progress adding detail based on the maintenance manual and parts manual, I have finished the cockpit module:



The instrument faces are Airscale items. The control knobs are wire with an end dipped in epoxy.







Added ribs to the inside of the fuselage halves, along with the interior of the pilot's step.



and finally, the gun sight reflector.



I discovered that a Hasegawa Macchi C.202 windshield will fit very nicely on this kit with some sanding on the bottom edge of the frame. It stands a little higher than the kit windshield, but is much better being more clear and much less distortion - to be shown later.
I'll be closing the fuselage after looking closer at the tail wheel assembly.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.

[Editor]

Great job Ken! The cockpit detail is excellent. Interesting that the C.202 windshield works well on this kit. Occasionally I'll do the same thing and swap-out parts from different kits.

[Icepol]

Beuatifull work!! well done!

[davenport49]

Beautiful detail. Look forward to more.

[kensar]

More pics of my slow progress





Test fit in the cowling.


Here is the Macchi C.202 canopy compared to the kit canopy. I plan to use the Macchi canopy even though its a bit taller than the kit one.

[Editor]

Beautiful job Ken on the A.74, you brought it to life. Very well done.

[kensar]

Painting almost finished.







Per the painting instructions, the factory camo scheme just shows through on the tail, fuselage band and upper wing.

[Editor]

I love the subject, a Magyar Falco. I built one a little while ago and it shows beautifully - its one of my favorites.

[kensar]

Just finished this Hungarian Fiat CR-42 from April 1941. This one took a lot of painting, having to paint the entire Italian camo and Hungarian insignias, then over paint the yellow areas. I used the Montex painting masks and a variety of paints, mainly AK Interactive lacquers for the main colors and Testors enamels for the insignias. I decided to use the kit windshield because it has a unique shape and isn't very visible.













Fitting the struts was a little dicey. They had to be shortened. Everything else fit without much trouble.

[davenport49]

Beautiful, Ken.

[Editor]

Thanks Ken and I agree the struts can be tricky on this plane and you went with the kit supplied windshield after all.