Fiat G.55 Sottoserie 0

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:24 am

Hi, guys! I am currently working on Special Hobby's 1/72 Centauro Sottoserie 0. Here are some pics of the progress made so far. Hope you'll like 'em...

The etched harness system proved tricky to get right

I added some wiring to the cockpit sides to give it a more realistic look

The instrument panel is assembled following kit instructions, but you don't get a gunsight. That will have to be scratchbuilt later...

The radiator flap had to be scratchbuilt from aluminum(from soda cans), because the kit part is way too thick for the scale

Some detail also had to be scratchbuilt from aluminum in the nose area(see the exhausts) and the fuselage/nose cowling joint was modified to give it that characteristic gap

This is a very good kit, but since it is a short run kit, it needs some cleaning up and skill, but nothing serious. Patience is the key with this one.
And a lot test-fitting. I will submit a full build article when it is completed.

Post by **Editor** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:24 am

Beautiful work. The detail is excellent for this scale.

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:46 pm

That is really nice work. Please keep us posted!

Best wishes,
Brendan

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:10 pm

Thanks, I'm really glad you like it. Here are some more pics:

The cockpit is installed into the fuselage. The headrest was scratchbuilt prom plastic.

The resin wheel wells are good, but you can always throw in some more detail...

The kit undercarriage legs are inacurate. They are rounded (like on Macchi fighters), but should be more square at the top. This means some more scratchbuilding...

When will the fun ever stop?...

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:18 am

Well, I finally remembered I had an unfinished G-55 somewhere in my stash, so I decided to finish it no matter what!

Three small fairings (which were present only on the "zero series" aircraft) are nicely done in resin, but they should be located on special panels, which partially overlap the surrounding panels. They were made out of tin from soda cans...

Several different propellers (Fiat spinner was retained) of various manufacturers were tested on the second prototype (which I am building): Fiat-Hamilton, Piaggio, german VDM. Since the plane on the photos has the VDM propeller installed, I replaced the kit propeller with Quickboost VDM propeller intended for Bf-109G-6

I also added a scratchbuilt gunsight...

Although the vertical stabilizer should be cut off and replaced with a resin one, I chose to modify the existing part instead, because the resin one doesn't have fabric detail on the moving surfaces. There were some subtle differences in shape between Sottoserie 0 i Serie 1

Position lights also had to be scratchbuilt (Yup, that's in 1/72!

)

Vincent Biondi · Post by **Vincent Biondi** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:51 am

Great job!
Will you paint it in RA or ANR colours?
Vinman.

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:12 am

I am building the second prototype (depicted on the box-art), so RA it is.

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:55 am

Those are some truly impressive wingtip lights! Very well done!

Best wishes,
Brendan

Post by **Editor** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:35 pm

Good attention to detail!

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:52 am

Here are some more pics:

After the worst part of modeling (masking), came the best part - painting!

The canopy was first sprayed Verde Anticorosione and then cammo colours were added (cockpit green will show if you look inside)

Vincent Biondi · Post by **Vincent Biondi** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:14 am

Looking good!
Vincent.

GAJouette · Post by **GAJouette** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:16 pm

Looks excellent,I'm looking forward to seeing your build article.
Regards,
Gregory Jouette

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:24 am

Well, after a whole year of building (mostly due to my laziness, not because of the kit

) it is finished. Here are the pics:

The article is submitted and it will be included in the gallery soon.

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:54 pm

Wow! Fantastic job!

Best wishes,
Brendan