C205 imperfections

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:03 pm

I hope in short time (after having completed the Bf109 RA) to start working on Hasegawa 1/48 kit to reproduce a Regia Aeronautica C205; because in my opinion the reproduction of a subject is not only a question of nice painting and weathering (that are very important matters) but also to reproduce the correct shape of the subject, I have compared the profile and section of the kit with the Ali d'Italia drawings, performing actions that everyone can simply reproduce, but that can give everyone the evidence of the work one has to expect; I attach here two photos, of the profile and of the section where the engine is connected and everyone can draw the conclusions; of course I shall be happy if somebody demonstrates I am wrong (less work to perform)

Riccardo

Stefano · Post by **Stefano** » Tue May 05, 2009 3:25 pm

Very good project, Rick.
I always thought that many Hase 1/48 kits, that seem gorgeous at a first glance, are wrong in dimensions, mainly in length: Bf-109 series lacks of some two millimeters, the same for F-86, the F-104 even more (yet Japanese had the latter in their museums, so what?), the Spitfire V was wrong in all dimensions and had oval-shaped wheel wells, etc.
So, your work is most welcome, even though, for Macchis, to me the hardest point is correct the canopy shape: seen by side the real thing had a rhomboid shape.

Ciao

Stefano

Post by **Editor** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:54 pm

Riccardo,
This excellent and very interesting research as usual. A few years ago you brought this to our attention but I hadn't known the wing roots were so far out! I wonder if there would be interest in an new accurate 1/48 C.202 ? Might be a fun project to for Stormo

jrlucero · Post by **jrlucero** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:06 am

Hello Riccardo! I always enjoy your bulid reviews not only because you point out the errors on the kits we do but you always go the extra distance to correct them.

It'll be iteresting to see how you tackle the issue of the wing root. How does the old Tauro kit fair on this aspect?

Vince, a new Macchi C.202/205 family in 1/48 or 1/72 would great. Or at least a correction set for them and the 1/32 PacModels kit too!!

Best regards,

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Thu May 07, 2009 12:58 am

Hi Josè
You can see in the gallery my article on C205 V from Tauro Model kit; in the first part I examine this section and there is a photo that shows that the section is correct enough; I agree, a new 1/48 202/205 kit by Stormo would be fantastic!
Riccardo

centauro · Post by **centauro** » Thu May 07, 2009 3:47 am

One more vote for the new 1/72 C202/205! Both Hasegawa and Italeri have this issue with the wrong wing root cross sections, but their main fault are asymmetrical fuselages. In addition, their nose sections and fairings behind the cockpit aren't very accurate too. My only hope that I don't have to reshape the Frog fuselage just to see the new kits or correction parts released!..

D520 · Post by **D520** » Thu May 07, 2009 5:10 am

This is the part I admire the most in your modelling skill: the search for truth! I admit that I am not a rivet counter, but your research on the subject is a profound one. I have to agree with Stefano, at first sight they look good, like many ladies in fact, but once undressed..... I will follow your work with the deepest attention, iin the meantime receive my warmest regards. Jean.

Post by **Editor** » Thu May 07, 2009 7:34 am

D520 wrote: ... at first sight they look good, like many ladies in fact, but once undressed ...

... so true

Stefano · Post by **Stefano** » Thu May 07, 2009 2:53 pm

Rick,

checking my copy of Ali e Colori no. 5 I realized a difference in wingroot profile between section D and front view:

The front view seems closer to model shape. Here are details of the drawings:

This difference is present since ADI no. 2-MC.202. Could have Brioschi mistaken section D?
Nothing to add on the other picture, of course.

Jean,
your comparison with certain ladies is perfect!

Stefano

Capitano · Post by **Capitano** » Thu May 07, 2009 6:57 pm

That is why the aftermarket resin companies are so important, to fix these things. However, to add to the argument, I don't think I have ever seen, or ever heard of any model kit that was a 100% perfect replica of a 1:1. The Hase C.202/205 is a great kit and I am glad for all of the resin bits available to enhance it. For the most part, most Hasegawa kits are pretty darn good.

Look at the Eduard F6F Hellcat; the first rendition came out, which was awesome, and people complained that the wheels were incorrect and the cowling was mis-shaped. Never mind that 98.5%of the rest of the kit was spectacular. But Eduard did do something about it; the latest release has new resin wheels.

My philosophy is if a model company wants to put out a subpar kit, fine, but I will refuse to buy it. I vote with my pocket book.

BTW Thanks for the info on the wing root. Keep us updated how you fix it.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri May 08, 2009 1:15 am

Thanks Stefano, I shall use the profile of the section superimposing it on the drawing to compare the difference; furthermore it is possible to get a section from the drawing from other authors , for instance Caruana, and comparing also them; we have not to forget the back cockpit profile, an error that can take to the reconstruction of the canopy.
Riccardo

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri May 08, 2009 12:41 pm

Stefano, Iremembere that on the manual there was this section, so I decided to reduce it in 1/48 scale: I attach the image in 1/48 scale and you can verify it is very similar to the section D of the Brioschi's drawings; how much is it reliable? let me have your oopinion

Riccardo

Stefano · Post by **Stefano** » Sun May 10, 2009 4:19 pm

Rick,
I think that drawing is a sort of 'original sin'. The same profile is in Aero Detail no. 15, p. 112, section C (drawings by Carmine Di Napoli). However, a close look of the actual aircraft shows a wing root shape closer to the model and ADI's front view. Image below is from the same book, the arrow pointing the riveted seam which corresponds to that section.

Stefano

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sat May 16, 2009 8:37 am

Hi all
The posts inserted by Stefano made some doubt arise in my mind, so looking better in my documentation I have found this photo of the actual C202/205 section

The section appears to be photographed on a vertical plane so it can be used as reference. I reduced the image in 1/48 scale and with a pair of scissors obtained the section; it appears correct on the front view of Ali d'Italia drawing

but compared with the kit, it shows that the kit wing root is not correct; the error is inferior with respect to the use of D section but it is always present

So my opinion is that the use of the actual photo is the best I could do and this can demonstrate that the D section is not correct and that from now on it would be better verify the sections in the drawings and that the h
Hasegawa kit is unfortunately to be corrected if one wants to have a very faithful reproduction of the subject.
Of course if someone can demonstrate I am wrong, I shall be happy to accept correction and furthermore any suggestion to reach better results will be well accepted
Riccardo

C205 imperfections

C205 imperfections

C205 article

Riccardo!

Re: Riccardo!

Comparison

Section from the manual

C205 imperfections: a new section