Best CR.42 Kit in 1/48 scale

mike_espo · Post by **mike_espo** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:46 am

I plan on adding a CR.42 to my 1/48 collection. Heard good and bad about both.

Just was wondering what you guys think?

The Italeri or Classic Airframes?
Thanks.

Chris Busbridge · Post by **Chris Busbridge** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:54 pm

The CA kit is nicely detailed, even though I prefer the fuselage shape of the Italeri kit, as I think they have captured the flattened sides to the rear more accurately. Unfortunately, the Italeri kit has very poorly rendered fabric. The Italeri engine is very good, complete with pushrod detail, although the cowling is not as easy to assemble as the CA kit

I'd go for the CA kit, although you will need to scratch build the oil cooler intakes on the leading edge of the lower wings (at the fuselage join).

steveiow · Post by **steveiow** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:25 pm

I bought the Italeri the other day.Was surprised when I opened the box and found a nice little photo reference manual inside.
Mind you,it doe's advertise this on the front of the box

The kit looks OK to me but then I can't build models to Chris'es standard

Steve

Capitano · Post by **Capitano** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:56 pm

Is there a side by side comparison of the two kits? That'd be nice to see to help make up one's mind.

D520 · Post by **D520** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:48 am

Well, I have built both by the number, and I will go without hesitation to the Italeri kit because, despite some overdone details, ansd some missing ones, it will built much more easily than the CA' one. And as I have built two CA kits with the tremendous Italian Classic resin set, which gives you a perfect CR42 but also a hell of a job, I vote for the italeri, definitly. If Capitano wants to have a look at the gallery, he will probably understand what I mean. Ciao e a presto....

Capitano · Post by **Capitano** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:40 pm

I think what I read is that each kit, the Italeri and the CA, are both quite well done.

Jean Barby on the Italeri, 'This is the excellent Italeri Kit and little needs to be said about this kit. The kit is accurate and models the rear exhaust oil coolers correctly.'

Vince Tassone, 'This is the Classic Airframes 1/48 FIAT CR.42 kit no. 474. The combined use of accurately cast resin pieces, photo etched parts and precision molded plastic make this kit the best on the market.'

Davide Splendore, 'The Italeri kit is an optimal base to work with, but with the necessity to correct the fabric effects, both on the wings and on the fuselage. The final model is very satisifying, the assembly is simple and the aftermarket accessories helpful.'

I would take from these three masters is that each kit is highly recommended. And that the only difference in choosing one is whether the buyer prefers Italeri or CA.

What I was asking is if any one had done a side by side comparison of the two kits, much like Swanny did with the Monogram and Revell B-17, or the modelingmadness.com side by side of the SM.79 by Classic Airframes and Trumpeter. I've seen other side by's but these two come to mind first.

Post by **Editor** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:45 pm

A good suggestion, I might try doing such a comparison. Both kits are pretty nice. CA beat Italeri to the market and really cashed in big with their line of CR.42s. And don't forget Tamiya's CR.42

Chris Busbridge · Post by **Chris Busbridge** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:15 am

The one big thing in favour of the Italeri kit is that it has the correct rear fuselage shape. The CA kit is too round in this area (it should have flattened side walls). The one that really lets the Italeri kit down is the poor heavy-handed fabric detail.

I'm pretty sure the Tamiya kit is the Italeri kit.

Post by **Editor** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:23 am

Yes of course the Tamiya kit is a repackged Italeri kit.

Capitano · Post by **Capitano** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:37 am

Webmaster wrote:Yes of course the Tamiya kit is a repackaged Italeri kit.

Ala Squadron mail order:

Tamiya CR.42, $58.50
Italeri CR.42 $42.30
Classic Airframes $39.95

Why spend an extra $16.00 US for the Tamiya versus Italeri, just buy the CA kit which is the cheapest and probably just as good if not better?

Chris Busbridge · Post by **Chris Busbridge** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:44 pm

If you get the Supermodels Cr.42 issue, you get an Autoblinda armoured car as well!

Aeroal · Post by **Aeroal** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:12 pm

I would go for the Italeri kit as it has more detail and very little in the way of missing goodies. The sesquiplane lower wings on mine were a poor fit, the undercarriage spats had no definite location and the two cabane struts nearest the centreline, i.e. those directly above the machine guns were 2mm. short in length. I had to chop the strut cuff off and glue on an extension in each case. I wonder when Italeri will finally give us a carburettor air intake minus the tropical filter box? I borrowed and adapted the intake from a Classic Airframes kit for my Battle of Britain machine.

I must confess I have not built the C.A. kit. I started their original release kit many years ago, but gave up, as I could not think of a way to satisfactorily cure the ovoid engine cowling.

In spite of my comments, none of the Italeri problems are difficult to cure and with a little effort, it builds up into a highly detailed and most convincing representation of the real machine.

Regards,

Aeroal.

Capitano · Post by **Capitano** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:15 pm

Haven't found the Supermodel version yet.

But with the Tamiya you get an extra sprue of Tamiya made parts; under wing bombs, a pilot figure, jerry cans, drum cans and other miscellaneous diorama things. This is item #89722 the CR.42 Night Fighter I'm talking about here. Too bad the decal assortment is only four Luftwaffe aircraft. That means one would need an after-market set for Italian design.

Capitano · Post by **Capitano** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:33 pm

I know what the Webmaster is going to say but has anyone used the 1/48 CMK resin Exterior Detail set for the CR.32 #4014? What does this set give you the kit doesn't? I always seem to over buy the aftermarket goodies but if it fixes something the kit lacks, then I'm all for it.

Chris Busbridge · Post by **Chris Busbridge** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:35 am

You should only get the CMK resin set if you have the original CA Cr32 kit. All the parts in this set are included in the revised/reissued release.

Best CR.42 Kit in 1/48 scale

Best CR.42 Kit in 1/48 scale

falcos!