Revell 1/72 Fiat CR.42

REVELL 1/72 FIAT CR.42 FALCO
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Richard Stracey (rec.models.scale)

Kit Details: Revell 1/72 #H-648 Fiat CR.42 Falco

History: The Fiat CR.42 first flew on the 23rd May 1938 and was the last bi plane fighter to enter service with any of the world’s major air forces. The Italian authorities assumed that thanks to the success of the CR.32 (from which it was developed) in the Spanish civil war the bi plane with its superior maneuverability was the way to go. Certainly when they finally met the British Hurricanes over Malta the RAF found the CR.42 very difficult to shoot down and was out maneuvered by them but it was the era of the monoplane. They even saw action briefly over Britain but by this time were outclassed. The CR.42 was powered by a 14cyl. Fiat A74R1C radial engine and was normally armed with two Breda SAFAT 7.7mm or 12.7mm machine guns. The wingspan was 9.7m (31’10”) and length 8.25m (27’1”) and could carry 200kg of bombs under the wings. There were other versions of the CR.42 such as the CR.42CN night fighter,ICR.42 float plane, CR.42 two seat trainer and the CR.42 DB which being re engine with a DB601A 1,200hp engine became the fastest bi plane in history at 525kmh (326mph). It was also quite an export success being exported to Hungary (72), Belgium (40), and Sweden (72) where it was known as the J11 as well as seeing service in the Luftwaffe. There are a few still in existence at the RAF Museum, Hendon and a Swedish museum amongst others.

The Kit: This elderly Revell (GB) kit (1965?) certainly holds its own with very nice surface detail as did many of Revell’s British kits from this era do. It consists of thirty one crisp dark green plastic parts that includes a pilot and two part stand as well as a clear wind shield. The single page instructions have a three step assembly guide, a brief history and a four view painting guide. The decals are for one Italian aircraft and the parts are sealed in a cellophane bag all contained in a modest sized box unlike some modern kits.

Cockpit detail is nonexistent other than an “L” shaped seat for the pilot who serves to hide any missing detail! The engine is more than adequate since it will be well hidden. The lower wing is in one piece which should make life easy and for those allergic to bi planes this one having “W” struts should prove pretty simple. Unusual for this era of kit it has separate wheels beneath the spats. It is worth checking photos as many machines had part of or all of the spats removed. One thing missing (although shown on the box art) is the exhausts which are easy enough to scratch build. In all, a great little model.

Decals: The decals need bleaching in the sun to get rid of the yellowing and for safeties sake a blow over with Future or clear varnish in case they decide to disintegrate. No fault of Revell’s, just old age. The Italian camouflage is “light sage green” with “forest green” mottle on top and “light grey with a dash of blue” for the underside! Not having my colour charts handy I can’t help with the correct colours, sorry.

Overall: There is an amazing amount of information on the internet concerning this aircraft as well as books such as Profile Publications #16 and Squadron Signal “Fiat CR32/42 in Action”. I see that Italeri have three CR.42 kits in 1/72 scale # 1260, #1263 (CR.42AS) and #1276 (CR.42LW) and Pavla have produced two versions while Classic have provided a 1/48 scale version and the old Artiplast/SMER 1/40 kit.

I wonder if Revell intends re releasing this kit as they have their WW1 kits from this era? Looking at the side of the box I recon they could release the Boeing Kaydet (H-649), Nakajima Frank (H-6370), Nakajima Oscar (H-641) and Kawasaki Hien (H-621). Most of the others mentioned like the Spitfire, Me109, and Thunderbolt have been super ceded by more modern kits. I found it in a mountain of old kits at Continental Hobbies at 345 Nathan Rd., Kowloon, Hong Kong just next to Temple St. Market so if you are passing……. They also have all the latest kits but you can bargain down the old kits to a reasonable price.

RHS/09

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