Italeri 1/72 scale Fiat C.R.42 Falco

Kit: No. 1260
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Italeri, from Model Rectifier Corp. (MRC), 732-225-2100, www.modelrectifier.com
Price: $19
Comments: Injection-molded, 80 parts, decals
Pros: Detailed cockpit, optional parts for five versions
Cons: Errors on instructions, lower wings too thin, tricky fit of upper wing assembly to lower wing

Italeri's new CR.42 Falco features a detailed cockpit and engine, wing-rib detail, recessed panel lines, optional parts, markings for six aircraft, and a bonus "walkaround" book.

The nine-piece pilot's office is a straightforward build. Make sure you put on the seat-harness decal before placing the seat inside the fuselage. Also, be sure to install the upper-fuselage tubing frame (14B) right side up.

Test fitting the lower wings to the fuselage revealed the wings are thinner than the stubs on the fuselage. Getting a solid glue joint with the short tabs and oversized slots was a problem. With no guide to the alignment of the lower wings, I added a little dihedral so the struts from the top wing would mate. You may want to build the top wing assembly first, then align the lower wings to the struts.

Building the engine cowling was no easy task. It is assembled from four pieces, and small locating tabs did not make for strong glue joints. My propeller shaft must have broken off at the factory, so I made a new one from plastic rod.

Watch out when building the landing-gear spats; the outer halves' part numbers are transposed in the instructions. Part 8A should go on with 10A, and 9A with 11A.

The markings I chose were Regia Aeronautica, 162 Squadriglia, 161 Gruppo Autonomo C.T. Maritsa. I used Model Master Italian sand and flat gull gray to paint my model. The cowl is Gunze yellow, and the band around the fuselage is Floquil flat white. For the speckled camouflage scheme, I used pastels and a China marker - just as effective and a lot easier than trying to apply each speck with an airbrush! I had no problems applying the kit decals over a clear gloss coat.

Since Italeri was kind enough to provide a little book with the kit, I used it as my main reference. It took me 15 hours to build this little beauty.

- Tom Foti