Manufacturer: Classic Airframes, P.O. Box 577580, Chicago, IL 60657-7580, 773-665-7817
Kit: No. 420
Scale: 1/48
Price: $29.95
Comments: Injection-molded, 61 parts (19 resin, 2 vacuum-formed plastic),
Pros: Excellent surface detail, fine resin parts, bonus clear red and green navigation lights, good decals
Cons: Fit of resin details to plastic parts is poor in spots
The Reggiane Re.2001 was the sleek follow-on to the Re.2000 “Falco.” By using the German Daimler Benz DB 601 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, a more modern design emerged. Judged by its pilots to be a good aircraft, it was still outmoded compared to Allied and German designs. It was in service until the end of World War II, and oddly enough, fought against both the Allied and Axis air forces.
This is the first 1/48 scale injection kit of the Re.2001, and it’s a pretty nice piece of work. The surface detail of the neutral gray parts is good, particularly on the fuselage. Fine resin parts are included for engine exhausts, the cockpit interior, carburetor intake, and radiators. Two vacuum-formed canopies are provided; the spare is reassuring! The addition of clear red and clear green navigation lights is a bonus.
I dry-fit the resin cockpit interior into the fuselage and found it would be tight; the cockpit floor was too wide. By sanding the outer cockpit sides I was able to press the cockpit into position.
The resin engine exhausts would not fit until I enlarged the openings in the fuselage parts. After minor filing they dropped in easily. Check your photo references to determine how far they extend from the fuselage.
A separate part for the upper engine deck completes the fuselage construction. Its fit will vary depending on what has been done with the cockpit tub. Mine turned out to be a bit loose, requiring filler and sanding. I drilled out the fuselage gun ports along with the wing gun positions.
The oil cooler opening under the fuselage was flashed over and required filing to open it up. A resin part is given to provide the oil cooler detail.
The wing-to-fuselage joint was finicky and required several dry runs and some filling and sanding to achieve the proper fit. There are separate parts for the underwing radiators. The resin cores were too thick and required sanding to allow them to fit properly.
The propeller assembly consists of separate blades attached to a backing plate, topped off by the spinner. The blades don’t have alignment keys, so take care with setting the pitch angle.
The landing gear struts are somewhat simplified. You must make the retractor struts from plastic rod or stretched sprue. Study photos to determine their mounting method and angle.
I painted my Reggiane with Lifecolor acrylic paint (Italian paints from Pacific Coast Models). Microscale decals are included for two aircraft of the Regia Aeronautica, and they applied perfectly with a just a little decal solvent.
My primary reference was Ali D’Italia 3 Reggiane Re.2001. I also used Squadron’s Reggiane Fighters in Action (No. 177º). The completed model looks accurate compared to photos, though the references differ on the length of the fuselage.
I managed to complete my Re.2001 in a quick 12 hours. It’s an impressive model but required some planning and work to get there. Modelers with moderate experience will find this Italian fighter a good project.