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Fiat CR.42 Falco, Maggiore Tito Falconi, 23rd Squadriglia, 70th Gruppo, Comiso, Sicily, July 1940 This is the latest edition to my Malta themed collection a Fiat CR.42 Falco flown by the charismatic Maggiore Tito Falconi during the late summer of 1940. Subject; Fiat CR.42 Falco, Fiat A.74 R.C.38 14 cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, .303 Breda machine guns. Manufacturer; Italeri Scale; 1/48 Kit number; 2801 Aftermarket; Eduard Zoom P.E set, Montex mask and Master brass gun barrels. Paint; Exterior; Upper, Tamiya XF59 Desert Yellow, XF70 Dark Green and XF64 Red Brown mottling, underside XF19 Sky Grey. Cowl AK Real Colour RLM04 Gelb. Mr Finishing Surfacer White and LP5 Semi-Gloss Black. Interior XF19 and Xtreme Metal Matt Aluminium, Posca pens and Tamiya X and XF for detailing. Primer; Mr Surfacer 1200 Varnish; AK Gauzy Shine Agent, X35 Semi-Gloss. Weathering; Flory Dark Dirt and Grime wash, Abteilung oils and Tamiya weathering palettes. Extras; Prym Knitting Elastic for the rigging

Special Hobby is to release in 2020 1/48th Reggiane Re.2000 Falco kits - ref. SH48204 - Reggiane Re.2000 Falco - Serie 1 - released https://www.specialhobby.eu/en/our-own-production/special-hobby/reggiane-re-2000-i-serie.html - ref. SH48205 - Reggiane Re.2000GA Falco - Serie 3 - released https://www.specialhobby.eu/en/our-own-production/special-hobby/reggiane-re-2000ga-serie-iii-1-48.html - ref. SH48208 - Reggiane J-20 Héja I - "Re 2000 Falco Export Birds" - released https://www.specialhobby.eu/en/our-own-production/special-hobby/j-20-heja-i-re-2000-export-1-1-1-1-birds.html Source: http://www.specialhobby.info/2019/09/news-from-special-hobby-102019.html?m=1 V.P.

Fiat CR.42 Falco Main Wheels (5141 for ICM) 1:32 CMK by Special Hobby Kit wheels are generally in two halves, which means you have the resultant joins to deal with, possible mould-slip issues on single part wheels, and sometimes less than stellar detail due to the moulding limitations of styrene injection technology, especially in the tread department. That's where replacement resin wheels come in, with their lack of seamline and superior detail making a compelling argument. They are also usually available at a reasonable price, and can be an easy introduction to aftermarket and resin handling, as they are usually a drop-in replacement. This set arrives in CMK’s usual yellow-themed clamshell box, and contains the two main wheels on two casting blocks that join the parts at the bottom contact patch of each tyre. They are a drop-in replacement for the kit parts once you have removed them from their pouring block, and the wheels have a fine tread. The makers name detail is found on the sidewalls. There is some less than subtle weighting to the bottom of the tyres to give the impression of the airframe pressing down on the highly compressed air in the tyres. This seems over done to the reviewers taste. Recommended if you are planning on doing a CR.42 without the wheels being encased in the spats. Review sample courtesy of

ICM is to release in 2020 1/32nd Fiat CR.42 Falco kits - ref. 32020 - Fiat CR.42 Falco, WWII Italian Fighter Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM32020 - ref. 32021 - Fiat CR.42 LW , WWII German Luftwaffe Ground Attack Aircraft Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM32021 - ref. 32022 - Fiat CR.42 LW with German Pilots Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM32022 - ref. 32023 - Fiat CR.42AS, WWII Italian Fighter-Bomber Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM32023 - ref. 32024 - Fiat CR.42CN, WWII Italian Night Fighter Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM32024 - ref. 32025 - Fiat CR.42 Falco with Italian Pilots in tropical uniform NEW - III quarter Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM32025 V.P.

CR.42 Falco with Italian Pilots in tropical uniform (32025) 1:32 ICM The Fiat CR.42 Falco (Falcon) was developed in the late 1930s at a time when the more modern monoplane fighters were starting to outstrip bi-planes in performance but it was felt they still had a place. The CR.42 was a development of the CR.32 which were used with success in the Spanish Civil War. The new aircraft would feature a supercharged radial engine and be of simple clean strong construction offering good manoeuvrability. The CR.42 was considered to be the best bi-plane available at the start of WWII although that in itself might be faint praise. Despite its apparent obsolescence the CR.42 would fight in every campaign with the Italian Forces and be exported to Belgium, Sweden, and Hungary. The Luftwaffe would use the aircraft after taking over Italian examples following the 1943 armistice. Following this the Luftwaffe placed and order for 200 CR.42 LW, these were optimised for night harassment and operations against partisan forces mainly in the Balkans. The Kit This is a welcome new tool kit from ICM. The parts are crisp and well moulded consistent with ICMs modern tooling. This boxing is the original Italian Air Force Boxing with the addition of a figure set as seems to be the norm for ICM releases of late. Construction starts with the cockpit, as with most fighters of the this era this is a tubular affair which sits into the fuselage. The base of the seat fits to the floor with the flight controls going in. The front bulkhead fits to this with the rudder controls attached to it. The rest of the frames then builds up around this with the back of the seat going in. Into the main fuselage the pilots headrest is fitted along with the instrument panel (instruments are provided as decals). Once these two parts are in the cockpit can be fitted in and the fuselage closed up. The decking in front of the cockpit can then be added. At the rear of the aircraft the rudder and tailplanes can then be constructed and added., with the tail wheel assembly going on under the tail. Moving to the front of the aircraft the detailed engine is built up. There are two banks of cylinders for the radial engine with an exhaust manifold and ignition harness. The propeller hub attaches to the front and a full set of cowl flaps to the rear. There are sets for open and closed flaps. The cowl and covers can then be attached, though the covers can be left off to show the engine, The completed unit then attached to the front of the aircraft and the air filter then goes on. We now move onto the wing. The lower wings are two part left and right, with a single upper wing split top/bottom. There is one set of struts from each side of the fuselage, then two sets per wing. All fit into positive locating points. The top side ailerons are separate parts with their control horns being added. Once the wings are on its time to fit the propeller and fixed under carriage. If the bomb racks are to be used hopefully you opened up the holes in the main lower wing! The racks and their four bombs can now be fitted. Decals Two options are provided for on the decal sheet: CR. 42 Falco, 83 So., 18 Gruppo, 56 Stormo C.T., Ursel, Belgium, November 1940 CR.42 Falco, 75 Sq., 23 Gruppo Autonomo C.T., Sicily, June 1941 The decals look nicely printed with no issues. There is a small amendment sheet to correct an error in the numbers. Figures This figure set was released by ICM as a standalone set but now is included with their new CR.43 kit. There are two pilots standing and one sitting stroking his dog, this dog is also included, and the dog being held by the standing figure is moulded in; as it would seem from wartime photos that Pilots of any nation were quite fond of having their dogs around. All are what would be considered dressed for the period and the climate. In general the moulding is crisp and clean with plenty of detail. . Like ICM's recent figures these are well sculpted and should build up well. Conclusion It is great to see ICM releasing new tools of aircraft like this in 1/32, the inclusion of the figures makes for a great all round package. Highly recommended. Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

Hi Gents, Please allow me to present my fourth completion of 2021, the very lovely ICM 1/32 Fiat CR.42 Falco in the markings of the aircraft flown by Capitani Edoardo Molinari of the 83a Squadriglia, 18o Gruppo of 56o Stormo CT based at Ursel in Belgium during the latter part of the Battle of Britain: The kit was built more-or-less out of the box, but I did add a Regia Aeronautica pilot figure from the ICM seated Axis pilots set. He was clearly designed to fit the CR.42 kit, but to be honest if I did it again I wouldn’t use him, as while on the one hand he saves the trouble of replicating the weird set-up of the contemporary seat harness used in the Falco, he also blocks out virtually all of the internal detail which really does deserve to be seen. I used the Eduard canopy mask set, some Albion Alloys Aluminium micro-tube for the bracing between the outboard struts, stretched sprue for the control surface actuators and some Infini Lycra thread for the R/T wire – apparently three aircraft in each squadron carried radios, and as a Squadron Leader Edoardo would have had one. The R/T aerial mast was also made from stretched sprue. I found out quite a bit about Regia Aeronautica camouflage of the period and most of what I found out was that I didn’t know half as much I always thought I knew. The undersides were finished in Colourcoats ACLW25 - Weißaluminium and the uppersurface camouflage was a base mix of ACRA01 Giallo Mimentico 1 and ACRA03 Giallo Mimetico 3, with a mottle of ACRA06 Verde Mimetico 2 and ACRA12 Marrone Mimetico 2. The camouflage pattern is loosely copied from that of the Falco that nosed over on Orfordness beach in November 1940 but the ‘jaggies’ on the top wing are too fat and the mottles over the remainder are too dense and fussy. The markings were mostly the transfers provided with the kit, but the kit’s codes are incorrectly portrayed as being yellow, whereas I was informed by three gents whose advice I respect that these should be blue. I’d like to give a big thank you to them for telling me long before I had applied the decals, and a massive thank you to @Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies for making me a set of masks that worked really well (apart from the one which I applied on the wonk, which worked perfectly well but, of course, came out wonky) and even mixed me a tin of blue paint with which to paint them. Anyway my mis-steps, uncertainty and idiocy aside, I enjoyed building the kit very much and am pleased with the result as it makes a nice model. The build thread is here: Cheers, Stew

Fiat CR.42AS Falco WWII Italian Fighter Bomber (32023) 1:32 ICM The Fiat CR.42 Falco (Falcon) was developed in the late 1930s at a time when the more modern monoplane fighters were starting to outstrip bi-planes in performance but it was felt they still had a place. The CR.42 was a development of the CR.32 which were used with success in the Spanish Civil War. The new aircraft would feature a supercharged radial engine and be of simple clean strong construction offering good manoeuvrability. The CR.42 was considered to be the best bi-plane available at the start of WWII although that in itself might be faint praise. Despite its apparent obsolescence the CR.42 would fight in every campaign with the Italian Forces and be exported to Belgium, Sweden, and Hungary. The AS version was developed as a Fighter Bomber with the provision for 2 more guns and bomb racks. The as stood for "Africa Settentrionale". As well as the armament differences they were also fitted with sand filters for the engine. The Luftwaffe would use the aircraft after taking over Italian examples following the 1943 armistice. Following this the Luftwaffe placed and order for 200 CR.42 LW, these were optimised for night harassment and operations against partisan forces mainly in the Balkans. The Kit This is a welcome new tool kit from ICM. The parts are crisp and well moulded consistent with ICMs modern tooling. Construction starts with the cockpit, as with most fighters of the this era this is a tubular affair which sits into the fuselage. The base of the seat fits to the floor with the flight controls going in. The front bulkhead fits to this with the rudder controls attached to it. The rest of the frames then builds up around this with the back of the seat going in. Into the main fuselage the pilots headrest is fitted along with the instrument panel (instruments are provided as decals). Once these two parts are in the cockpit can be fitted in and the fuselage closed up. The decking in front of the cockpit can then be added. At the rear of the aircraft the rudder and tailplanes can then be constructed and added., with the tail wheel assembly going on under the tail. Moving to the front of the aircraft the detailed engine is built up. There are two banks of cylinders for the radial engine with an exhaust manifold and ignition harness. The propeller hub attaches to the front and a full set of cowl flaps to the rear. There are sets for open and closed flaps. The cowl and covers can then be attached, though the covers can be left off to show the engine, The completed unit then attached to the front of the aircraft and the air filter then goes on. We now move onto the wing. The lower wings are two part left and right, with a single upper wing split top/bottom. There is one set of struts from each side of the fuselage, then two sets per wing. All fit into positive locating points. The top side ailerons are separate parts with their control horns being added. Once the wings are on its time to fit the propeller and fixed under carriage. If the bomb racks are to be used hopefully you opened up the holes in the main lower wing! The racks and their four bombs can now be fitted. Decals Two options are provided for on the decal sheet: CR. 42AS Falco, 20 Sq., 46 Gruppo, 15 Stormo C.T., Libya 1942 (Green/Sand camo over grey) CR.42AS Falco, 45 Gruppo Ravenna, Italy 1942 (Smoke ring camo over grey) The decals look nicely printed with no issues. Conclusion It is great to see ICM releasing new tools of aircraft like this in 1/32. Highly recommended. Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

CR.42 Upgrade Set, Seatbelts and masks (for ICM kit) 1:32 Eduard The new CR.42 is the first one in this scale, now Eduard are along with an update set and seatbelts for the kit. Update Set (32979) This set comprises two sheets of PE, one of which is nickel-plated and painted, the other bare brass. The first item is a revamp of the kits instrument panels. The side panels are also provided as well as other cockpit instruments and controls. New footways are also provided for the cockpit as well as rudder controls. There are new wheel hubs and a suspension linkage for the tail wheel. There are new ribs for the inside sections which can be seen thorough he cockpit opening. New parts are provided for the engine and gearbox,. Control linkages are supplied for the wings and tail. The last items are new til fins for the kits bombs. Zoom Set (32979) This set just gives the nickel fret from the set above Seatbelts (33271) These belts are Photo-Etch (PE) steel, and because of their strength they can be etched from thinner material, which improves realism and flexibility in one sitting. Coupled with the new painting method that adds perceived extra depth to the buckles and other furniture by shading, they are more realistic looking and will drape better than regular brass PE. As well as the belts and chain parts there is the pad the seat back included. masks (JX266) As well as the small windscreen masks are provided for the wheels. Conclusion The detail added with these sets will doubtless set your model apart from the rest, and you can get any or all sets depending on your area of focus. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Fiat CR.42 Falco in Foreign Services (D3206) 1:32 ICM via Hannants The brand new tool Falcos in 1/32 from ICM are really great kits. This set of additional decals has been produced for those aircraft which were used outside of Italy & Germany. The set arrives in a re-sealable foil bag stapled to a header card, with the decals covered by a sheet of translucent paper to keep moisture from damaging the carrier film. There are options for four airframes on the sheet, The decals are printed under ICM's banner, and are in good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a commendably thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. The few stencils included are crisply printed and legible under magnification, which is always a sign of good printing and attention to detail. From the sheet you can decal one of the following; V-205 Hungarian Air Force, 1939 V-266 Hungarian Air Force 1941 3 Sqn, II Groupe, 2 Regiment, Belgian Air Force 1940 9 Kungligq Gota Flygflottilj, Sweedish Air Force 1941 Conclusion A really nice set of decals that expand your options for the new kit. Highly recommended. Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

Fiat CR.42 Falco WWII Italian Fighter (32020) 1:32 ICM The Fiat CR.42 Falco (Falcon) was developed in the late 1930s at a time when the more modern monoplane fighters were starting to outstrip bi-planes in performance but it was felt they still had a place. The CR.42 was a development of the CR.32 which were used with success in the Spanish Civil War. The new aircraft would feature a supercharged radial engine and be of simple clean strong construction offering good manoeuvrability. The CR.42 was considered to be the best bi-plane available at the start of WWII although that in itself might be faint praise. Despite its apparent obsolescence the CR.42 would fight in every campaign with the Italian Forces and be exported to Belgium, Sweden, and Hungary. The Luftwaffe would use the aircraft after taking over Italian examples following the 1943 armistice. Following this the Luftwaffe placed and order for 200 CR.42 LW, these were optimised for night harassment and operations against partisan forces mainly in the Balkans. The Kit This is a welcome new tool kit from ICM. The parts are crisp and well moulded consistent with ICMs modern tooling. Construction starts with the cockpit, as with most fighters of the this era this is a tubular affair which sits into the fuselage. The base of the seat fits to the floor with the flight controls going in. The front bulkhead fits to this with the rudder controls attached to it. The rest of the frames then builds up around this with the back of the seat going in. Into the main fuselage the pilots headrest is fitted along with the instrument panel (instruments are provided as decals). Once these two parts are in the cockpit can be fitted in and the fuselage closed up. The decking in front of the cockpit can then be added. At the rear of the aircraft the rudder and tailplanes can then be constructed and added., with the tail wheel assembly going on under the tail. Moving to the front of the aircraft the detailed engine is built up. There are two banks of cylinders for the radial engine with an exhaust manifold and ignition harness. The propeller hub attaches to the front and a full set of cowl flaps to the rear. There are sets for open and closed flaps. The cowl and covers can then be attached, though the covers can be left off to show the engine, The completed unit then attached to the front of the aircraft and the air filter then goes on. We now move onto the wing. The lower wings are two part left and right, with a single upper wing split top/bottom. There is one set of struts from each side of the fuselage, then two sets per wing. All fit into positive locating points. The top side ailerons are separate parts with their control horns being added. Once the wings are on its time to fit the propeller and fixed under carriage. If the bomb racks are to be used hopefully you opened up the holes in the main lower wing! The racks and their four bombs can now be fitted. Decals Two options are provided for on the decal sheet: CR. 42 Falco, 83 So., 18 Gruppo, 56 Stormo C.T., Ursel, Belgium, November 1940 CR.42 Falco, 75 Sq., 23 Gruppo Autonomo C.T., Sicily, June 1941 The decals look nicely printed with no issues. There is a small amendment sheet to correct an error in the numbers. Conclusion It is great to see ICM releasing new tools of aircraft like this in 1/32. Highly recommended. Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

After the Re.2005 Sagittario (link), Sword Models is to release in late October 2020 a 1/48th Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II kit - ref. SW48012 Sources: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SW48012 https://www.aviationmegastore.com/reggiane-re2001-falco-ii---expected-october-2020-sw48012-sword-8596444480123-aircraft-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=173346 Box art & sprues V.P.

Fiat CR.42 LW (32021) 1:32 ICM The Fiat CR.42 Falco (Falcon) was developed in the late 1930s at a time when the more modern monoplane fighters were starting to outstrip bi-planes in performance but it was felt they still had a place. The CR.42 was a development of the CR.32 which were used with success in the Spanish Civil War. The new aircraft would feature a supercharged radial engine and be of simple clean strong construction offering good manoeuvrability. The CR.42 was considered to be the best bi-plane available at the start of WWII although that in itself might be faint praise. Despite its apparent obsolescence the CR.42 would fight in every campaign with the Italian Forces and be exported to Belgium, Sweden, and Hungary. The Luftwaffe would use the aircraft after taking over Italian examples following the 1943 armistice. Following this the Luftwaffe placed and order for 200 CR.42 LW, these were optimised for night harassment and operations against partisan forces mainly in the Balkans. The LW featured underwing racks for 4 50kgs bombs and a flame dampened exhaust. Of the 200 ordered 150 were built with 112 being accepted into service. The Kit This is a new tool kit from ICM, the original release was for the Italian Air Force, now followed up with this Luftwaffe release. The parts are crisp and well moulded consistent with ICMs modern tooling. Construction starts with the cockpit, as with most fighters of the this era this is a tubular affair which sits into the fuselage. The base of the seat fits to the floor with the flight controls going in. The front bulkhead fits to this with the rudder controls attached to it. The rest of the frames then builds up around this with the back of the seat going in. Into the main fuselage the pilots headrest is fitted along with the instrument panel (instruments are provided as decals). Once these two parts are in the cockpit can be fitted in and the fuselage closed up. The decking in front of the cockpit can then be added. At the rear of the aircraft the rudder and tailplanes can then be constructed and added., with the tail wheel assembly going on under the tail. Moving to the front of the aircraft the detailed engine is built up. There are two banks of cylinders for the radial engine with an exhaust manifold and ignition harness. The propeller hub attaches to the front and a full set of cowl flaps to the rear. There are sets for open and closed flaps. The cowl and covers can then be attached, though the covers can be left off to show the engine, The completed unit then attached to the front of the aircraft and the air filter then goes on. We now move onto the wing. The lower wings are two part left and right, with a single upper wing split top/bottom. There is one set of struts from each side of the fuselage, then two sets per wing. All fit into positive locating points. The top side ailerons are separate parts with their control horns being added. Once the wings are on its time to fit the propeller and fixed under carriage. Here the two different decal options feature slightly different parts so the modeller will need to pick their option. If going for the first decal option the long flame dampening exhausts will need to be added as well. If the bomb racks are to be used hopefully you opened up the holes in the main lower wing! The racks and their four bombs can now be fitted. Decals Two options are provided for on the decal sheet: 2./Nacht Schlacht Gruppe 9, Luftwaffe, Turin April 1944 Nacht Schlacht Gruppe 20, Luftwaffe, Strasbourg, October 1943 The decals look nicely printed with no issues. Conclusion It is great to see ICM releasing new tools of aircraft like this in 1/32 Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

SEM Model is to release a 1/48th Fiat CR.42DB Falco resin conversion set for the Italeri CR.42 kit (link). Source: https://www.facebook.com/717692698282140/photos/a.717703521614391/2394742273910499/ V.P.

Sword is to release in 2018Reggiane Re.2000 kits. - ref. 72111 - Reggiane Re.2000 Falco Source: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/1120821-sword-sw-72111-reggiane-re-2000-falco - ref. 72112 - Reggiane Re.2000GA Falco Source: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/1120825-sword-sw-72112-reggiane-re-2000ga-falco V.P.

Fiat CR.42 Falco. One of only four survivors Regia Aeronautica aircraft MM5701 is on display at the RAF Museum in Hendon, pics mine. This aircraft was captured on 11 November 1940 when it suffered an overheated engine and was forced to land on the beach at Orfordness, Suffolk. During the summer of 1941, it was flown by the Air Fighting Development Unit in mock combat. At the end of 1943 all testing was complete and the aircraft was marked for preservation.

Italian Kits Wings ( http://www.italiankits.it/itkitswings72.html) is to release 1/72nd Fiat CR.42B two-seats Falco (post-WW.II) resin conversion set for the Italeri kit - ref.IKW7218 Source: http://www.master194.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=88535 V.P.

Hi all For my latest offering, here is Italeri's CR42 Falco in 1/48, in its 'Italian Aces' boxing. This was my first stab at a bi-plane back in 2012/13, and I had plenty of trials and tribulations getting the upper wing aligned with the struts, but otherwise was a pleasurable build. It was airbrushed using Tamiya acrylics, and only weathering applied was an oil-based panel line wash and a bit of drybrushing around the engine. Also shied away from attempting any rigging, maybe next time. Unfortunately, the completed kit got a bit mashed while in storage during some building work at home, with one of the struts getting snapped and some of the smaller attachments being lost, so have had to cobble it back together as best I could. Thanks for looking Adam

Not my scale nor my favorite period but Silver Wings is to release very soon a 1/32nd Fiat CR-42 Falco resin kit. Sources: http://www.silverwin...oming-soon.html http://www2.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=234923648#entry1093928 V.P.