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Showing results for tags 'Fiat BR.20'.
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I was aware for the first time of the Fiat BR.20a racer modification while reading Paolo Miana's "SIAI Lost archives Vol.I: Sorci Verdi", a wonderful book about the SM.79s that participated on the Istres-Damascus-Paris race. Since I am a product of the sixties and seventies, to be able to transform bombs into flowers sounds to me like a rewarding endeavor. Three civil Fiat BR-20s can be obtained modifying the Italeri kit: -Civil registration "I-FIAT" named "Santo Francesco" -St. Francis- (variant BR-20L) with its sleek figure and pointy nose. -And two Istres-Damascus-Paris race competitors (variant BR-20A) that flew under the race numbers I-8 and I-10 (civil registrations I-ROBO and I-GAQU). The conversion in all cases involves a somewhat extensive surgery, but it's not really difficult if you have chopped a kit or two already to produce some modified variant or substitute kit sections for resin parts. But I won't lie to you, and -as friend Lars Opland says- a weekender this is not. The most conspicuous areas that need excising and replacing are the nose and belly. Other important details need addressing too: new interior, deletion of turret and windows, relocation of doors, and many other details. Since I have already models from the Istres-Damascus race, there is an extra incentive for building the racers: the possibility of photographing them together (I don't say "display" because I don't have a model display case, I put them in boxes to sleep). I-FIAT has its own set of modifications, and it differs noticeably from the racers, but I won't abound here on details since that isn't the variant I will be building. The Italeri kit is quite dated, so much so that some boxings still read "Italaerei". Like some other kits of the time, it's still somehow holding, and can be made into a fair representation with some love. As we all know, we start by looking at those nice drawings and profiles...only to dismiss them for being inaccurate in some detail or another an turn to photographs of the real thing for bona fide clues. Notepad in hand, we shall make notes of all details that need addressing. I have all I need (almost) regarding documentation, and it was provided by the ever-giving Internet, so as with all research projects, the more butt hours on that computer chair, the more you will learn. Don't be lazy. What we get with this "Italaerei" kit is aligned with the zeitgeist of contemporary kitmakers: rivet galore (although not nearly as annoying as Arfix's or Matchbox, as much as I also nostalgically love them), raised panel lines and general clunkiness. Separated control surfaces, exaggerated ribbing and fabric effect, very thick transparencies... the works. But you can operate some alchemy on that beast and turn it into a nice, fair replica, chopping and filing and filling and sanding without remorse or thinking that you may be obliterating some precious detail. Summarizing: the result can hardly be worse than the thing you had at the beginning, so you are liberated to exercise creativity, inventiveness, daring engineering and have fun for a modicum price. Contents of the kit box. Transparencies' sprue included: "Rattle, rattle, toil and trouble": Rivet-counter paradise: The dreaded Homunculi, the modelling golems: And it seems I caught unawares the one that should have been posed in the plane's relief facilities. Awfully sorry for the interruption, old chap: This is big even in 1/72: which actually facilitates surgery, so here are the sections that need excising: The provided engines, if not delicate, at least have the two cylinder rows and some detail, and are certainly better that some I have seen in much more modern releases: }} As we know surface detail is not particularly subtle, but can easily be toned down: Parts presented against plans allow for a modicum of optimism;
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1/72 Fiat Br.20 "Cicogna", Italaerei + Eduard
Fuad posted a topic in Ready for Inspection - Aircraft
Hi, folks! I present to you my latest work. This model was born in the 70s of the last century. I had to cut the outer lines of panels to inside type. I apply "Eduard" kit. Additionally made antenna cables, streamers and lights. Also used a set of rivets from the "Archie".