SBS Model Fiat G.50 in Finnish Service (D48032) 1:48

[Mike]

Fiat G.50 in Finnish Service (D48032)

1:48 SBS Model

 

The Finns purchased and acquired military equipment from all over the world during World War II, including from Italy, whom they ordered 35 Fiat G.50 fighters from, although two were destroyed on their way to Finland (I wonder who paid for them?), so only 33 saw service with 26 Squadron.  As is common with many decal sets, the sheet arrives in a ziplok bag with the multi-page colour A5 instructions doubling as the header-card/protection, and a long sheet of decals protected by a sheet of translucent paper.

 

From the sheet you can build any and all of the following, as there are enough of the roundels to complete them all if you have enough models to apply them to.

 

• FA-11 of 3/LLv 26, Lunkula in Autumn 1941
• FA-21 of 1/LeLv 26, Kilpasilta in Spring 1943
• FA-22 of 2/LLv 26 Joroinen in Summer 1941
• FA-26 of 1/LeLv 26 Kilpasilta in Winter 1942/43

 

 

 

 

 

Most of the options retain some vestiges of the original Italian scheme, and there is evidence of overpainting in places.  Yellow lower wingtips and tail bands are present on all options, with some having yellow cowlings, and a mixture of finishes on option B.  Decals are printed with the SBS logo, and have good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin semi-matt carrier film cut close to the printed areas.  On my sample there were a few tiny areas of black printing that showed signs of spreading, although this was only really visible under magnification, so of little issue.

 

Conclusion

It's good to see some unusual decal options for the G.50, away from the standard Italian schemes that are usually seen.  The Finnish aspect of WWII is less-frequently depicted in the West, so it's nice to see these available.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of