ICM Fiat CR.42AS Falco WWII Italian Fighter Bomber (32023) 1:32 ICM

[Julien]

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