Fiat CR.32 Freccia

Classic Airframes, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Airfix's 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk. Vb will be available online from Squadron.com

Introduction

I was very sad to see Classic Airframes go into hibernation around five years ago.

Over the previous two decades, “Uncle Jules” had brought us a large selection of subjects that would otherwise never have seen the light of day in 1/48 scale. He was particularly fond of British and Italian aircraft, with these forming the bulk of his catalogue.

It was a pleasure to watch the products of Classic Airframes evolve from sometimes basic and tough to build kits; to high quality, well-detailed limited run models.

Classic Airframes kits still demanded close attention and the application of modelling skills, but for me, the subject matter and the impressive finished result made the extra effort well worthwhile.

Earlier this year I had a phone call from Jules Bringuier, maestro of Classic Airframes. He told me that a number of Classic Airframes kits would be re-released in an exclusive arrangement with Hannants. He also said that it was not be out of the question that new subjects might be released under the Classic Airframes label in the future.

The Fiat CR.32 Freccia

The Fiat CR.32 was an Italian biplane fighter used in the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

This nimble little Fiat was compact, robust and highly manoeuvrable and gave impressive displays all over Europe in the hands of the Pattuglie Acrobatiche.

The CR.32 fought in North and East Africa, in Albania and in the Mediterranean theatre. The CR.32 saw service in the air forces of China, Austria, Hungary, Paraguay and Venezuela.

Used extensively in Spanish Civil War, it gained a reputation as one of the outstanding fighter biplanes of all time but it was rapidly overtaken by more advanced monoplane designs and was obsolete by 1939. *

The latest Classic Airframes re-release, exclusive to Hannants, is the 1/48 scale Fiat CR.32 Freccia.

Classic Airframes released a Fiat CR.32 in the 1990s, but developed a newly tooled kit in late 2005. Sprues from the latter are supplied in this new boxing.

Except for the decals, this kit is analogous to the Regia Aeronautica kit, as it includes a few additional resin parts for bombs and their mounts in the Regia Aeronatica kit.

The kit comprises just 39 plastic parts (and six of these aren't used), 23 parts in grey resin, one colour and one nickel-plated photo-etched fret, a clear injection-moulded plastic windscreen and markings for seven aircraft.

The plastic parts are well up to the standard of the last generation of Classic Airframes releases with authentic fabric texture on the fuselage and crisp surface detail elsewhere. The wing sprue is from the original 1990s release, but the quality is still very good. It only betrays its origins by the shinier plastic. The main wheels were revised with separate tyres and spats this time around too.

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Resin was always one of the strengths in Classic Airframes kits, and this offering is no exception.

In addition to a comprehensively detailed cockpit plus positionable horizontal control surfaces, we are presented with a stunning solid nose section. The fine cooling fins are the most impressive aspect of a most impressive chunk of resin.

The colour photo etched parts are also a welcome inclusion. Two small frets contain the rather torturous-looking harness, seat backrest, rudder and instrument panel details.

A single injection moulded clear part is supplied for the simple windscreen.

As with all limited run kits, and especially biplanes, the Classic Airframes Fiat CR.32 will need time spent on parts preparation and test fitting prior to construction. The absence of locating pins will also demand a bit of extra care in aligning the parts when committing to glue.

Markings *

Markings for seven different schemes are included on the Cartograf printed decals.

• 93 Squadriglia, Castelbenito, 1939. Finished in Red Brown and Olive Green tight mottle over Sand.

• Personal aircraft if Amedo Il Di Savoia wity insignia of Generale di S.A. Brigata Aerea, 1 and 4 Stormo, 1937. Finished in overall Aluminium Dope.

• 50 Stormo Assalto, Tobruk, August 1940. Finished in Red Brown and Olive Green tight mottle over Sand. Fitted with underwing bombs.

• 410 Squadriglia Autonoma CT, Dire Daua, June 1940. Finished in Red Brown and Olive Green tight mottle over Sand.

• Alternative scheme for above - 410 Squadriglia Autonoma CT, Addis Ababa, April 1941. Finished in Red Brown and Olive Green tight mottle over Sand.

• CO 160 Squadriglia, 12 Gruppo, 50 Stormo Assalto, Tobruk, July 1940. Finished in brown and green tight mottle over sand. Fitted with underwing bombs.

• Col. Grandinetti, Commander 4 Stormo. Finished in disruptive hard-edged camouflage of Sand, Olive Green and Red Brown

Markings are all in register and colours look good.

It is great to that some of Classic Airframes' "classics" are being re-released.

The Fiat CR.32 is certainly a worthy subject with its typically Italian lines and terrific range of colours and markings in domestic and export service.

Take your time, test fit, and you will have an attractive and well-detailed biplane on your shelf.

Thanks to Classic Airframes and Hannants for the sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2006 & 2015 by Brett Green
* Historical Text Courtesy of Wikipedia
Page Created 15 May, 2015
Last updated 15 May, 2015

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