Fiat G.50 / G.50bis
2 in 1

Mark I. Models, 1/144 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Fiat G.50 Freccia ("Arrow") was a World War II Italian fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by aviation company Fiat. Upon entering service, the type became Italy’s first single-seat, all-metal monoplane that had an enclosed cockpit and retractable undercarriage.

The G.50 conducted its maiden flight on 26 February 1937,. During early 1938, the Freccia served in the Regia Aeronautica (the Italian Air Force) and with its expeditionary arm, the Aviazione Legionaria, in Spain, where they compared well in speed and manoeuvrability with their adversaries in the theatre.

The fighter was extensively used on various fronts by Italy, including in Northern Europe, North Africa, the Balkans, and the Italian mainland. The G.50 commonly came up against the British Hawker Hurricane, which was fast enough to frequently outrun the Italian opponent, and could also outrange it. In addition, early in the Second World War it became apparent that the G.50 possessed inadequate armament, comprising a pair of Breda-SAFAT 12.7-mm machine guns.

Later models of the fighter incorporated improvements, including an increase in fuel capacity that gave rise to a substantial increase in range.

The G.50 was exported to several overseas customers, small numbers being flown by the Croatian Air Force while 35 G.50 fighters were shipped to Finland, where they served with distinction during both the Winter War of 1939–1940 and the Continuation War of 1941–1944 against the Soviet Union.

In Finnish service, the type reportedly achieved an unprecedented kill/loss ratio of 33/1.*

* Background text courtesy of Wikipedia

Mark I Models has been specialising in limited run 1/144 scale kits for a while now.

Their latest release is a 2-in-1 boxing of the Fiat G.50 / G.50bis. The package includes parts for two full models.

Mark I's 1/144 scale Fiat G.50 comprises 42 parts in grey plastic and one tiny clear plastic part for each model, plus markings for four aircraft and instructions.

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The quality of the plastic is good and surface texture is smooth.

This is a limited run kit so you don't get little luxuries such as locating pins and tabs. This means that you will need to take a bit more care and time than usual cleaning up and aligning the plastic parts before committing to glue.

Having said that though, there is very little flash, and sprue attachments are admirably narrow.

The kit is broken down conventionally with left and right fuselage halves and each wing having outer-upper and lower halves moulded as a single part. Remarkably, the pitot tubes are moulded onto the leading edge of the wings.

The upper centre wing section is presented as a separate part.

The main undercarriage is moulded as three parts for each side.

Despite its diminutive size and limited run nature, the cockpit is quite respectable with an instrument panel (decal dials on a plastic base), floor, rear bulkhead, pilot's seat, control stick and structural detail moulded onto the inside of the fuselage sidewalls.

The engine is made up from two parts - one for each row of cylinders. The engine cowling is supplied as two parts split lengthwise.

Optional parts are offered for Fiat/Aeritalia built Fiat G.50s, a Srs.I (CMASA built) and a Srs VII (also CMASA built). These comprise alternative spinners, intakes, fins and aerial masts.

Mark I includes a teeny weeny windcreen for each kit. The greatly enlarged photos doesn't do the clear part any favours, but it should look fine on the model.

Markings are supplied for four nicely varied subjects - two Italian, one Finnish and one Luftwaffe.

The decals are in register and carrier film looks thin.

Mark I Models' 1/144 scale Fiat G.50 Freccia is a nice little limited run kit - small but perfectly formed.

The model features surface textures and a good level of detail for this scale.

The inclusion of optional parts for different variants is a nice touch too.

If you are a fan of WWII Italian aircraft, or 1/144 scale models in general, you should think about building this one.

Or these two really!

Thanks to Mark I. Models for the information and images.

Text and Images Copyright 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 5 August, 2021
Last updated 6 August, 2021

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