Powered by two 1,175 h.p, Daimler-Benz DB 601A-1 twelve-cylinder inverted vee engines, the sole Ro 58 was tested at Guidonia in early 1943 as a prototype two-seat long-range heavy fighter, corresponding to the German Zerstӧrer (Destroyer) class, exemplified by the Messerschmitt Bf 110. Maneuverabilty of the Ro 58 poved to be excellent for a twin-engined fighter, and quantity production was planned using the FIAT R.A.1050 R.C.58 Tifone engine, the license-built version of the Daimler-Benz unit. These plans were upset by the end of the war. The Ro 58 was an all-metal low-wing monoplane with twin fins and rudders. Armament consisted of five (5) forward-firing Mauser 20mm MG 151/20 cannons, two of these in a forward firing ventral bulge which could be removed and replaced by a bomb rack, and one 12.7-mm Breda-SAFAT defensive machine gun in the rear cockpit. Empty and loaded weights were 9,590 lb. and 13,448 lb.

Performance included a maximum speed of 376 m.p.h. at 17,060 ft., a cruising speed of 314 m.p.h., a service ceiling of 31,170 ft., and a range of 932 miles. Time to reach 19,680 ft was 9 min. Dimensions were: span 43 ft. 11 ^1/2 in., length 32 ft. 5 ^3/4 in., height 11 ft. 1 ^7/8 in., and a wing area of 282 sq. ft.

I just received this goodie from Italy and I am sharing the box opening with you. First let me say that the packaging, presentation, instructions are first class and some bigger companies could learn something new from Sem Model. You will find plastic bag with latex gloves and a mask to protect yourself from the resin dust, very kind attention! The kit is complete and one can tell that a lot of attention was put in the details: instrument panel made by the famous Polish firm Yahu, a copper tube to cut the 20mm guns, metal U/C legs to support the weight of the resin model! You really have everything to do a close to the real thing replica. Of course this is a resin kit and as such requires cyano glue and some dry fit, but the parts are really cleverly designed and should not present any problems. Here are some pics of what's in the box, the model will soon be on my workbench, so a big thank to Fabrizio Catalano at SEM Model for the review sample and stay tuned.