1/32 ICM Fiat CR.42

[s00ntir]

By the way - that's the problem with profiles in various books - if you take a look at the picture and compare it with the profile - no antenna wire on real plane, no white disks on landing gear spats on aircraft profile...

[Editor]

From CMPR:
1) From 1923 to about 1936, most Italian fighters of the prewar period such as the Fiat CR.32 were finished in Alluminumo (G2 Camo Scheme, Table 4 - CMPR Color Guide) or silver dope (fabric covered aircraft).
2) For aircraft under surfaces, Grigio Mimetico FS 36231 was the standard underside color from about 1937 up to 1941, although lower surfaces were sometimes left unpainted Aluminium, even till the early beginnings of WWII.

The Fiat CR.42s sent to BoB were all new. btw most Fiat CR.42 losses were due to range (fuel) and equipment failure not combat losses, few CR.42s were shot down in the BoB - the Fiat's also made claims. All things considered, the Fiats actually put in a good showing - read Jean's article in the link below (history).

Below are a few reference photos, the first is the prototype CR.42 left unpainted (silver dope and metal). In the second photo, 83-2 in Mediterranean markings, see the lower surfaces, particularly under the horizontal stabilizer, the surfaces appear painted (possibly silver dope). Also note the color of the wing struts - the wing struts do not look unpainted or bare metal finish but rather painted. In the photo at Pantelleria, there's a mix of 83a and 85a Sq machines, the lower surfaces appear painted again (white - possibly silver dope), particularly the CR.42 facing the camera and under the horizontal stabilizer. And finally, a photo of CR.42s in Belgium (see the one with the yellow cowling in the background), again I can't see unpainted lower surfaces or even surfaces that appear as silver dope. I should add that the surfaces appear a flat white, not a (shiny) metal color although I am open to the suggestion that these surfaces are indeed "silver" (silver dope). As Stefano points out Aluminium paint is difficult to see.

Also take note, there are two RAF Crashed Enemy Aircraft Reports from the BoB (both planes made forced landings due to mechanical failures - the planes were not shot down), the reports state the undersides of these two CR.42s, 13-95 belonging to serg. P. Salvadori and the other 16-85 serg. A. Lazzari, had "silver" undersurfaces, pale blue prop blades (front) and reverse side prop-blades black, and two tone yellow-green camo.









Here's a link to Jean's BoB CR.42:
https://stormomagazine.com/ModelArticle ... JB_1a.html

... and here is the corresponding discussion (see Stefano's post) regarding the camo and paints of the CR.42 in the BoB (read it carefully):
https://stormomagazine.com/phpbb2/viewt ... R+42#p9000

Finally take note that the unit codes for 83a, 85a and 95a sq are blue, not yellow.

I agree profiles in books are generally unreliable, that's because aircraft detail (and accuracy) isn't as important in a book that emphasizes history, and is why we don't use profiles as a rule when we make decals. The disc on the wheel spat of 1-83 was applied later in AS. I need to check but I believe commanders aircraft carried radios to coordinate escort and tactics in BoB although clearly the radio is missing in the photo of 1-83. Although 1-83 is supposedly the same plane used over the Channel it could have been a replacement - we need MMs.

[s00ntir]

Oh dear... don't ask because you'll be answered... what have I done? So change of plans because I'm not skilled enough to change unit codes colors. Vince - thank you very much for your knowledge and support.

[s00ntir]

How about this scheme?

[s00ntir]

Day six. Primed. Next step - polishing and preparing for camo.

[Editor]

In the photo of 6-75, the MM isn't that clear but it looks like 7063 which makes it a Serie IX machine that was ordered in 1941 and likely completed the same year. Foglio D'Ordini n. 8571 was issued 14.3.1938 and it said that the new top side schemes (the honeycomb/network schemes) were to use (existing) three colors yellow, green and brown. The undersides were to be gray. By June 1940 these three topside colors were in full effect and there were two shades of these three colors, the early light Serie Mimetica colors (e.g., CR.32 GM1, VM1 and MM1) followed by the darker Serie Mimetica colors. The topside camo scheme of 6-75 does not display large mottles as in the instructions but thin-dense irregular lines. There's a better photo of 6-75 in ADI #1 and in that photo you can see the three topside colors on the vertical stabilizer and wheel spats. Engine cowling and prop hub were Giallo Chromo (RLM 4). The individual aircraft number '6' is light blue, red is quite a bit darker, almost black in orthochromatic film (maybe more photos of this plane would help but judging from this photo alone its blue) - just as a side note there's a pre-war photo of 5-75, in that photo red-5 is quiet apparent, almost black. The Savoy cross is the Sicilian variant adopted by RA units when the Germans began arriving in Sicily to help avoid friendly fire over the busy skies of Sicily. There were a few variants of this style of cross but its origins trace back to Sicily around the time of the arrival of the Luftwaffe.

By the time of 1941, the undersurfaces should have been gray, and silver dope stocks should have been exhausted but that may not have been the case - silver dope is nothing more than clear dope mixed with aluminum powder, to strengthen and protect fabric covered surfaces from the elements such as water and sun light, so I think we could say that planes finished with fabric exterior surfaces may not have been painted (over) gray (undersides) since there wasn't really a need (silver dope can also display as a flat light gray). The top side colors were considered more important than the undersides particularly when parked on a airfield (e.g., the lip on the wing leading edges) i.e., aircraft were more likely to be lost from strafing than in the air.

[s00ntir]

Vince - I've dug throuh all my decals and friskets and my only possibilities are these three schemes:
1) 1-74, capt. Guido Bobba, 74a Suadriglia, 23 gruppo, 3 Stormo, MM unknown - but I have no picture, just profile
2) CR.42 of Maggiore Vosilla, 18 Gruppo, 56 Stormo CT, Ursel, MM unknown - I've found one picture - camo "invisible" due to high reflection possibly after some rain. But markings seem to correspond. Should it be early and lighter version of camo?
3) CR.42 of maggiore Tito Falconi, 23 Gruppo, MM unknown - again no picture just profile.

I know I'm testing your patience... but I have to choose one possible scheme and finish this model ASAP - in two weeks I'm going for my holidays (finally!)

[s00ntir]

And one picture of maggiore Vosilla's Fiat I've found.

[s00ntir]

And there is one more - I've just called the Owner of Silver Wings (last year I bought from them CR.32 and two Reggiane 2000 - still to be built) and he promised to send me decal set for their CR.42 - so I have one more option - Maggiore Ernesto Botto. But here I've got another question - are these additional air vents on Botto's plane cowling? I don't rememeber seeing anything like that on other Fiats pictures.

[s00ntir]

Day seven - spent digging throuh internet trying to find solution to my markings problem. Actually it seems to be solved

Day eight - I just played with various shades of metalizers to achieve nice and a little bit contrasting effect on lower surfaces. Final result is quite satisfactory for me - and more subtle than on pictures. I'll try to airbrush upper surfaces with Giallo Mimetico 3 today.

[Editor]

Nice job so far. If you choose to do a BoB Fiat note that the cowling yellow was not Giallo Chromo but a color closer to yellow than orange, see Jean's Fiat:

https://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArt ... JB_1a.html

[s00ntir]

I haven't decided yet - but this early Fiat light mimetica colors scheme is tempting Jean's build looks great. Different than other schemes. Who knows...maybe...

[Editor]

I would do Bobba's machine. btw there are no drawings or other photos (that I'm aware of at this time) that show the vent apertures located at the front of the cowling. I have no idea what they were used for other than venting, perhaps too much air build-up in the cowl slowing down the machine?

[s00ntir]

End of day eight - silver lower surfaces and giallo mimetico 1 - there will be early Fiat scheme.

[s00ntir]

End of day nine.... my compressor turned red - so as my index finger.... Upper wing camo still needs to be corrected. The rest will stay as it is. And final livery is still to be decided. The fit of the parts in this ICM kit is really great - upper wing just sits on struts - so far no cement used