Fiat CR.42 (Rhodes '41)

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Sun May 06, 2007 3:32 am

Can anyone give me a definitive answer about the camouflage of CR.42 162-2 P(Rhodes 1941)? I think this is a standard Giallo Mimetico 3/ Verde Mimetico1/ Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 sheme, but some sources claim that it could be Verde Mimetico 53192/ Verde Mimetico 2-3/ Grigio Mimetico sheme.
Also, i need to know what was the underside colour- Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 or Alluminio?

Post by **Editor** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:24 am

This is the "same" plane at Vigna, recently restored. The shades of the colors in the photo are not accurate. Undersides Grigio Mimetico.

https://www.stormomagazine.com/Referenc ... Valle.html

https://www.stormomagazine.com/Referenc ... alle2.html

https://www.stormomagazine.com/Referenc ... alle3.html

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:30 am

But the one in Vigna has alluminio undersurfaces. Is that correct?

Post by **Editor** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:44 am

see Part III, the leading edge of the lower wing is GM. Struts are GM. Many CR.42s were known to have lower surfaces in Alluminio.

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:59 am

Thanks a lot. This was the only thing stopping me from building a model of CR.42

SuperAereo · Post by **SuperAereo** » Thu May 31, 2007 9:55 am

Some think the Cr.42's of the 162ª received a very thin overspray in green over their usual 3-colour Fiat camouflage, in order to render them less visible from above when flying over the sea.

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:39 am

I don't think this is the case, since I found a photo which clearly shows that these Falcos had standard cammo.

The undersurfaces look to be painted Alluminio, right?

SuperAereo · Post by **SuperAereo** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:01 pm

The photo looks like has had its colours retouched digitally for printing purposes, IMHO. I recall a similar discussion about the same photos on an Italian forum and the most authoritative opinions were for the green overspray. Surely the undersurfaces have a sheen to them but it is difficult to say if it is Alluminio or just Grigio Mimetico reflecting the strong sunlight from the sandy terrain.

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 2:31 am

OK, but if they were overpainted, what color was used and when did it take place - Was it done in Rhodes, or they came there already overpainted?

SuperAereo · Post by **SuperAereo** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:29 am

The overpainting would have been done on the island, laying a very thin layer of green paint which let the original camo pattern show through. Which exact shade of green could have been used is anybody's guess.

If you can read Italian there is an interesting discussion here (and more colour photos of the same aircraft): http://www.150gct.it/modules.php?name=F ... light=rodi

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 6:53 am

So, this means I can choose whether to do it with or without the green. It's still not Falco's turn to be assembled, so I have plenty of time to think 'bout it. Thanks