Fiat CR 25
“VIP transport version”
 

Special Hobby, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

 Special Hobby's 1/72 scale Fiat CR.25 is available online from Squadron.com
 

Special Hobby’s latest incarnation of the Fiat CR25 is the “VIP transport version”. 

It comes on three sprues of soft plastic, which contain a total of fifty-six parts. Complimenting these are forty-one resin pieces and a clear sprue containing the “glassware”. A single decal sheet is provided and this holds options for three subjects. 

The plastic is well formed and comes with very fine recessed panel lines.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Additional releases will use the same fuselage halves so some modification is needed to build this version. 

Extra windows call for the modeller to create openings just above the wing on both sides of the airplane. A scribed line on the inside of the fuselage will guide you but great care will be required for all the apertures to look the same.

Clear plastic insets are provided but it may be easier to use a product such as Krystal Klear or the like to fill the gap. 

The basics are provided for the cockpit but the large clear canopy may persuade the modeller to add a little more. 

The lower wing is moulded in one piece so there will be no problem keeping the correct dihedral. As usual with kits of this type, some test fitting will be required but a quick dry run found no major problems.

Blanking plates for the wheel wells are supplied and these give a basic indication of the internal structure contained therein. 

The engines are each cast in 15 resin pieces. These were all blemish free and contain an excellent level of detail. Both rows of cylinders are provided as well as the assembly for the attachment of the propeller blades. The latter items are not keyed so one must be cautious with their alignment. 

This medium also caters for the hollowed out exhausts, air scoops and pilot’s control grip. 

The instructions are easy to follow and give both colour descriptions, Gunze paint numbers and in some cases Federal Standard equivalents.

Markings

The decal sheet allows for three aircraft to be built, each showing Fiat CR.25 MM3651 at different stages of its career. These cover an interesting selection of camouflage schemes and there will be one to suit all tastes.  

The first sees the aircraft in the testing stage in 1939 with an overall silver finish. Scheme B looks at the machine on the Eastern Front in 1942 with the familiar multicoloured “mottle” over blue/grey under surfaces. The final choice has an overall green finish representing the aircraft in Berlin after March 1943. 

The decals are superbly printed with excellent registration. The very thin carrier film is as close to the printed image as possible and will easily give that “painted on” look.

This is a very complete package from Special Hobby, one that will give the modeller every chance to produce a good-looking result. 

Some care will be needed during the assembly stages but nothing that will strain the skills of even the most modest of modellers.  

Recommended.

Thanks to MPM/Special Hobby for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2005 by Rob Baumgartner
Page Created 09 June, 2005
Last updated 09 June, 2005

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page