1:72 Fiat CR.32

The real subject

The Fiat CR.32 was an Italian single-seat biplane fighter of the first half of the 1930s. It earned a reputation as an exceptionally agile machine that held its own in a turn even against faster opponents. It proved itself in combat in the Spanish Civil War and served in the Regia Aeronautica into the beginning of the Second World War, by which time it was growing obsolete against modern monoplanes.

What the set contains

This is a set of photo-etched parts intended for a model of the Fiat CR.32 in 1:72 scale. The photo-etched parts are made of thin metal sheet, so on a finished model they match the scale considerably better than thicker plastic substitutes. They come into their own anywhere a surface should be thin and firm all the same. The exact list of parts, their positions and the kit the set is cut for are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts with a sharp blade on a hard surface rather than by breaking them out, otherwise the thin sheet twists. Make the bends over the edge of a steel ruler or in a photo-etch bending tool, and always bend toward the scored line. They are glued with cyanoacrylate glue applied in a minute amount, and a pin works well for dosing it. Before painting, wash and degrease the metal and lay a primer over it, otherwise the covering coat rubs off during handling.

Who it is for

The set suits a modeler who already has experience of building in a small scale and wants to take the cockpit and the surface details to a higher level. For that, a sharp blade, fine tweezers and a steady hand are needed. It is an accessory for a kit; the model itself, paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.