quang Posted March 9 Posted March 9 (edited) Hi all, While waiting for replacement parts for my current build of the Airfix 1/24 Bf109G-6, I’m embarking in a new and dubious project of which I’d like to share with you the joys and the pains,. My intention is to build the Italeri Macchi C.200 Saetta in the following livery At first sight, the new C.200 is a far better kit than the previous Folgore though it’s much more complex. For this reason, this will not be the usual step-by-step WIP but rather a photo log of each completed stage of the build although I’d be glad to answer any question which may arise. I’ll try to keep this build nearly as ‘out-of-the-box’ as possible, without any external help. COCKPIT Next episode: the engine Cheers, Quang Edited April 1 by quang RadBaron, Elger, denders and 22 others 25
dennismcc Posted March 9 Posted March 9 Nice one Quang, the C200 is a very important aircraft for the Italian air force during WW2 and it is nice to see it getting some attention from the model manufacturers. Looking forward to this build. And what great camouflage patterns they were adorned with. Cheers Dennis
quang Posted March 9 Author Posted March 9 (edited) Indeed, Denis I’ve always favoured the quirky Saetta over the pretty-boy Folgore. Lots of character displayed in the intricate and apparently outdated design. I was somewhat disappointed by the Italeri C.202 but my masochistic self forced me to take the plunge when the Saetta was released last Christmas. I was fortunate to find out that Italeri gave a lot of love to the little hunchback. Accurate shape and proportions. Minute and precise details abound. Of note is the outstanding Fiat A74 engine, a little gem well worth the price of the entire kit. Here’s a teaser before we deal with it in the next installment. Until then, Cheers, Quang Edited March 9 by quang Syntax Landrotten Highlander, scvrobeson, Uncarina and 17 others 20
Jim Barry Posted March 10 Posted March 10 Great work. Tbh, this plane never did that much for me, but this build might change my opinion. Keep at it!
quang Posted March 10 Author Posted March 10 3 hours ago, Jim Barry said: Great work. Tbh, this plane never did that much for me, but this build might change my opinion. Keep at it! Hopefully so, Jim. If you liked detailing the wheel bays on the Bearcat, you’ll enjoy the Saetta 😇 48 minutes ago, spyrosjzmichos said: Great start Quang! Cockpit and engine look lovely! Thanks Spyros! Jim Barry 1
Dpgsbody55 Posted March 10 Posted March 10 It's good to hear that the C.200 kit looks better than the C.202 kit but I did enjoy that build. Mostly . I have both the C.205 and C.200 kits in my stash and had already planned on doing the C.200 kit first, but you've convinced me now. I shall enjoy following your progress on this one. Cheers, Michael
quang Posted March 10 Author Posted March 10 @Dpgsbody55 Better doesn’t mean uneventful! Read on and find out 😇 ENGINE The Fiat A. 74 was a two-row, fourteen-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine based on Pratt & Whitney design. It was the mainstay of the Regia Aeronautica WWII fighters like the Fiat GR.32, G.50 and Macchi C.200. Italeri has done the classic aero engine justice. Reasonably easy to assemble, with minute details especially on the rear part hopefully visible in final through the wheel bays. A caveat though: the instruction drawings must be studied carefully and slavishly followed unless one ends up (like it happened to me TWICE) with an upside down engine. So far so good but how will it fit inside the cowling? 🤔 Until next, Cheers, Quang Mal_Belford, patricksparks, Landrotten Highlander and 15 others 18
dutik Posted March 10 Posted March 10 Nice work so far! Are the holes in stiffeners at the bottom of the cowling open OOTB or did you drill them out? Regards - dutik
quang Posted March 10 Author Posted March 10 (edited) @dutik See below 😇 UNDER THE COVER The 4-part cowling is complex with the characteristic bumps. Nonetheless it assembles well if one take care to study the instructions and respect the assembly sequences. With a little care, the joints are invisible. The supplied photoetched details are eminently usable. For once I used them all. The included masks do their job. 😁 Front radiator in situ. Immaculate casting of the exterior. Note the photoetched bracing of the interior. Edited March 10 by quang Syntax Paul in Napier, Biggles87, Hans and 16 others 19
Dpgsbody55 Posted March 10 Posted March 10 9 hours ago, quang said: @Dpgsbody55 Better doesn’t mean uneventful! Read on and find out 😇 . It's what makes anything Italian so interesting. I'll take better. Uneventful can be boring, but we are talking "degree of" here. Interesting updates. Thanks. Cheers, Michael
Biggles87 Posted March 10 Posted March 10 This looks good, I can see one coming my way in the near future. I do like radial engines but I find them very time consuming. John. 🇺🇦
HB252 Posted March 10 Posted March 10 Nice engine! I do not buy the kit yet, but I take a look at the instructions shett and I think that the Big trouble in this kit Will be the engine mount. The engine mount has like 6 delicate pieces, if the engine mount is buitl a little bit desirein the engine Will be desirein towards right/left or Up/down Waiting For more Quang!
PEYSSON Gilles Posted March 10 Posted March 10 Hello Quang Very beautiful cockpit and a very beautiful engine 👍 Nice work Gilles
quang Posted March 10 Author Posted March 10 (edited) 17 hours ago, Dpgsbody55 said: . It's what makes anything Italian so interesting. I'll take better. Uneventful can be boring, but we are talking "degree of" here. Interesting updates. Thanks. Cheers, Michael Hey what’s life without a shot of adrenaline, Michael? 15 hours ago, Biggles87 said: This looks good, I can see one coming my way in the near future. I do like radial engines but I find them very time consuming. John. 🇺🇦 In fact, radials are no more time consuming than inlines. Just that one has to be very concentrated otherwise one can end up with an upside down engine! 13 hours ago, HB252 said: Nice engine! I do not buy the kit yet, but I take a look at the instructions shett and I think that the Big trouble in this kit Will be the engine mount. The engine mount has like 6 delicate pieces, if the engine mount is buitl a little bit desirein the engine Will be desirein towards right/left or Up/down Waiting For more Quang! 13 hours ago, HB252 said: Nice engine! I do not buy the kit yet, but I take a look at the instructions shett and I think that the Big trouble in this kit Will be the engine mount. The engine mount has like 6 delicate pieces, if the engine mount is buitl a little bit desirein the engine Will be desirein towards right/left or Up/down Waiting For more Quang! I understand your concern but believe me, it can be done. 13 hours ago, PEYSSON Gilles said: Hello Quang Very beautiful cockpit and a very beautiful engine 👍 Nice work Gilles I admit I was a bit let down by my Italeri Folgore. I hope I’ll get more love from the Saetta😇 Edited March 11 by quang Syntax Mal_Belford, Biggles87, spyrosjzmichos and 11 others 14
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