WGS Spanish Civil War - 1/200 AIM Fiat G.50 'Freccias', Aviazione Legionaria

[Carl_Brisgamer]

My WGS Project #16 for 2013 is a flight of three 1/200 AIM Fiat G.50 'Freccia' fighters. First flown in February 1937, the Fiat G.50 Freccia ("Arrow") was Italy’s first single-seat, all-metal monoplane with an enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear to go into production. Pilots disliked the sliding cockpit canopy, which was not easy to open quickly and interfered with vision, so an open cockpit was adopted in later production series. The first operational Fiat G.50 aircraft were delivered to the Regia Aeronautica in 1938.

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During the Spanish Civil War twelve G.50s were sent to Spain to reinforce the Aviazione Legionaria in early 1939. They proved to be sturdy, fast (although somewhat underpowered) and very maneuverable. Experience in Spain and later in WW2 identified the biggest issue with the ‘Freccia’ was its inadequate weaponry, being just two Breda-SAFAT 12.7-mm machine guns.

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These aircraft represent three of the dozen Fiat G.50s serving in Spain with the 1 Gruppo Sperimentale of the Aviacion de el Tercio, based at Escalona in March 1939. The Fiat G.50s were the most modern fighter available to the Aviazione Legionaria.

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I have painted these aircraft a base coat of 'Marrone Mimetico' stippled with olive green and Gull gray undersides. The decals were all home made (see image below).

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Suggested WGS statistics:
Maneuver Deck: J (max speed 470 kmh)
Damage Points: 16
Firepower: Short B, Long A (2 x 12.7mm Breda Safat machine guns)
Climb Rate: 4 (13.8m/s)
Top Altitude: 12 (10700 metres)

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Now that I have seen this expanded post on your Fiats I'm even more impressed Carl.
The decals are very well done, and the extra information adds even more interest.
Thanks for posting.
Rob.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Thanks Rob.

I have another six 1/200 Shapeways Spanish Civil War fighters on the bench I'm going to try and finish off this month, two Heinkel He 51, two Fiat CR.32 and two Polikarpov I-15bis.

[Whiskysierra]

Great looking models, especially the mottling on the green. Just curious though, the photo of the real thing you put in there looks like the area behind the sliding section of the canopy is also glass, almost like a primitive bubble canopy.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Great looking models, especially the mottling on the green. Just curious though, the photo of the real thing you put in there looks like the area behind the sliding section of the canopy is also glass, almost like a primitive bubble canopy.

The models are the open canopy versions. The early models had enclosed canopies but the perspex was poor quality and easily damaged and the cockpit would fill up with fumes from the engine, so the pilots usually flew with them open. Not too bad in a Mediterranean climate but when they were used in the Battle of Britain the pilots suffered.

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[grumpybear]

Well done models, great pics

[FrankJamison]

Awesome models and some great research. Thanks! :thumbsup:

[ptownhiker]

Nicely done, Carl. Your paint scheme gave me the opportunity to learn what "stipple" means. :)

[richard m schwab]

Carl

Nice report and great planes, i like the decals. What do you use to make the art work?


Rich

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Carl

Nice report and great planes, i like the decals. What do you use to make the art work?


Rich

Hi Rich,

I use Microsoft PowerPoint for the stripes, numbers, letters and roundels, then copy the squadron insignia from webpages or scan them in from books, fix them up if required in MS Paint then insert them into the PowerPoint. I then do a test print to confirm size on standard paper before printing on decal sheets.

Cheers,

Carl

[Blackronin]

One of the to-do in the near future. Thanks again.