A 1:72nd Scale Diecast BOB Falco At Last

[Edward Papazian]

As has been reported, a few of the new Fabbri/LeoModel Italian diecast warbirds have been rendered in 1:72nd scale and one of these is a BOB Falco---Fiat CR.42. This particular diecast is rather good regarding detail and fit, but is let down by its incorrect paint job and show- through markings. Here are some pictures of the model in its original form:






http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu75/Epapazian/P6110001-3.jpg

[Edward Papazian]

Another view:





http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu75/Epapazian/P6110002-2.jpg

[Edward Papazian]

And the undersides:







http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu75/Epapazian/P6110003-3.jpg

[Edward Papazian]

The problem with this neat little rendition is that it seems to be historically inaccurate. It appears that the BOB Falcos were painted in a brown and green blotched upper surface pattern with silvery dope covering most of their undersides. There is no mention from the actual RAF crash site reports of a reddish third color nor do they describe a sand-like ( yellow ) base color for the upper surfaces. As for the actual blotch patterns, these pictures of the plane in question, which made a forced landing on a beach following an oil leak, show quite a different scheme than we see on the LeoModel replica or the restored Falco at Hendon ( the latter being covered with green chicken tracks ). Here are several pictures from the crash site:






http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu75/Epapazian/racamoarticlese_1jpgBOBFalcoTopside.jpg

[Edward Papazian]

And a shot showing one side:







http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu75/Epapazian/racamoarticlese_2ajpgBOBFalcoSideView.jpg

[Edward Papazian]

So, I redid the LeoModel Falco in what I think is a more correct scheme. Here is a picture:








http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu75/Epapazian/P6140002.jpg

[Edward Papazian]

Another view:







http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu75/Epapazian/P6140004.jpg

[Edward Papazian]

And the silver doped undersides with the various holes filled in:






http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu75/Epapazian/P6140005.jpg

[fozzy45]

Well done EP looks good to me and a good post. I guess in fairness to Fabbri/Leo most references such as Osprey and the Mushroom Model Publications book on the Falco show the BoB scheme on the Falco as a three colour scheme with grey undersides. Agree that this is clearly incorrect on the Falco shown. Do you know whether these were specially painted prior to Operations against the UK or whether any actually flew with the three colour scheme?

[Edward Papazian]

Well done EP looks good to me and a good post. I guess in fairness to Fabbri/Leo most references such as Osprey and the Mushroom Model Publications book on the Falco show the BoB scheme on the Falco as a three colour scheme with grey undersides. Agree that this is clearly incorrect on the Falco shown. Do you know whether these were specially painted prior to Operations against the UK or whether any actually flew with the three colour scheme?

Thanks, Fozzy. It seems that most or all of the BOB Falcos were new machines that came more or less directly from the factory, not from units operating in the desert or other southern locales. The Italians used what was referred to as a "European" scheme for most of their fighters operating in darker, northern areas and also for planes like the Fiat CR.42s sold to Belgium before the war or Fiat G.50s sold to the Finns. These also had a brown base---actually a light chestnut shade--- which was overlaid with green spots or blotches. It is true, however, that many Italian fighters had a red-brown application added as a third color both in Italy proper and in Africa, though the latter often had a sand-yellow, rather than a brown base. If you are interested in an interesting report on the BOB Falco camouflage schemes Google this: "A Re-Evaluation of Regia Aeronautica Camouflage, 1940" by Steven Eisenman. It is one of the sources I used in my research.

[Acklington]

Interesting post Ed. Can I assume that the yellow nose was specially applied for the BoB theatre, in order to match the general Lufwaffe recognition markings of yellow noses?

I first came across this Falco when it was in the historic collection hangar at the (then) RAF Selection Centre at Biggin Hill in 1964. There was nothing 'museum like' about that hangar - rather just a rather dimly lit storage hangar, with aircraft looking like they had just been wheeled in after their last flight. I was the only person in there, viewing WW2 enemy aircraft for the first time, and the distinctive smell of those aircraft, the silence, and the spooky lighting has all left a strong impression which lingers to this day.

I wrote down the Italian wording off the fuselage badge on the Falco, and asked my father to translate it when I got home. It translates roughly as "Now watch this!"

[Edward Papazian]

Interesting post Ed. Can I assume that the yellow nose was specially applied for the BoB theatre, in order to match the general Lufwaffe recognition markings of yellow noses?

I first came across this Falco when it was in the historic collection hangar at the (then) RAF Selection Centre at Biggin Hill in 1964. There was nothing 'museum like' about that hangar - rather just a rather dimly lit storage hangar, with aircraft looking like they had just been wheeled in after their last flight. I was the only person in there, viewing WW2 enemy aircraft for the first time, and the distinctive smell of those aircraft, the silence, and the spooky lighting has all left a strong impression which lingers to this day.

I wrote down the Italian wording off the fuselage badge on the Falco, and asked my father to translate it when I got home. It translates roughly as "Now watch this!"

Thanks, Ack. I think that the yellow cowls, which one sees on many Italian fighters and other aircraft early in the war were intended to help the Germans ID their allies, not only over the English Channel but in Greece, Yugoslavia and North Africa. Interestingly, the yellow markings were not used---to my knowledge---in the Horn Of Africa----where the Luftwaffe didn't operate and the Italians, for a time, had air superiority.

[Davidte2007]

:) Nice post Ed. :cool

:) Fabulous work Sir. ;)

:) Neat little piece of Diecast :cool

[prune]

Great work as usual EP. Where did the decals come from?

[fozzy45]

Thanks, Fozzy. It seems that most or all of the BOB Falcos were new machines that came more or less directly from the factory, not from units operating in the desert or other southern locales. The Italians used what was referred to as a "European" scheme for most of their fighters operating in darker, northern areas and also for planes like the Fiat CR.42s sold to Belgium before the war or Fiat G.50s sold to the Finns. These also had a brown base---actually a light chestnut shade--- which was overlaid with green spots or blotches. It is true, however, that many Italian fighters had a red-brown application added as a third color both in Italy proper and in Africa, though the latter often had a sand-yellow, rather than a brown base. If you are interested in an interesting report on the BOB Falco camouflage schemes Google this: "A Re-Evaluation of Regia Aeronautica Camouflage, 1940" by Steven Eisenman. It is one of the sources I used in my research.

Thanks for the info Ed I will use it on one of my few remainly plastic model builds:) . I only have about 20 unmade plastic models left after selling the vast majority a year or so ago. Two that I have retained are the recent Italiaeri CR42 one of which I plan to do in BoB markings.

[nf3996]

An excellent repaint as ever!

Do these Fabbri/LeoModels 1:72 biplanes ever appear on eBay? All I seem to find are the 1:100 scale jets.

Alan

[Edward Papazian]

Great work as usual EP. Where did the decals come from?

Thanks, Prune. I painted around the wing insignias so they are the ones on the original model and the same applies to the crosses on the vertical stabilizer. The Fascist emblems just below the cockpit came from an old SuperScale decal sheet and the other markings, including some almost invisible stenciling around the tail and on the props, came from a Tauro decal sheet ( Art.727535 ).

[Edward Papazian]

An excellent repaint as ever!

Do these Fabbri/LeoModels 1:72 biplanes ever appear on eBay? All I seem to find are the 1:100 scale jets.

Alan

Thanks, Alan.

I get my models via an eBay seller located in Texas ( cristiantg ) who has contacts in Europe and can order them for me. Otherwise, I have not seen them on eBay/uk but I haven't checked the Italian site. There's an online store in Italy ( GazettaStore.it ) that sells them and has pictures of much of this line posted on its website ( go to "modeling" and then to "air force" ) but I don't know if they sell outside of Italy. I assume that these models will eventually pop up on eBay but this may take some time as the bi-planes, in particular, are very much in demand because they are in 1:72nd scale.

[Dutchie]

Great EP, I like those very much !!!! :cool :cool :cool :)