Reggiane Re 2005

[al49]

Hi,
it's raining since a few days here in Milan, so my outside activity (painting etc) is quite limited, so I decided to start this new project

starting from the PCM kit in 1:32

According to Vikypedia,

The Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario (English: Archer, Sagittarius) was an Italian monoplane fighter/fighter-bomber produced for the Regia Aeronautica during the later years of World War II. It is considered by many to be "the most beautiful plane of the Second World War".[2] Along with the Macchi C.202/C.205 and Fiat G.55, the Reggiane Re.2005 was one of the three Serie 5 Italian fighters. The well balanced lines of the fuselage were aerodynamically perfect, and everything was designed to get the most out of the famous Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine.[3] The only drawback was a certain structural weakness in the rear section of the fuselage.[3] Only 48 examples had been delivered before the Armistice and these fighters took part in the defence of Naples, Rome and Sicily with the final survivors battling above the crumbling ruins of Berlin, with German insignia.[4] Well-respected ace and military observer, Group Captain Duncan Smith, DSO DFC, stated: "The Re.2005 was altogether a superb, potent aeroplane."[5]

So far I did some preparation work and started the cockpit; pictures will follow as soon as the sun comes back

Cheers
Aberto

 

[rochie]

nice could do with a Regia Aeronautica bird or two in my collection

 

[Lucky13]

Aye! Would love a few of those tasty Italian fighters! Got a CR.42 so far...

 

[Airframes]

Looking forward to seeing this one Alberto, always liked this aircraft.

 

[al49]

Hi,
as I mentioned I wanted to take some photos on this "in-progress" model but, as the sun didn't showed-up, I had to do that under a lamp.
As you will see, one consequence is that the interior green, I used Lifecolor as their shade seems to me to be quite correct, is almost undistinguishable from the grey plastic.

Here we are:

Landing gear bays, almost ready to be installed in wings.

Left and right cockpit panels:

Cockpit floor with the home made control stick: the kit one IMHO was too tick an wrong in shape.

Of course the control stick waits for painting and the whole cockpit requires some weathering.

Then we have fuselage halves:

I added that plasti-card shim following the suggestion of an other modeller, because I wanted the front section to be round, not almost oval.

Last but not least, I started separating all movable surfaces.

More to follow.
Alberto

 

[Lucky13]

Beautiful work Alberto!

 

[Wayne Little]

Lookin' good Alberto!

 

[vajled]

great stuff
I love these italian WW2 aircrafts... they looks like Ferrari on the sky

What tool are you using for separeting movable parts?

Roman

 

[al49]

Hi Roman,
the plastic of this kit if quite soft, fortunately, but is 1.5 mm tick in average.
For the rudder already done, I used a new x-acto blade and the same will be for the remaining rudder part. For ailerons I will probably also use a razor saw because some cuts will be straight.
Alberto

 

[vajled]

thx alberto and good luck in build
Roman

 

[herman1rg]

Good start

 

[Airframes]

Very nice work Alberto, I especially like the control column.

 

[al49]

A few more photos on the cockpit panels

View attachment 199881View attachment 199882

The instrument panel still wait for handles to be fitted.

Still on the same subject, I found a few pictures telling me that skin was very stressed, specially on wings, see below:

As I think that, to be consistent with the real bird, I should try to replicate that effect.
Do you have any suggestion on how to do it?
So far I found some food suggestions here
Stressed Skin Effect for Model Aircraft by Klaus Herold
but I would like to know if there are other methods in your knowledge.

Many thanks in advance.
Alberto

 

[ScanmanDan]

Great start so far. Very much like your painting. Nice well worn look but still subtle. Good luck on doing the stressed skin effect. I look forward to seeing how you tackle that.

Dan

 

[Lucky13]

Beautiful!

 

[al49]

Some more progresses on my preparation work.

Separated Ailerons

Tail planes and rudder

Started making new landing gear covers
Kit part thickness: 1.1 mm, my one: 0.6 mm

Some more will follow soon.
Alberto

 

[javlin]

Looking good Al I have both the 205/202 from PCM in the collection but have not ventured there yet.

 

[Lucky13]

Beautiful work Alberto!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wayne Little]

Nice work Alberto!