¹⁄32

I.A.R. 81C

Here are some photos of my recently completed build of the FRROM 1/32 I.A.R. 81C (I.A.R. = Industria Aeronautica Romana). As a fan of Romanian aircraft, I never actually thought I would see the day when I could build a 1/32 model of Romania's WW2 fighter aircraft. However, FRROM has delivered an excellent, limited run kit of this interesting aircraft - referred to by one author as "the most famous fighter you never heard of".

As seen in my review build blog, this kit goes together well, with only a little "modeling skill" needed, as is common with limited run kits. I finished the aircraft in the late-war pro-Allied markings, rather than the more commonly seen "King Michael Cross" markings the type wore for most of its wartime operational history. The pro-Allied markings were applied after August 1944 when Romania switched from the Axis to the Allied side. I added a few details to the build, such as brake lines and the aerial wire and components, as these were not included in the kit.

Overall, a very nice kit to build, and I've already made plans to do another and utilize the RB Productions I.A.R 80C conversion!