When looking for a new project, I decided it was finally time to do one of those Special Hobby Finnish subjects that i have collected- i have the Brewster, Fokker and Fiat. I decided on the Fiat.
So, to get into the right mood, i loaded up media centre with Apocalyptica CD's and found that old "IFK Helsinki" T-Shirt to put on...which brought back pleasant memories of lycra clad girls dancing in aisles...i think there was an IceHockey game as well.
The Fiat G50 isn't actually a new kit really. It is the same basic parts as the "Flying Machine" kit from a few years back. I assume the Italian company contracted the production out to the MPM group, and now Special Hobby are using the moulds themselves. The kit comes with an extra sprue for the skiis that were sometimes fitted to Finnish Fiats, plus the taller tail fin that some used. However the kit does only come with one type of resin cowl- the one applicable to Finnish aircraft. The original version had 2 types of cowl included i believe. Best of all the SH kit is much cheaper than the "Flying Machine" kit.
Initially i doubted SH's colour schemes, or more to the point, their dates. My assumption being that all these aircraft would have had their original mottle schemes overpainted by the end of the 41/42 winter. But phot evidence shows that many of the Fiats still had original (though heavily worn) original camo even by the beginning of the 42/43 winter. And pics show groups of aircraft in regular Finnish camo alongside mottled aircraft and almost every combination inbetween.
Not only that, the overpainting of the regular Finnish green/black camo does not seem to have been very durable- perhaps because the under surfaces would have been very dirty and oil soaked? Some aircraft showing large areas of the green top coat stripped away and showing the original Italian camo underneath. For thoise who like waethering the Fiat G50 is a great choice it seems. Judging from photos the box top pic is no exaggeration as to how some of these aircraft appeared.
All the pics of G50's show filthy, heavily worn aircraft. The mottle seems to be quite dense and dark- hard even to pick in some photos. I decided not to weather it too heavily just out of personal preference.
My subject aircraft apparently had the skiis fittted during the 41/42 winter (though i have seen no pic to really prove this). I also have a later pic (dated sept 42) showing it STILL in the mottled scheme with wheels, but in a bad/dirty state. During 42 it was often flown by MSgt Onni Paronen. The odd combination of summer camo, yellow theater idents, Finnish marking and skiis decided this subject for me.
I even brought out my Badger 100G to do the mottle on this one, something i very rarely do...and need more practice with! For most subjects i find the old trusty Paasche H to be fine.
Andrew
