I was very excited by Italeri's announcement of a 1:48 Re 2002 and grabbed the kit the moment it appeared in the UK. So, how well does it measure up to expectations?

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Hi Rowan

as always: good review, thanks for the heads up !

... but honestly (just judging from the pix) I do not find it that bad .... there is only one big problem in my book: the price tag .. it would be o.k for ~15 Euro... and I can understand that you are even more affected with the weak GBP

all the best

Steffen

Hi Steffen

Believe me - it's a kit I was really looking forward to, but I was more disappointed, the more I examined it. The inclusion of the reference book only underlines how basic (in many places read: crude) it is. It just doesn't really meet modern mainstream standards. But, as you say, the real problem is the price. Overall, I regret buying it.

All the best

Rowan

I read the review but after looking at the sprue pictures (and knowing what other quarter inch offerings there are for this plane), I'm not nearly so off put as might be expected. I'm in the middle of a bunch of limited run kits which really are _crude_. I'd like very much to add this bird to my squadron of Italian planes.

The price does seem a smidge steep for a single engine kit without any multimedia goodies but 65% seems like giving it a failing grade. If someone knows of a better Re. 2002 in 1/48 I'm all for it, otherwise I'll keep my eyes peeled for this one on special somewhere.


Cheers,
Fred

Many thanks, Rowan

I know you do not give such "harsh" critique lightly. I have also written some rather bad reviews because I was pretty pi..ed by one or another "feature" of a kit .. but knowing the much praised CA Reggiane crap ... well, I digress.

I will have a look myself ....

all the best

Steffen

Hi Fred

I meant it as a low pass - a "could do a lot better" grade - so you could maybe bump it up to 70% if that fits in with your exam systems better. I definitely intend to build the kit one day, because it's an aircraft I've always wanted, but it'll need a lot of refinement - just comparing the wings with the photos in the reference booklet, it looks like they'll need thinning by about half out towards the tips.

All the best

Rowan

Hi all,

First of all, I want to say that Rowan hit the nail on the head when he said the kit looks "toy-like". Here are some more pictures to add fuel to the debat...



The engine cowling doesn't fit very well. If you push it in place, there will be a noticable gap. The gun openings? Well, I don't know if we can say "openings" at all. This area will require a lot more work than simply apply the two decals provided in the kit as a "last chance" measure. I have also noticed that the rivet lines just above the ailerons aren't symetric. I suppose the left wing is correct. The CAD develloper was probably tired when doing the second wing's rivet lines...



The wings, as pointed out by Rowan, are way too thick when compared to the real thing. On the model they look like inflatable balloon wings in case of an emergency sea landing! The fuselage headrest/spine looks a bit suspect too.

I have to build the kit, I will build it, but I'm sure it will represent a LOT of work to achieve something presentable. I too was so looking forward to this release by Italeri but I'm very disappointed. I hope the Arado Ar 196 and the Mc.200 won't be done by the same designer team...

Jean-Luc

Hi Jean-Luc

Well, I must say it looks really bad .. the wings are probably not fixable .. and the hump looks as if it has to be build in the fuselage (looks as if it stands a few mm high) .. besides the possible shape issue of the "dent"

the fit issue is not that suprising though ...

thanks for the addition .. still I will get my example and I will see what I can make of it ... i do not think the CA is an alternative, but that is just my opinion. Like you I hope the will not scew the Arado. I have heard the project leader is a woman (no valuation, just info) .. I hope the best as woman pay a lot attention to details

all the best

Steffen

Hi Jean-Luc

Wow! I was wondering if I'd been a little harsh, but that really reinforces my impressions! I was so busy reeling in horror from the rivets that I didn't notice that they aren't symmetrical on the wings! I'll edit my review text to include your points.

All the best

Rowan

Interesting review, Rowan. I was looking forward to this and considered buying it for the Italian campaign coming up. Now I will leave it in the store especially bacause of the heavy wings.

I just hope the Arado 196 is better. I really like the look of this aircraft and was considering to buy it for the seaplane campaign.

Thanks for a good review and the honest judgement on this one.

Ouch! 65% looks generous to me, LOL!

Sorry for bringing up this topic again ...

.. now I have my kit. Having it reviewed, I must say, that I still do not see it as bad as Rowan does. Maybe it is a bit of expectations (in my book Italeri is not one of the prime manufacturers and even Big T and company have their share of faults and mistakes). Still the wing and the hump are annoying and will put off people as will the huge price tag which is not justified (just below 30 € from the German distributor/ importer).

Having said that I also got the Hasegawa Fw 190 F-8 and the LE Tiffy for review and these have a hefty 43,49 Euro price tag on their box! .. seems the hobby will die faster than I thought. I could not afford these kits!

just my 2 ct

all the best

Steffen