Hi All,

This time I'd like to share few photos of my recently finished Reggiane Re.2002 Ariete II, in the livery of a machine from 239. Squadriglia, 102. Gruppo, 5. Stormo d’Assalto, stationed at Palata airstrip in February 1944.

The Italeri’s kit does not bear strong resemblance with the actual aircraft (fat wings, strange engine fairings, strange fairing on the fuselage behind the cockpit, on my kit replaced with QB resin part) or finesse of the details (huge “rivets”). Fit of some parts is also quite problematic (especially in the engine area and clear canopy).

However, there is no choice, the only alternative is the same model in the Tamiya’s box. Of course, there are beautiful resin aftermarket sets produced by Vector, thanks to which the model is much closer to the original and gets the higher level of detail, but my goal was different – I wanted to practice reconstitution of the overlapping panels – the characteristic technology used by Reggiane, but also Nakajima, PZL, Grumman … – how it came out, you may judge yourself.

As usual, more photos at my blog.



















Best regards
Hubert

Hubert - nicely done - beautiful paintwork !
Richard

Very nice work indeed! Excellent finish and detailing.

How about some close up photos to allow surface detail to be more visible? That panel overlap sounds interesting but need to see it better

Cheers
Pedro

Now that does look sharp , well done !



Terri

Bellisimo! (?)


Great looking finish.

Hubert,
Very nice. Along the fuselage I can see how you applied the overlapping technique.

Gaz

Many thanks for all nice comments, really glad that you like the way it turned out

As for the overlapping panels, few close-ups and under construction shots below:

















The effect was achieved by spraying edges of the panels with Gunze's Surfacer 500 diluted with their Levelling Thinner.

Next as usual, blackbasing with Surfacer 1500 and paints from Italeri and Lifecolor range (well, Italian plane, Italian kit, so Italian paints were a must ).

Best regards
Hubert

Hubert! Lovely aircraft and a very ambitious build, I've never seen that panel trick before!



Magnus

Nice work on a very interesting subject.

[quote] I've never seen that panel trick before! [quote]

Same goes for me, very interesting method, with impressive results.
You've made a very eye-catching model from a rather dull camouflage scheme...not many can achieve this

Cheers
Pedro

Many thanks for all so nice comments

The trick isn't my invention, just saw what Bernhard did building his fabulous PZL.37 and couldn't resist trying it.
The same will be applied to my Hayabusas.

Best regards
Hubert