Background

The Nardi 305 hardly springs mind as a famous Italian WW2 aircraft but, in fact, this neat 2-seat trainer and sports-tourer held the distinction of being one of the first Italian aircraft with a retractable undercarriage and enclosed cockpit. The type served with the Regia Aeronautica and the Armee de l'Air, and in Chile, Rumania and Hungary.

Plastic Parts

Special Hobby's kit is neatly moulded in their usual soft grey plastic. There is very little flash and the parts feature delicate engraving. Some detail is moulded on the inside of the fuselage halves, but this is a little soft.

Resin & Etched Parts

Just 3 resin parts are included; a cowling-front and 2 seats. These are beautifully cast and the cowling-front features neat air intakes and propeller shaft, while the seats have moulded on harnesses.

A small sheet includes instrument panels (with film backing), plus parts for the undercarriage and contol surfaces. A pitot tube is also supplied, but this will probably look better replaced with wire or HSP

Clear Parts

2 vacuform canopies (1 spare) are provided. These are cleanly formed but don't match photos of the real aircraft. The kit canopy looks too low and heavily framed.

Decals & Painting

Special Hobby have really gone to town here! Decals are provided for 4 different schemes;

2 x camouflaged R.A. trainers,
An all-silver French trainer
The personal mount of Major Tito Falconi, painted cream overall.

The decals are well printed, in perfect register, and a good point is that extra badges and codes (not noted in the painting instructions) are provided for those modellers who prefer to paint the rudder and fin stripes, rather than use decals.

Conclusion

All in all, this is a good little kit, only let down by the concerns about the canopy. Its simple construction makes it a good choice for anyone tackling a short-run kit for the first time.