KIT COMMENT
MORE FROM FROG
At the same time as the release of the Frog model of the Wildcat three other kits were issued. Of these, two, the Barracuda and the Lysander, are re-issues in bags rather than boxes whilst the third is another newcomer — the Fiat G.55. This again is rather an attractive kit and has the unusual feature of the tail-wheel doors and the cockpit seat moulded in with the fuselage halves.
It is simple and straightforward to construct and although we were only able to reach the stage of sticking the major components together before completing this review, it was obviously going to turn out an attractive model. It comes with two sets of markings, one for an Erprobungskommando of the Luftwaffe in 1944 and the other for one of the squadrons of the Fascist Italian Co-Belligerent air force that continued to fight on the German side after the capitulation in 1943.
The paint scheme of mottled green over sand for the latter aircraft always provides modellers with difficulties and all we suggest is that a brush be cut down to almost Vb inch from the metal ferrule for use as a stencil with the paint very dry. Excellent results can be obtained in this manner but experiment on scrap plastic will have to be carried out before perfecting the technique. Like the Wildcat this model costs 21 p.
Aviation News Vol 1 Num 13 10-23 November 1972
NEW AND IN VIEW
FROG. Fiat G.55 Italian Fighter. 1/72 scale U.K. Price 21p.
Again in grey plastic this kit certainly appears to be accurate when comparing the model with photographs etc. , although no scale drawings seem to be available it certainly looks 'right'. Assembly is straightforward and fit of parts is good, although on THIS kit the cockpit canopy is rather thick and heavy. One feature common to the G.55, Firefly and many other similar kits is the absence of any wheel well detailing, i.e. from certain angles one can see right through the wells into the fuselage of the model. This is easily corrected by carefully cutting and fitting bulkeads made from plastic card but it would be preferable if the kit manufacturers could take this into account during the basic kit design/tooling.
Decals are good, being for an aircraft of the RSI (Italian 1944 A.F. flying with the Axis powers) from la Squadriglia,l° Gruppo Caccia 1944. The colours recommended are (RSI machine) HUMBROL ITALIAN AIR FORCE PAINT SET 'MOTTLE GREEN' with 'SAND' mottle OVER this while on the other aircraft - German markings for a G.55 of the Luftwaffe Trials unit would be ITALIAN A.F. 'UPPER GREEN' the undersides on BOTH models being I.A.F. LIGHT GREY. Humbrol HI. 5. Interiors are COCKPIT INTERIOR COLOUR HD.2.
James Goulding
The IPMS magazine, november 1972
NEW TO YOU?
The big rush of new kits and re-issues is 'on' - a survey by Bob Jones (I.P.M.S.) and Scale Models
The other new FROG kit is for the Fiat G.55 to 1/72 scale; again in medium grey plastic, this is a simple kit with straightforward assembly. The omission of a cockpit floor is again most noticeable, particularly with the large area of wheel wells seen on the Fiat G.55; thus make and insert a false floor using thin plastic card. The cockpit canopy is rather thick and heavy, but this can be improved by gently polishing with toothpaste and then buffing with a soft cloth (most canopies in plastic kits benefit from this treatment, finally washing the canopy thoroughly in warm water to which washing-up liquid has been added).
The kit can also be improved by replacing the rather thick tail wheel doors and main undercarriage door covers from new parts made from thin plastic card. Interior of the wheel wells and cockpit is bright green (Humbrol cockpit interior colour paint set colours) and the external camouflage is as shown on the kit instruction drawing, use Humbrol Italian Air Force paint set colours for these finishes.
Scale Models No.40 1973 JANUARY Vol.4. No.1
Modelling world
Frog has followed the example of Italaerei and produced a 1/72 kit of the Fiat G55. This is a somewhat courageous choice because this Italian single-seat fighter is little known and did not play an important part in the air fighting in the Second World War. Nevertheless, the G55 Centauro was an excellent aircraft and it is good to have kits of the less glamorous types. It certainly makes a change from all those Bf109s, Me262s and Zero-Sens! The G56, which was a DB 603A-engined development of the Centauro and is an easy conversion subject from the Frog kit, was potentially one of the best piston-engined fighter designs of the period.
Frog's model is, for the most part, better than the Italaerei version, notably in respect of engine cowling shape and depth of radiator and oil cooler intake. The undercarriage, too, is more delicate. The transfers included are for a G55 of la Squadriglia, 1° Gruppo, Caccia, Aviazione RSI and for a second aircraft in Luftwaffe markings. The cost of this kit is 21p.
James Goulding
Aircraft Illustrated 1973-02 Vol.06 No.02"
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