The Fiat Chaco scout fighter - a Paraguayan Ploy in 1/72 scale

[Brian da Basher]

The Chaco War chewed up machines as well as men. After the first year both sides looked to replace lost/war-weary/obsolete equipment. Thus, the Paraguayan Purchasing Commission or PPC for short, approached the great Italian firm of Fiat for a new aircraft suited to fight in the Chaco.



Fiat initially offered a version of their famous CR.32 biplane, but the Paraguayans balked at the added cost of the extra wing. Fiat was hungry for sales, so worked with the PPC on a new monoplane design which history barely records as the Fiat Chaco Scout Fighter.



The new Fiat Chaco Scout Fighter was incredibly advanced for the mid-1930's, having such modern features as an enclosed cockpit and a pair of the most intimidating, streamlined spats yet to be seen over the Chaco.



Unfortunately, it took a while for Fiat to work out all the kinks in the new design and by the time the Fiat Chaco Scout Fighter was delivered to Paraguay, a cease-fire had taken place and an end to the Chaco War was being negotiated.



Paraguay's depleated coffers meant the PPC could only afford the FOB for one of these aircraft. Ironically, the aircraft's expensive, cutting-edge canopy offset the cost savings of it being a monoplane. After having launched potent propaganda touting their legions of new "air weapons", the Paraguayan Air Corps was on the spot.



At the annual Paraguay Air Show, the sole Fiat Chaco Scout Fighter made numerous wide circuits, making it appear that there was a new Fiat Chaco Scout Fighter escorting each flight of antique Breguets that passed by.



Seeing the new aircraft on display later, the Bolivian Air Attache noticed the fuselage code C 1802. Thinking Paraguay had over 1,800 of the things, the air attache sounded the alarm of overwhelming spats to his compatriots negotiating an end to the Chaco War.



The Bolivian negotiators became almost obsequious fearing the re-vamped spatted Paraguayan Air Corps and a treaty ending the conflict was quickly agreed on and signed.



The lone Fiat Chaco Scout Fighter was soon replaced in service by newer aircraft on the eve of W.W. II. It then went on display at the Museo Nacional de Tecnología in Asunción where it would be utterly forgotten except for a chance visit by a vacationing NBC-TV comedy show writer working on a new series. I don't know if you've seen this show, if not, maybe you read the book?



Then again, given how sales went...



maybe not.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

This all started with a very cool, vintage Supermodel Fiat CR.32 a good friend sent me recently (many thanks again, hamsterman!) While by today's standards, this is a very simple kit, back in my childhood, it was considered a wonder. For its era, it's very well detailed and an interesting, unique subject, especially for a U.S. modeler in suburbia in the 1970s.



I haven't built one of these since I was a kid, so this was a real trip down memory lane. Of course, mine wasn't going to look like that incredible box art when I was done.



A drop-tank half made for a nice canopy and I swapped out the kit wings for two from a Pe-2. The wing-support struts were spares floating around and I figured best to use them before I lose them.



The model was painted the old-fashioned way in acrylics, Model Masters Green Drab mostly with Polly Scale Early Israeli Gray on the bottoms of the wings & tail planes. The canopy was done with Testor's Gold.





What I really had fun with on this model was the decals.



Those alternate Paraguayan markings came to me while I was doing a little research on the Chaco War. I noticed that Bolivian and Paraguayan markings are both roundels similar proportions. I imagined it'd be too easy to confuse friend and foe in the heat of battle, forcing one side to come up with something different.







The rudder stripes were painted by hand and a tiny Soviet Red Star plopped in the center.



For the wing markings, I used Japanese hinomarus with U.S. stars added and a small, blue RAF roundel in the center, painted over blue for the dot.



I had a blast re-visiting the past by building this model, which I put together over the last three days.



Here's a few of my favorite shots, highlighting that incredibly scary landing gear.



Don't you get a chill down your spine just imagining those fearsome spats swooping down on you?



I know I do.



I hope you enjoyed the Fiat Chaco Scout Fighter and reading a little more almost forgotten history.



Brian da Basher

[Modelling_Mushi]

Nice build and a great backstory as usual Mr da Basher.

The new Fiat Chaco Scout Fighter was incredibly advanced for the mid-1930's, having such modern features as an enclosed cockpit and a pair of the most intimidating, streamlined spats yet to be seen over the Chaco.

You're right, nothing like having the biggest pair of spats on the pampas to scare off the opposition.

[kill me now, put me out of pain]

x

[Tophe]

Great update for the old Fiat biplane.   Would the speed be higher if you selected the little wing instead of the big wing of the sesquiplane?

[finsrin]

Ditto on three above.
You made Fiat into correct looking early monoplane and with intimidating spats. :)
Was clever of Paraguayan Air Force to paint high number on fuselage for even more intimidation.

[Acree]

Very neat looking model!  Reminds me of a CANSA FC 12.

[apophenia]

Great stuff  :)  Made me think of a V-12 version of the Breda Ba.27.

[pigflyer]

 Looks very good, unfortunately, I had to move through the pics very quickly as I was incredibly intimidated by the spats.  But what I saw over the
top of my cushion was very good indeed. (Apart from the intimidation, of course.)