The
FIAT CR.42 DB was a failed attempt to "revitalize" the obsolete biplane design ala installing an early production
Daimler-Benz DB 601A 1,010hp V-12 inline engine, the sole prototype
MM.469 built in March 1941 flying for the first time at the hands of FIAT's
Valentino Cuz shortly thereafter. During flight testing 326 mph was attained breaking all previous biplane speed records and according to
Guinness Worlds Records still stands in May 2019. Impressed with the type's performance the
Regia Aeronautica Italia (RAI) ordered 150 "DBs" but soon cancelled it presumably to concentrate on
Aeronautica Macchi C.202 &
Reggiane Re.2001 monoplane aircraft production.
The 1/72 scale resin
Italian Kits Wings IKW7205 +
Italeri FIAT CR.42 injected-plastic donor kit conversion build came off remarkably well despite fears of grossly misaligned fuselage joins. The resin casting's starboard side is slightly off center, landing gear a few millimeters higher, wings appearing off center. Nearly all resin kit castings I've worked with had similar misalignment issues this one
not amongst the worst fortunately!
Information regarding the FIAT CR.42 DB via the Internet is sparse, two port-side period photographs was all I had available to accomplish the kit build. The MM.469 prototype appears to had been painted the three-color Giallo-3, Verde-3, Marrone-1 over Grigio
RAI Mimetico Schema C1B typical of FIAT-built aircraft of the day, used
Humbrol, Testors & Model Master enamel paints to replicate it, water decals taken from a number of
SKY & Tauro Model Decal Sheets as well. The two Internet photographs of MM.469 do not show a
Fuselage Fascio nor the MM.469 serial having been painted on the fuselage so left them off though a
House of Savoia crest was applied on the
Distintivo di Guerra white rudder cross.