Special Hobby 1/48
Nardi FN.305
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Backround
In the mid-1930s, Nardi developed the first of a series of training
and utility aircraft. This first machine, the FN.305, was designed as
a tandem two-place trainer that featured retractable landing gear, landing
flaps, and a fully enclosed cockpit (all features that were still new
to aviation). Powered by a 180 hp Fiat engine, the FN.305 served as a
military and aerobatic trainer aircraft for the Italian Air Force. Some
of these aircraft were exported to France, but these were taken over by
the Luftwaffe after the French surrendered.
The Kit
The Special Hobby 1/48 scale Nardi FN.305 kit is a simple kit, even
though it is technically a limited-run multimedia project. The kit is
molded in light gray styrene, with most parts on a single tree and the
lower wing half included separately. The two pilots' seats and engine
cowling face are cast in resin. A photo-etched fret contains the instrument
panels, control horns, handles, etc. The canopy is vacuformed. So while
technically a multimedia kit, this is a simple enough build that it would
be ideal for the less-experienced modeler to try their hand and mixed
media modeling.
Markings are included for three Italian and one French examples.
Conclusion
If you're looking to try out multimedia modeling, this is a good trainer
for you (pun intended). Remember to dry-fit your subassemblies frequently
as the sooner you identify a potential problem, the more likely the problem
will be avoided or mitigated quickly. Also remember that resin and photo-etched
parts will not respond to liquid cement, so cyanoacrylate (Crazy Glue)
will be required to attach these parts to the styrene portions of the
model.
Enjoy!
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