Classic Airframes 1/48 Reggiane RE 2001 By Michael Benolkin

History

The Reggiane RE 2001 evolved from the underpowered RE 2000 prototype that never entered production. The designers went back to the drawing board and altered the airframe to accept the Daimler Benz DB601 engine (which also powered the Messerschmitt Bf109 series).

The Regia Aeronautica was more receptive to the RE 2001 but withheld production until a number of other changes were incorporated. By the time the fighter entered operational service in late 1941, the manufacturer was having difficulties obtaining DB601s, as the allocation being sent to Italy were being installed in the Macchi Mc.202. Only 237 RE 2001s were produced and most of these were pressed into fighter-bomber duties.

The Kit

Classic Airframes has made yet another change for the better. This is their first kit produced from metal molds and the resulting difference is immediately clear! All of the styrene parts are smooth/shiny and the details crisp.

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The kit is comprised of 30 medium gray injection molded styrene parts, 19 resin details, three sets of nav light lenses (molded in transparent red, green & clear!), and four vacuformed canopies.

The styrene molding is very crisp and clear in detail with no sink marks and no ejector pin marks in visible places. There is only a hint of flash on a few parts. The wings and tails all have thin and sharp trailing edges! This is another benefit of this type of injection molding.

The cockpit tub is comprised of eight resin parts, with the whole assembly dropping into the fuselage. The DB601's distinctive exhaust stacks are also represented in resin.

While the wings are a typical two top halves over a one-piece bottom half, the wheel wells are resin. The landing gear is similar in design and function to the Curtiss P-40, retracting aft with the wheel rotating flat inside the wing.

Construction appears to be extremely straightforward with the potential for some nice superdetailing.

Markings are provided for two examples: an aircraft from 362 Squadron/22 Group based in Sicily in 1942; and an aircraft 358 Sqn/2 Stormo as flown by Sergeant Major Giovanni Dringoli.

Conclusion

Classic Airframes has provided yet another kit of a subject that has not previously been produced in styrene in 1/48 scale. This kit looks like it will be a simple build with no obvious problems. What's more, this may be the beginning of a trend for future Classic Airframes kits to use the better molding processes.

You've got to get one of these kits. Even if you're not usually interested in WW2 Italian AF subjects, this kit will build up into a great contrast to the usual array of Mustangs and Messerschmitts.

My sincere thanks to Classic Airframes for this early review sample!