Special Hobby 1/72 Fiat CR 25 |  | History (From Instructions) The CR 25 was a two-engined long-distance fighter plane built in 1938 by Fiat’s chief designer C. Rosatelli to the order of the Italian Air Force. In its alternative deployment the plane was also used for long-distance reconnaissance and bombing. The prototype was tested in 1939 before a small-scale serial production of the model Fiat CR 25bis, with weaponry slightly different to that of the prototype, was finally approved. Eventually, nine CR 25bis fighter planes and one CR 25D, a transport version of the plane, were built. The fighter planes were attached to the 173rd Squadron for long distance naval reconnaissance. They were successfully used for escorting convoys and in long-distance fighting. They saw service until Italy’s capitulation, but with their numbers gradually decreasing, the remaining planes were transferred to the military transport units. The only CR 25D version produced was used as a personal plane by the Italian military attaché in Berlin. The Kit  This is very likely going to be the only injection-molded kit of the Fiat CR 25 we’ll see in 1/72, and luckily it’s a decent one. Like other Special Hobby kits, this one is molded in a gray plastic, with finely recessed panel lines throughout. The clear parts are also injection molded and are very thin. Resin details are mainly the engines, with the odd man out being the control yoke. The decal sheet is fairly small and well printed.
 The interior is basic and under the rather large canopy everything will be very visible. The main cockpit is made up of a separate floor and rear bulkhead, with the throttle console also molded separately. The control column is made up of a plastic shaft and a resin yoke. The instrument panel fits into the fuselage halves, as does the finished cockpit tub. Separate windows are included for the rear fuselage, and the tailwheel fits into a recess. The fuselage halves are split in right and left pieces.
 Moving to the wings, these are molded in three pieces, with one lower wing and two upper halves. There are wheel well inserts for the lower wing. The engines are made up of resin parts and have separate cylinders. The finished engine will look quite nice in the cowling, which is split into right and left pieces. The exhaust pipes are separate, as is the under-cowl scoop. The propellers are made up from resin hubs and plastic blades with separate cones on the front.
 Finishing details include the clear parts, both the windscreen and the underside of the nose. The rear turret has an option of either being the regular turret or a blanking plate. The landing gear is well detailed with separate retracting struts and wheels that are split in two. The doors are thin as well. Finally, a pair of gun barrels for the nose are provided.
The decal options are all from the same unit, the 173a Squadriglia RST, and all three are camouflaged in the same style of sand, brown and dark green over light gray. Just about the only difference between the three are the fuselage numbers, although one example does feature yellow cowlings. The decals are in perfect register and are quite thin.  Conclusion
For those interested in Italian aircraft of the Second World War, this is a great kit. It is a subject that we are not likely to see elsewhere and Special Hobby is to be commended for providing us with a nice model of such a rare aircraft. | 
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