12 - Matchbox 1/72 Aermacchi G.91Y
The first of I hope a lot of Italian military subjects.
The G.91 is a really beautiful plane and if it weren't for politics would have been widely utilised throughout Europe and even USA.
When looking through references I found 1 photo of it in winter camo and all dirty and decided thats what I'm doing. I've tried to replicate the photo as closely as possible, and was honoured when the pilot of the plane in the reference photo contacted me and let me know that I'd made his dad's airplane.
This was are really fun build, lots of fun painting and weathering, I added cockpit details, cut the flaps so I could have them down for landing/takeoff, I replaced the plastic moulded guns with needles and I built the gun protector around it.
I learnt and lot and enjoyed this model thoroughly.
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- 1. My reference image - with pilot Captain Paladino
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- 1. Detailing the cockpit
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- 1. Detailing the cockpit
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- 1. Cutting out the flaps
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- 1. Worms and masking tape
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- 1. Work in progress Comparison with reference image
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- 1. Here you can see the scratch built gun protectors
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- 1. Plastic guns replaced by needle tubes.
Wow, built this some 35 years ago or so. Remember it as it was such unusual plane to all other American famous stuff.
Hi Stellan - yes it is a very different plane to the usual - but a very effective one. Love it.
Really nice model, anthony (@anthonyricco), especially from a 1/72 Matchbox kit. Older kits make a nice model with a little TLC. I couldn't figure out what that cage was on both sides of the nose, so now I know.
Hi George, yes It was quite plain but I enjoyed adding the extras to it. Yes the protector is so the guns don't get bumped and misaligned, they stick out quite a bit.
Terrific result from this old Matchbox kit.
Thanks a lot George. Was plenty fun.
You did a great job on this kit ! You even used the kits stand
Thanks Robert, yes I used the stand, I wanted to try and work with the flaps so I needed it in landing position. It's quite nice getting a stand with the kit.
An excellent model out of the old, simple but so beloved Matchbox kit, Anthony!
Hi Spiros, yes it was my first matchbox build, I must say it went together quite well - only thing was the lack of detail.
Other than that it was awesome.
Fantastic G91, Anthony @anthonyricco
I do remember those kits from the past but defintely not able to build them as nice as yours.
Amazing painting and weathering.
And ofcourse the famous stand in the M(atchbox) style.
Thanks John, I've really been working on my painting and weathering, and if you built one I'm sure it would be much better than mine.
Very nice model Anthony! Thanks for showing her! ?
Thanks Gary, I appreciate the comment.
Nice job on this. Matchbox modeled many very cool subjects like this. This Fiat also happens to be one of their better kits.
Thanks John, yes it was quite a Nice and simple build. I have a Canberra from Matchbox too - so looking forward to that after enjoying this one.
Long live Matchbox ! Handsome plane too.
Great results on your build and painting Anthony
Yes, it could have been sold to more nations but procurement is not always clear cut in favor of the best entry.
Hi Bernard, thanks for the comments, yip unfortunately politics rules it all doesn't it.
That's a beauty! Love the winter camo and weathering, and I'd never seen a version with the longer guns and protectors on it. I've already built one of these in Luftwaffe scheme, but now I may have to go looking for another to add to the stash and replicate this!
Hey Greg - Always go Italian haha. Come on and do it, it is a beautiful scheme.
I just had a look and you weren't wrong, looks like the Luftwaffe didn't have the protectors, maybe the Italian ground crew were always driving on there vespas and looking at the girls and kept bumping the guns.
Lovely work Anthony!
Great to see this Kit built up!
Thanks David - was a really nice kit
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
A very nice work on this not much seen model Anthony !
Attractive work on the color scheme. Nice detail work.
Thanks so much, yeah I worked very hard on the painting and weathering. Appreciate the comments.
I’ve always thought this aircraft’s design might have had been slightly influenced by the North American F-86D, at least in certain areas. It’s a very beautiful airplane though, and you’ve done great work building and painting this.
Hi Jay - the main similarities are in the open air vent in the front - may have been some influences.
Thanks for your comments.
Great work on this one Anthony. Having built this kit as a youngster, it is very nostalgic trip back to my youth. You really did an amazing job on this Italian beauty. Well done!
Thanks Morne - I'm glad I could take you down memory lane.