Hi everyone!
This is my Italeri1/72 FIAT BR.20 "Cicogna" finisehd as a Japanese bird.
The BR.20 Cicogna (stork) was a low-wing twin-engine medium bomber that was developed and manufactured by Italian aircraft company Fiat Aviazione.
Being the first all-metal Italian bomber to enter service, it was regarded, upon its maiden flight in 1936, as one of the most modern medium bombers in the world.
Receiving its baptism of fire in 1937, when a number were operated by the Aviazione Legionaria during the Spanish Civil War, it was also later used with relative success by the Japanese during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
During 1939, a modified long-range BR.20 version (designated BR.20L) performed a highly publicized non-stop flight from Rome to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Despite the fact that it was approaching obsolescence upon the entry of Italy into WWII, it did serve as the standard medium bomber of the Regia Aeronautica, gradually undertaking maritime patrol and operational training for bomber crews. A total of 509 were produced.
The Italeri kit, though old, can provide a decent representation of the iconic bomber.
A few scratch built details were incorporated.
The model was an entry to my friend's Louis Gardner
@lgardner ever growing and utterly successful "Empire of Japan" Group build. Build thread here:
https://imodeler.com/groups/the-empire-of-japan-1919-1946/forum/topic/fiat-br-20-cicogna-i-type-%e7%a7%81%e3%81%af%e3%82%bf%e3%82%a4%e3%83%97%e3%81%99%e3%82%8b-ijaa-12th-sentai-china-1939/
Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/axis/ity/bomber/penbr20.htm
Happy modeling!
Hey Spiros , well done on this one ,I don't know this type , it looks almost British in form to my eye I could see this in RAF markings of the period.
I have never built anything Italian or Japanese so I could kill two birds with one stone.
Neil.
Thanks my friend @neil-foster! Indeed, the Cicogna is of the lesser known types of the period. It was developed at a time where aviation technology was rapidly changing, practically deeming the machine obsolete by the time war started. It was nevertheless a solid design that got its job done during the last part of the interwar years.
In Japanese markings it is really eye catching!
I had no idea the Japanese used the Cicogna, or any Italian planes for that matter, until I read your thorough posting over at MM. I learned something. Another impressive result from the Pendedekas Aero Factory. It doesn’t look like an easy build to me. Thanks for the posting the extra photos here. Well done @fiveten.
Thanks my friend @eb801! When I came across this scheme, I just couldn't resist rendering it!
Another interesting subject and another fine result, Spiros. @fiveten
Thanks my friend @gwskat!
Spiros, this is an awesome build. You put in a lot of work, and it looks great!
Thanks my friend @v1pro!
What's not to like?! Love the scheme, love the fact that it's wearing another country's livery, and that it's not the normal modeling subject. And of course up to the SP Factory standards! Well done.
Thanks so much my friend @gkittinger!
An amazing result, Spiros @fiveten.
Saw it on MM a couple of days ago, great article as well.
I was also not aware that the Japanese made use of it.
This scheme suite the Cicogna perfectly.
You did great on the paintwork and weathering.
Thanks a lot, my friend @johnb!
Beautiful end result! I also want to build something bigger than a fighter. 🙂
Thanks my friend @lis!
Nice work on a cool plane. I've the 1/48 kit in the stash hoping to get to it this year.
Thanks my friend @dtravis!
Looking forward to see your SH kit built!
Nice result, Spiros. Glad to see this one cross the finish line!
Thanks my friend @ j-healy!
I knew I’d seen your Cicogna before your post at MM Spiros 😉
8 months ago I expressed my opinion about your build and today I still maintain- you produced a much better kit that what the plastic delivers
Thanks my friend @holzhamer!
@fiveten, Unusual and wonderful as usual, I learn something new from you once again Spiros. ? You've produced yet another beauty and a lovely scale model! ? Keep 'em comin' my good friend! ?
Thanks my friend @garybrantley!
Spiros, @fiveten
This is another fine example that displays just how good you are at making the best out of everything you build. I am happy that you have been such a wonderful friend, and the help you have been giving with all of the various group builds it shows just how dedicated you are to our hobby.
I still don’t know how you can manage to build as many models as you do, and still maintain the high level of quality at the same time. But I am so glad that you can !
It has to be due to the help you get from QC1 and QC2. This is especially true when it comes to the “test flights” after completion of each new build. I especially enjoyed reading this article and I have learned a few things in the process. It also seems like you are getting a lot of time in the headlines section lately, (both here and at M2), which is well deserved.
The Cicogna is a plane that looks really good wearing Japanese markings. I’m sure that it would look equally good wearing Italian markings too. After seeing how nice it looks, you are tempting me to get a 1/48 Special Hobby kit for a future build.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful plane with us. I will definitely check the “like” button before I leave.
Two thumbs up ? my friend.
Thanks so much my friend @lgardner! Also big thanks for your warm support throughout this build! It was your creation of the Empire of Japan GB that motivated me dragging this one out!
Nicely done Spiros, looks good except for the tail, but it does have character !
Thanks my friend @kalamazoo!
Does have character indeed!
Another excellent model and write-up from you, Spiros, my Chinese friend enjoyed this as well. Like Louis said above, I don’t know where you find the time for all your Modelling activity but we’re glad that you do, keep up the good work.
Thanks my friend @chinesegeorge!
Beautiful result from an old kit, Spiros! Congratulations!
Thanks my friend @inchhigh!
Wow Spiros - what a beautiful build, really well done - I love that scheme on the Cocogna, it looks fantastic and you've built it so well - what an inspiration.
Molto bello, assolutamente incredibile
Grazie mille mio caro amico @anthonyricco!