Italian Greyhound: Italeri's 1/32 MC Veltro
The Macchi-Castoldi MC 205 Veltro was an improved version of their previous MC 202 Folgore, which was itself an improved and refined version of the C 200 radial engine fighter from the late '30s, using the wings, rudder and tailplanes, and of course switching to a license built DB601 engine. The MC202 retained the unique wing planform, where the port wing was 8" shorter than the starboard wing, being a unique and innovative solution to the age-old problem of torque. The new plane was light, fast and maneuverable, but also woefully under armed, with 2 Breda-Safat 12.7mm machine guns in the nose cowl, and occasionally fitted with a 7.7mm gun in each wing. the MC205, however introduced a number of needed changes to the line, including the more suitable DB605 built under license, new oil coolers under the nose, and upgraded armament with the inclusion of 2 MG151 20mm cannon, which gave italian pilots more punch when dealing with heavily armed allied bombers and fighters. Dispite the improved performance though, the Regia Aeronautica opted to go for the more promising Fiat G55, with a total of 550 airframes being built.
The MC202 and 205 have always held my interest, whether it is the sleek design, fetching paint schemes or technical innovations. more than likely, all three! When Hasegawa released both the MC202 and 205 in 1/48 back in the day when they used to mold new kits in the early '90s I built both and practiced my airbrushing skills. I think what I truly like the most about these planes is that they are just...so...
ITALIAN!
So when Italeri announced that they were releasing a new mold MC202 in 1/32, I was In! Then I realized that the likelihood they would also release the 205 version was very high so I decided to wait and in October of 2024 I had this kit in my hot hands!
Italeri really put everything they could into this kit to make it a complete modeler's experience. From box art to photoetch this kit lacks nothing. The kit includes 3d printer instruments, a large sheet of photoetch for many of the detail parts, 2 rubber hoses for the engine and fine copper wire for some details, 2 spectacular decal sheets with markings for no less than 8 distinct 205s and another for the smoke rings for the Sand and Spinach camouflage for those that wish to skill the tedious painting, canopy/wheel masks, a full color booklet for markings and painting and an extensive instruction booklet. The plastic parts are fine for the most part, the panel lines are a bit too pronounced for my taste but not too offensive. However, waaaayyyy toooo many ejector pin marks that require filling or hiding in some fashion!
I followed the somewhat unorthodox build sequence to the letter, carefully checking fit and finish as I went. This kit will reward the Careful builder! A highlight of this kit is the cockpit, it is well detailed ond looks the part once complete. This kit can be built with the engine and accessory bay and gun deck exposed or enclosed and I can happily report that there are no fit issues with the panels at all. I chose, after detailing the engine, gun deck and acc bay, to put the covers in place, as the details are lacking finesse for such an expensive kit!
It took very little time to build the kit to the point of being ready for its scheme. I only had to use filler at the wing roots, but nothing major. I added all the pe where needed except for the impossibly tiny access panel locks, that are literally microscopic and just not noticeable! I used RealColors Dark Tan for the desert tan, RC light sea gray for the underside. In both cases I darkened the panel lines with tamiya brown/nato black to make the panels stand out a bit.
I was contemplating going ahead and using the Cartograph smoke ring decals, of which there are like 130 individual rings, and decided to see how well I could replicate those rings freehand with an airbrush...I used a 30/70 mix of Tamiya RAF dark green/X-20 thinner and 17psi, and took my time and I am very pleased with the result! After decalling with the truly superb Cartgraph decals, clearcoating some weathering and dirtying up I was done!
I have to say that this kit caught me by surprise with the ease of building, the accuracy of the kit itself (especially the alignment) and the logic of the assembly sequence, and I have No resevations at all about recommending this kit...if you can get over its Tamiya-like price tag! Viva Italia!
Excellent result, Juan!
Excellent article as well, very informative on both the plane's history and the Italeri kit!
Thanx Spiros!
Absolutely wonderful result, Juan @jebenite1
Very nice work on the painting.
Thanks for sharing that informative article.
Nice results, Juan. Well done.
Excellent results. Very well done.
That is a real stunner - both the detail of the kit, and your craftsmanship. Well done!
Thanx Greg! See my comment below about the assembly sequence!
Beautiful Veltro!
Yea! Beautiful.
Great job and I look forward to building my kit.
If any of you guys want the kit and are turned off by the high price I got mine from Super-Hobby.com for less than $100 USD including postage plus I added a 1/48 decal sheet. As I recall I got the kit a week later so I was very surprised at how fast it was delivered.
Thanx to all for the comments! A couple of things I neglected to mention; when cementing the cockpit into the fuselage, just apply cement to each side of the floor at the bottom. This allows the main spar/engine/wheel assy to "float" into place. Once that assy is secure you can cement the bulkhead to the inside of the fuselage. I left each side of the forward fuse assy that fits around the engine exhausts uncemented until I was ready to fit the upper and lower cowl, which made alignment easier. Like I said, the assembly sequence is a bit unusual...