I decided to build the Sword 1/48 Reggiane Re.2001, but as you know, nothing can be simple (in more ways than one).

For markings, I wanted to do Salvatore Teja's aircraft, who was a documented ace (or close to one according to some) on the machine with around five victories. His aircraft appears to be "152-4". Frequently, when you see a 2001 built, it is in his markings. Both the base Sword kit and Stormo Magazine have included it in their decal sheets.

I've learned to trust but verify. Before starting any project, one must do their homework. There is an article on Teja: https://dalmatitaliani.org/2022/02/02/salvatore-teja-ti-contro-nu-nu-contro-ti/. There are scant photos of him and his machine, including the iconic one with him lying on his Reggiane's nose above his emblem. In the article, there is also a post-war photo of him and a model... with the aircraft as "152-2."

Hmm...

A mystery! The hunt is on. More digging. I find another, the starboard side apparently of his aircraft. I can tell it is his because, Ah!, his emblem is on the nose. This proves the emblem was on both sides of the cowling, but unfortunately, the number is obscured. There is a crash photo, it is aircraft #4! I can't tell if the emblem is on the nose due to glare, but I don't think so.

But suddenly, I find it, aircraft #2! (this is going to sound crazy, bare with me)

It's disassembled, the cowling is removed. I can't match up the emblem with #2-- wait! Zoom! Enhance! In the background! It's a cowling, but in the place where the emblem might be is a black blotch. Hope might be at an end, until I realize the Savoy crest on the rudder has also been blacked out by the same kind of blotch. Was this wartime censors? Is this a coincidence? Am I crazy? Desperate? For me, this is enough proof, I will model the aircraft as #2.

8 attached images. Click to enlarge.

The Italian torture device/Seat harness is a PE bit from a Brengun set (for the Re.2000). The gunsight is barebones/nothing and got some scratched detail. The blast tubes are drilled out, and the various little intakes around the nose are opened. A little scoop needs to be added on the port side, as well as two bumps at the base of the rudder. The wing lights are added before painting, as the tips will be masked with a drop of white glue and the rest painted as the main top color.

6 attached images. Click to enlarge.

The biggest smallest issue with the kit is the wing root panel line being in the wrong place. As this seam was completely obliterated from all of the wing root filling anyways, it's something that one might as well tackle regardless.

The whole area is filled and the original line removed. The new line is masked, a pencil is used for a guide, and then with (avoidable) frustration and tested patience, the new line is scribed with a scalpel blade. One day I will invest in a real scriber.

Ready for paint

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

This is super job, my friend @kopperhed!

Photos of the 2001 show a lot of wear on the wingroots. Riveting there made convex divots, and scuffing left a distinct look, and i tried to replicate it at first with chipping fluid but it didn’t work with the dry brushing.

I resorted to hand painting the “spots,” with many layers of dry brushing on top. I think it turned out acceptable

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Excellent job, my friend @kopperhed! Looks awesome at the headlines!