Br.1

Model images are links to a build article

Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (FIAT) was founded in 1899. It built its first airplane, a license built Farman, in 1914 as part of the Societa Italiana Aviazione. The Societa Anomina Aeronautica Ansaldo (builder of the SVA series in WWI) become the main FIAT subsidiary in 1926. It had two principal designers working for them during the Regia Aeronautica years. This page features aircraft designed by ing. Celestino Rosatelli.

FIAT Br.1. This is a modified version of the FIAT B.R. bomber and the first to utilise the Warren strut arrangement that ing. Rosatelli was to use on all his FIAT biplanes thereafter. Choroszy Modelbud have added this aircraft to their huge range of 1/72 scale aircraft resin kits.

FIAT Cr.20. The first of Rosatelli’s many notable biplane fighter designs. It was the principal fighter of the early years of the Regia Aeronautica equipping 27 squadrons. Most were powered by the FIAT A.20 V12 engine but a few were powered by the Isotta Fraschini Asso engine. An idrovolante was built and the bis variant had a revised landing gear system. Quite a number of 1/72 kits have been released. The 1/72 KPL and Aeroclub kits are discontinued. Choroszy Modelbud have four 1/72 resin kit variants and Kora have multiple boxings of the bis variant in 1/72 scale.

FIAT Cr.32. Regarded as the pinnacle of Italian biplane design, this aircraft was an evolution of the Cr.30 and was extremely popular with pilots for having excellent flight controls. The 1/32 Silver Wings resin kit is perhaps the ultimate choice. It is a very good looking model in the box, but probably needs a good modeller to get the best out of it. The discontinued Classic Airframe 1/48 kit has since reappeared in a Special Hobby boxing and builds into a nice looking model. Other injection moulded kits include the rather crude Artiplast/SMER 1/50 kit and Italeri’s re-issue of the Supermodel 1/72 kit, which does suffer from rather crude detailing but is dimensionally accurate. A better choice in this scale would be AZ Models injection moulded kit which has more refined details and is available in a choice of 5 boxings: Export, Hungary, Regia Aeronautica, Wings over Spain and Night Fighter.

FIAT Cr.42. When introduced in 1939 this aircraft was the 'ultimo' FIAT biplane. It had excellent handling and good speed for a biplane but lacked sufficient armament. It was the most numerous aircraft in the Regia Aeronautica with about 1,817 built. It saw active service in almost every theatre and was extremely effective in Hungarian service with a kill ratio of 12 to 1. It was also exported to Belgium, Hungary and Sweden and used by the Luftwaffe. There are a few surviving examples, including an intact WWII aircraft at the RAF Hendon and a flying example based at Duxford IWM. Silver Wings have produced a good looking 1/32 resin kit but it is rather expensive. A cheaper option is ICM's 1/32 injection moulded kit which came in various boxings. It has proved a hit with modellers, with finely rendered fabric detail and nicely moulded parts. Practically all other kits are now discontinued. This includes Classic Airframes range of 1/48 kits, the 1/72 Misterkit, Pavla & Revell kits, leaving just the Italeri 1/72 & 1/48 kits. Fans of 1/114 scale modelling might want to consider Metallic Details 3-D printed Cr.42 kit.

FIAT Br.20. This was Italy's first modern all-metal bomber when first introduced in Regia Aeronautica service in 1937. It was used to good effect in Spain but quickly became obsolete by the start of WWII. It was reduced to a more secondary role as the war progressed. It's main rival, the S.79 trimotor, was more rugged and agile by comparison. Now OOP, the 1/48 Alphaflight resin kit was a good looking model. The 1/48 Classic Airframe kit has been re-issued a few times by Special Hobby but reviews report it as being a tought build. The sole 1/72 kit is the elderley Italeri model which gets an occasional 'Vintage' collection re-release but it does suffer from crude detailing.

FIAT Cr.25. The Cr.25 first flew in 1937. It displayed many fine qualities during trails but the Regia Aeronautica had already placed an order for the Breda Ba.88. A belated production order for 10 Cr.25's was made and equipped just one squadron. It proved to be a true multi-role aircraft with one Cr.25 even modified for passenger flights between Rome and Berlin. Very popular with pilots, it had an exemplary safety record. Most Cr.25 kits are now discontinued. This includes the 1/48 RCR resin kit and the Special Hobby 1/72 kit. Only the Airmodel 1/72 kit is available.