As CHRIS CLIFFORD reports, the Czech company has re-released its 1/48 Breda Ba.65 with new decals.
Breda’s Ba.65 was flown in combat during the Spanish Civil War, and in the early years of World War Two. In the latter, it served almost exclusively in North Africa and the Middle East. This single-seat, all-metal monoplane replaced its predecessor the Ba.64, and was expected to perform fighter, attack and reconnaissance duties. It took a heavy toll on British armoured forces out in the desert, but was vulnerable when faced by Allied fighter aircraft.
So far, Special Hobby is the only manufacturer to release the type as a styrene product in 1/48 scale. Since the initial launch in 2010 (with Italian Air Force markings), it was reworked as an Iraqi Air Force machine with a fuselage gun turret, two years later. Now, it returns in a limited-edition package (kit SH48226) as the single-seat Ba.65A-80, with markings for Italian machines flying in support of Fascist militia in the Spanish Civil War.
Above and below: The styrene might be limited run in nature but the surface detail is good. The inner fuselage halves also have basic sidewall features.
Above: The aircraft's cockpit comprises two large sections of framework, plus smaller pieces. Note the detailed instrument panel, bottom-right.
As with the initial boxing, besides the three grey styrene runner you also receive a bag of resin parts (engine and bombs), and photo-etched (PE) brass details. The PE fret holds seat harnesses, rudder pedals, bomb launch tubes, control levers, gun cooling jackets and control surface linkages, among other items.
Now, if this kit was built from styrene components alone it would be seriously lacking, but the presence of PE and resin elevates it hugely. This is evident regarding the excellent radial engine, which builds from a central core, separate cylinder casings, exhausts and a splendid one-piece cowling. Also cast in resin are the individual propeller blades and the boss.
Above: A high degree of realism is ensured by this selection of crisply cast resin parts, which form the engine, its cowling, exhausts and the propeller.
Neatening required
The styrene parts do vary in quality and neatness; Special Hobby’s design and moulding has made massive leaps since this kit was first released. Panel line engraving is actually rather pleasing, as it’s fine and consistent. The delicate crenelated lines on the vertical and horizontal stabilisers – and control surface hinge panel lines – are great example of Special Hobby’s moulding aplomb even back then. However, heavy mould seams do show on various parts, so a fair proportion of your time will be spent in neatening. What will be especially labour-intensive in this vein are the cockpit framework parts, on which the seams transform into borderline flash in places. The ‘office’ is a complex area, as a separate frame assembly attaches to the seven-part styrene seat (plus PE harness). In turn, this and a four-piece fuel tank are sandwiched by the aforementioned long frames – these being bookended by a cross-member at the rear and engine firewall at the front. Extra detail comes via the aforementioned PE control levers, which attach directly to the well-detailed styrene instrument panel. The control column will look good too, once the heavy mould seams are removed.
Read a review of Special Hobby's 1/72 new-tool Aero 11B biplane
Sitting between the pilot and the fuel tank are the vertically housed bombs. Their tubes must be fashioned by rolling flat PE parts replete with lightening holes; you will need a PE rolling device to accomplish this neatly. Top and bottom plates complete the tube unit and the resin bombs can be placed inside once painted (or you can simply leave the tubes unloaded). A bomb-release mechanism held by tubular framing sits over the launch tubes, and this comprises both styrene and PE parts.
Above: The four holes in the belly are for the vertically stored/launched bombs, which sit in PE tubes.
Above: Surface engraving is what you'd expect from a 12-year-old Special Hobby product. Mostly consistent, with the occasional blemish.
Above: The wheels are neatly moulded and neat assembly is provided by circumferential rebates.
Above: The PE parts include bomb tubes, seatbelts, rudder pedals and control surface linkages.
More tubular frame assemblies must be built for the main undercarriage nacelles, but it does look as though the positioning of parts for the legs could be a little challenging. More experienced modellers may be able to circumvent the build stages and avoid fitting the undercarriage legs until the model’s exterior is painted (to swerve challenging masking). The last major act of building the fuselage is to position the clear underside panel, which has prominent framing to aid masking. Then it’s just a case of adding the delicate PE control surface linkages.
Above: Minimal distortion is evident on checking the clear parts. Not all are used for this build, though.
Special Hobby’s decals are well printed on thin, gloss carrier film, and the markings are for two aircraft, which differ by fuselage codes alone. Coded 16-35 and 16-18, both hail from 65a Squadriglia Assalto, Aviazione Legionaria, based at Puig Moreno, Spain, in the winter of 1938. Their camouflage comprises a base shade of Giallo Mimetico 4, over which heavy mottling of Verde Mimetico 3 and Bruno Mimetico is applied. The underside shade is Grigio Mimetico. Special Hobby quotes Mr Hobby paint codes for each shade.
This kit costs €39.90 direct from Special Hobby… not bad considering the amount of resin and PE included. The presence of these mediums, and the limited-run nature of the styrene, does place it firmly in the ‘experienced modeller only’ category. However, if you possess the requisite skills – and especially if you like Italian Air Force subjects – this will be a satisfying build project.
Note that Special Hobby sub-brand Special Mask has released a self-adhesive paint mask set for its 1/48 Breda. Item M48012 offers masks for all the glazing and the wheels.
