Stormo 32003: Italian Bf-109 Aces part 3
Units: See Review

Price

$15.99 from Stormo Magazine

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

This is Stormo Magazine's third 1/32 sheet and they are continuing with the great choice of Italian 109 aces; specifically the late war ANR planes. There are G-6, G-10 and G-14 options in amongst the seven different schemes.

First up is the 109G-6/R3 of Capt. Giovanni Spigaglia of II Gruppo Caccia in November 1944. This aircraft is in standard RLM 74/75/76 with the taller wooden rudder of late build G-6 versions.

Next is a 109G-10 of W/O Dino Foriani of 1a Squadriglia, I Gruppo Caccia in March 1945. This aircraft wears RLM 81/82/76 and like apparently all Italian G-10s, was Erla built so has the 'type 110' cowling, tall tail wheel strut and the large upper wing wheel clearance fairings. This particular aircraft has most of the lower wing unpainted.

The next G-10 is the mount of Cap. Ugo Drago of 4a Squadriglia, II Gruppo Caccia from February 1945. This one is painted RLM 83/75/76 and has the short tail wheel, something rather unusual amongst Erla built G-10s.

In the same scheme but with the longer tail strut is Magg. Adriano VIsconti's G-10 of 3a Squadriglia, I Gruppo Caccia, also in February 1945.

The fifth option is a 109K-4 from 3a Squadriglia, I Gruppo Caccia in March 1945 as flown by Lt. Gallori. This aircraft is in RLM 82/83/76 with the deep 'wave' of side fuselage camouflage.

Option six is a 109G-6 as flown by Attilio Sanson. This RLM 74/75/76 painted plane of 5a Squadriglia, II Gruppo Caccia from the summer or 1944 has a yellow lower cowling and does not have a spinner spiral as is common on the other options.

Another Attilio Sanson aircraft is a G-10 from the March 1945 time frame. This one is in RLM 83/75/76

This 1/32 sheet is superbly printed with crisp markings, bright colors and no registration issues.  There are enough insignia to build several aircraft if you pick and choose wisely. Data markings and nose spirals will need to come from the kit or some other source.

Fortunately for us, there are excellent 1/32 109 kits by Hasegawa for this sheet. Currently no type 110 cowling upgrade part exists (thanks to Cutting Edge going out of business), but doing the modification yourself should not be too taxing.

February 2011

Review copy courtesy of  Stormo Magazine. Order direct from the link.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.