The penultimate Re200x series aircraft and the last one to fly (the Re.2006 was the last built, but never flew), the Re2005 took full advantage of the Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine and the sleek Italian airframe to produce a fighter than was right up amongst the best that Italy had to offer. Others aircraft that also took advantage of the DB.605 and were produced in greater numbers were the Fiat G.55 and the Macchi C.205, all of them superlative aircraft.

Unfortunately, the Italian aviation industry just never seemed to get itself on the proper war footing. Production was not very fast and spares were constantly a problem. This was exacerbated even more by the reliance on German engines, as they were needed for home use and few were exported. Though some were license built in Italy, again the snail's pace production speed of Italian industry meant  that they were in short supply.

Unlike the Macchi C.205, which basically plugged the DB.605 onto the C.202 airframe, the Re.2005, like the Fiat G.55, was a new airframe. It had a superficial resemblance to the earlier Reggiane fighters in the planform of the wins and shape of the tail section, but the aircraft was much thinner and more streamlined. Pilots who had the chance to fly the plane were thrilled with the performance and the good armament. Unfortunately for the Italians, only about 30 airframes were completed before the 1943 Armistice, and only 362a Squadriglia was able to operate the type. Some airframes managed to be used by the Fascist ANR and a couple were tested by the Germans at Rechlin.

Upon opening the box, I was taken by how much the kit looked like the latest and greatest from Classic Airframes or MPM. Not surprisingly, it is made in the Czech Republic and probably under contract by MPM. Flying Machines is a brand name of Mr. Kit, who have done several very nice multi-media kits in the past.

The injected parts are all superbly detailed with fine engraved panel lines that are not so shallow as to be immediately sanded off or filled with paint. There was no flash or sink marks. Only some ejector stubs on the larger pieces. Even the mold seams are small and easily handled.

Other than the vacuformed canopy (of which there are two, thank you!), all of the interior bits and most of the other smaller pieces are in resin. The resin parts all come in a small bag and are well detailed. A few of the smaller bits had broken off the resin slugs during shipment, but nothing that can't be fixed .

The injected parts are for the general airframe, prop and landing gear. All of the rest is in resin. This includes the interior, exhausts, gear actuating struts, gear doors, main and tail wheel wells, guns and various exterior lumps and bumps.

The instruction sheet is two folded sheets of paper giving 8 pages in black and white. Five pages contain the 13 construction steps, one for a history and two for markings and paint guide. Because so few Re.2005s were built, there are not many options, but the decal sheet provides three. One for 362a Squadriglia, one ANR plane and one German marked plane. All three are painted in in dark green upper with light grey lower surfaces. The 362 and German plane have a white fuselage band. The decal sheet itself is superbly printed by Cartograf and the markings are crisp and in full register. The white areas seem to be double printed so there should be no problems with bleed through. As a final note, Mr. Kit produces a full line of quality acrylic paints that are perfect for those who are into WWII Italian aircraft.

To my knowledge, this is the first injected plastic Re.2005 in this scale. Prior to this 1.48 modelers had to rely on the Falcon vacuform kit, which is very nice, but is a vac kit so has limited appeal. This new kit from Flying Machines should do very well. Coming up later are a Fieseler Storch and other types.

This kit will be sent to Tom Cleaver for construction, so you can expect a full build review in just a few weeks.

Review kit courtesy of Flying Machines/Mr. Kit. Thank you for your support.

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