Here's a look at Special Hobby's very neat kit of the Ro.44 floatplane fighter. Never likely to catch the attention of the mainstream producers, it's a perfect subject for a limited-run technology kit like this.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

I am AMAZED they picked this as a kit subject!

Hi Brian

In one line you've summed up precisely why we've got to love limited-run producers so much! Wonderful things like this would simply never see the light of day as kits if it weren't for them.

All the best

Rowan

Hi again

I couldn't resist starting to have a play with this little beauty. I actually did everything in reverse order, starting with the engine while I pondered the best approach to the cockpit.

The engine assembles very neatly, and should look quite decent with the addition of push-rods and wiring. It'll all be tucked away quite deep inside the cowling:



The instructions suggest building the cockpit framework inside each fuselage half and then trusting it all to marry up when you close things up. From experience with other kits of this nature, that seemed a bit optimistic to me, so I've assembled the basic structure first:



Doing it this way, it also looks as though everything will slot in from the bottom, which will make life much easier if it works out that way:





I won't bother installing the nice resin radio gear etc. behind the pilot's seat. It's all hidden, so it'll be a useful addition to the spares box.

More updates when I get a chance.

All the best

Rowan

Hi again

I've continued to have a tinker, spraying the interior with a basic coat of verde anticorrosione:



The instructions show this extending to the fuselage sides, but they are mostly fabric covered, so I masked off the stringers etc. ready for a coat of "linen". I used 0.5mm tape from Jammy Dog - an easy way to ensure all the strips are identical width:



With the masking removed, it does look more interesting - but I hasten to add this is "educated guesswork" and not based on references. Maybe it really was a solid colour, but I've gone by what I've seen on similar airframes:



As you can see, I haven't worried about the ejector pin marks that will be out of sight when the fuselage halves are joined.

I've got the day off work today, so I hope to make a bit more progress.

All the best

Rowan

Rowan,
Like Brain said, a truly odd ball aircraft that would never see the light of day except from a limited run kit maker. While not my cup of tea, as I have dozens and dozens of front line major players yet to model, the kit really looks amazing.

The engine and your detailing really grabbed my eye. Nice job my friend. What did you use for those spark plug wires? Is that stretched sprue?

Looking forward to seeing your next update.

I'm still waiting for Special Hobbies to re-release their 1/48 scale F2A-3 Buffalo, Midway version.

Joel

Cheers Joel

I've always had a soft spot for weird and wonderful, lesser-known aircraft. I hope to have a bit more progress to show soon.

The wiring is knitting elastic. I tried it as an experiment instead of the wire I normally use.

All the best

Rowan

Rowan,
Will just have to try it out. Looks really quite good.
Joel

Hi Joel

I don't know how well it'll take paint yet, so it may be a dead-end. We'll see soon. Fingers firmly crossed...

All the best

Rowan

Rowan,
I've got my fingers crossed as well.
Joel

Hi all

After an enforced lay-off through pressure of work, I had one of those wonderful "Dohh!" moments today that make modelling so interesting.

After previous web-searches had failed to pull up any cockpit photos, I idly revisited http://axis.classicwings.com/ and found nice clear colour shots of the Ro 43 two-seater which have made me totally re-think the interior colours! Basically, they are dark grey, not verde anticorrosione - and I can't see why shouldn't apply to my Ro 44 too.

So... despite having got the interior pretty much finished, I'll back-track for a re-paint when time permits.

All the best

Rowan

Hi again

Time to get cracking again. Sadly, the first job for the New Year will be a bit of a chore - having got the cockpit this far, I'll do a repaint in a more accurate grey.



It was tempting to leave it be, but I know it'd only bug me if I did! So, bye-bye verde anticorrosione - even the seat appears to be aluminium in the reference noted above.

All the best

Rowan