Fly 72050 - 1:72 Caproni Ca.101

Plastic model kit of the Italian Caproni Ca.101 aircraft in 1:72 scale

Fly 72050 is a self-assembly model of the Italian three-engined Caproni Ca.101 high-wing monoplane in 1:72 scale. It is a short-run kit from the Czech manufacturer, in which the injection-moulded parts are supplemented with resin elements (including the engines and cockpit details).

What's in the box:

• Injection-moulded plastic parts (including a clear sprue)
• Resin parts (including the engines and cockpit details)
• Waterslide decal sheet for several marking options (including a civil scheme)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Product code: 72050
• Manufacturer: Fly
• Assembled model length: approx. 188 mm, wingspan: approx. 261 mm
• Difficulty: intermediate/advanced (short-run kit, resin parts)

Note: the set does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

As a short-run kit, the model calls for careful dry-fitting of parts before gluing and gentle clean-up of the edges. The injection-moulded parts are joined with plastic cement, while the resin details are attached with cyanoacrylate glue. Given the many small parts and the exposed structure of the aircraft, it is worth working calmly and in stages.

For a colonial scheme the recommended colours are those typical of Italian aircraft of the period – sand tones with green-brown camouflage mottling; the civil version usually has a lighter, uniform finish. Aircraft are generally given a satin finish, and details can be emphasised with a wash. The instructions provide painting schemes for the individual options.

Required tools:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing and fitting parts
• Plastic cement (for the injection-moulded parts)
• Cyanoacrylate glue (for the resin parts)
• Precise modelling tweezers
• Primer
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints
• Modelling wash to emphasise details

About the aircraft – Caproni Ca.101:

The Caproni Ca.101 is an Italian three-engined high-wing monoplane designed in the late 1920s as a development of the Ca.97. Originally conceived as a transport/airliner, it soon entered military service as a transport and light bomber. The characteristic layout, with one engine in the nose and two in nacelles under the high-set wing, fixed undercarriage and a fabric-covered tubular fuselage, was typical of aircraft of the era.

The Ca.101 is best known for its service in the Italian colonies, particularly during the 1935–1936 campaign in Ethiopia, where it was used for transport, bombing and liaison duties. Despite its growing obsolescence, some aircraft remained in use into the early part of the Second World War. The aircraft could carry a small group of soldiers or cargo and, in the combat role, a modest load of bombs carried internally.

Specifications (Caproni Ca.101):

• Length: approx. 13.5 m
• Wingspan: approx. 18.8 m
• Height: approx. 3.6 m
• Take-off weight: approx. 3,950 kg
• Crew: 3 (plus space for soldiers or cargo)
• Powerplant: three Alfa Romeo radial engines (licence-built Armstrong Siddeley Lynx), approx. 200 hp each
• Maximum speed: approx. 210 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 5,000 m
• Range: approx. 1,000 km
• Armament: 7.7 mm machine guns and bombs carried internally

About the manufacturer – Fly:

Fly is a Czech manufacturer of plastic models specialising in short-run kits in 1:72 and 1:48 scale. Its range covers aircraft that are less common among the large manufacturers – including Italian, French and interwar designs. Fly kits typically combine injection-moulded parts with resin details, giving a richly detailed model from a limited production run. Short-run kits usually call for somewhat more experience than the offerings of the large manufacturers – careful dry-fitting and clean-up of parts – in return giving access to subjects hard to find elsewhere.