Pre-order - Kinetic 48167 - 1:48 M346 Frecce Tricolori

Pre-order item! Your order will be fulfilled once the manufacturer releases the model. Estimated availability: late August 2026. The delivery date is approximate and may change for reasons beyond our control.

Plastic Model Kit of the Leonardo M-346 Master Advanced Trainer Aircraft in 1:48 Scale – Frecce Tricolori PAN

Kinetic 48167 is a plastic model kit representing the Leonardo M-346 Master in the colors of the Italian Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale — the famous Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team. The model is based on Kinetic’s new tooling first introduced as kit K48063 and includes 282 parts, featuring plastic sprues for the airframe and external stores, clear canopy parts, and a photo-etched detail sheet designed for demanding modelers.

The M-346 is a twin-seat advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft produced by Leonardo (formerly Alenia Aermacchi). The aircraft features nine hardpoints with a total payload capacity of up to 3000 kg and originated from the joint development program with the Russian Yakovlev Yak-130. In recent years, the Frecce Tricolori announced their transition to the M-346 as the successor to the MB-339 PAN, making this kit especially timely and attractive for enthusiasts of military aerobatic aviation.

Inside the box you will find:

• Gray plastic sprues with fuselage, wings, and equipment parts (approx. 131 parts), plus additional sprues with pylons and external stores
• Clear sprue with canopy parts (13 pieces)
• Photo-etched parts sheet
• Cartograf-printed water-slide decals for the Frecce Tricolori PAN paint scheme
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model technical details:

• Scale: 1:48
• Catalog number: 48167
• Manufacturer: Kinetic
• Completed model length: approx. 309 mm
• Wingspan: approx. 266 mm
• Difficulty level: intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints, or modeling tools. The model requires assembly and painting.

Building the model:

The Kinetic tooling features sharp recessed panel lines and generally good fit. Modelers point out the need for careful alignment of the fuselage halves and precise installation of the photo-etched parts. The complex tricolor PAN paint scheme (with its characteristic diagonal red-white-green stripes) makes masking the most time-consuming stage of the build — dedicated masking sets available separately may be worth considering. It is recommended to paint the cockpit interior before joining the fuselage halves.

For the PAN scheme, the primary airframe color is dark gray (for example Gunze Mr. Color C-116 or equivalent), complemented by carefully applied tricolore stripes. To enhance panel lines and surface details, applying a dark wash over a gloss-coated surface is recommended, followed by a satin clear coat for the final finish.

Essential tools:

• Model sprue cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Modeling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing mold attachment points
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for photo-etched parts
• Paint brushes in various sizes and precision tweezers
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel) and satin clear coat
• Modeling wash for emphasizing panel lines

About the aircraft – Leonardo M-346 Master:

The M-346 Master is an Italian next-generation advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft developed by Alenia Aermacchi (now Leonardo) in cooperation with the Russian Yakovlev bureau under the Yak/AEM-130 program. After the partnership dissolved, both sides continued development independently — the Italian project evolved into the M-346, which first flew on July 15, 2004. The aircraft features a digital fly-by-wire flight control system, a modern glass cockpit with HOTAS controls, and the Honeywell/Avio F124-GA-200 turbofan engine.

The M-346 entered service with the Italian Air Force and later with the air forces of Israel, Singapore, and Poland. Its combat capability includes nine hardpoints supporting a wide range of precision-guided and unguided weapons. The Frecce Tricolori — officially the 313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico — announced the transition to the M-346 as the replacement for the MB-339 PAN, which had served the team since 1982, marking a new chapter in the history of the aerobatic squadron.

Technical data of the original aircraft (M-346 Master):

• Length: 11.49 m
• Wingspan: 9.72 m
• Maximum takeoff weight: 9,000 kg
• Crew: 2 (pilot and instructor/pilot)
• Powerplant: 1 × Honeywell/Avio F124-GA-200 turbofan engine, 28.9 kN thrust
• Maximum speed: approx. Mach 1.15
• Service ceiling: approx. 13,700 m
• Hardpoints: 9, maximum weapon load 3,000 kg

About the manufacturer – Kinetic:

Kinetic Model Kits is a Taiwanese model manufacturer that has steadily built a strong position since the 2000s in the field of modern jet aircraft kits in 1:48 and 1:72 scales. The brand became especially well known for its extensive family of F-16 Viper kits covering nearly all production blocks, while its major releases also include the F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet, F-104 Starfighter, MiG-17, and the M-346 Master. Kinetic tooling is characterized by sharp panel lines and a good level of external detail, though it often requires careful fitting around air intakes and fuselage joints. Decals in Kinetic kits are frequently printed by the renowned Italian company Cartograf, ensuring excellent color quality and precision. The company continuously expands its catalog with new markings and variants, appealing both to collectors of military aviation and enthusiasts of aerobatic aircraft.