Fiat G-50 Freccia A unusual use of a paper model

[Jim Nunn]

Bob Penkias who is a member of our forum and a wonderful friend, paper modeler (Bata builds a lot of the Fiddlers Green aircraft for chip), ex-pilot, a published aviation artist. Sent me the following photo of his latest painting which I think is outstanding along with his comments on how the painting was created.

The photo does not do the painting justice.

Jim Nunn

"Here ya go Jim; have fun.

BTW: these are the notes I sent to the ASAA editor:

The 1943 Willey’s Jeep belongs to a Southern California Area Historical Miniature Society (SCAHMS) member; he is an active re-enactor. The machine gun is a 1937 Italian Breda that he rebuilt into a gas gun simulator. It uses oxy/propane/electric to give the loud sound of a real gun but uses no gun powder product.

All the kit bags are authentic and range in date from 1942 to 1944
All the jerry cans are original and include German, British, and U.S. cans.

This painted image is from one of a series of digital snap shots I took when he performed with his group MARCHING THROUGH HISTORY. I knew the painting needed a fighter in the sky; something for him to be looking at but I couldn’t make up my mind. I was stuck thinking German when he recommended Italian. I researched WWII Italian fighter planes utilized in North Africa and discovered that there was an open cockpit Fiat G-50 Freccia with an unusual fuselage shape.

On the Internet I discovered a free paper model designed by by F. Prudenziati

http://www.zioprudenzio.it/Fka_g50.html

I downloaded the G-50, cut it out, glued it together, and used the model for positioning
so that the pilot may be seen looking down at the jeep.

Notice, the white cross on the G-50 tail and the jeeps fire extinguisher support straps forming a similar white cross. That was a happy accident.

Liquitex acrylic mixed with Liquitex Slow Dry-Blending medium fluid on a 16 X 20 stretched canvas that had five coatings of gesso preparation with light sanding in-between for a smooth surface.


Bob Penikas"

[Don Boose]

It's a wonderful painting, Jim. I really like Bob's style, and the back story of the model and historic vehicles and equipment is fascinating.

Thanks very much for sharing it.

I assume this is the ASAA to which Bob referred? Welcome to the American Society of Aviation Artists

Don

[Jim Nunn]

Don,

You are correct. Bob tells that the painting should be in the next issue.

Jim Nunn

[Wyvern]

Superb work! I've enjoyed Bob's builds on the FG website.

Wyvern

[Jim Nunn]

Bob P asked why I did not up load the photo of the painting on the original post. I had wrongly assumed that he did not want it on the net.

Attached is a 8 x 11 in photo of the painting.

Jim Nunn

[whulsey]

Wow that really comes up good.