Prudenzio Contest Breda BA 65

[cjwalas]

Leaving town Wednesday, so I need to squeeze in another ZP model if I can. This is the last of the Italian Air Force planes for me to build and, of course, I chose a North Africa scheme.
Hope I can get some time in on it today.

Chris

[Don Boose]

Glad to see you building this one, Chris. Perhaps you can solve my fuselage to wing connection problem in time for me to complete mine before the contest ends.

Don

[cjwalas]

Actually, Don, I've just developed a good case of ulnar tunnel syndrome (mouse elbow) and I'm not sure I'll be able to get this one done before the end of the contest. Plus I'm leaving town for ten days on Thurs., so unless I carry this one along with me the chances are it'll have to wait till I get back. But I will get this one done!
Chris

[cjwalas]

Back from my exhausting trip yesterday and right back to this one. After adding the canopy and fuselage glazing, I made an earnest and near fatal attempt at attaching the wings. I am now convinced that there is no practical way to get a good fit here. I squeezed and tweaked as best I could and came away with a fit that seems to get the wings in roughly the right position without too much dihedral, but it isn't pretty;

I've started on all the fiddly cowling bulges. They are the smallest of all the Zio ones I've done and are doubly difficult because, well, they are doubles. And each piece is two bulges;

But my patience is thin and I had to move on to the landing gear at the same time;


Still have lots of bulging covers to add as well as the props. This is certainly the oddest looking of the Italian airplanes in Zio's collection.
Chris

[Don Boose]

Definitely a challenging kit. I haven't tried to do any further work on mine, but will attempt to finish it up eventually. Not too sanguine, if you can't get a good fit on the wings - and the little double rocker arm covers are intimidating.

I have always liked this airplane, however, since I first saw it in a WWII-era children's book on airplanes.

Glad you built it.

Don

[cjwalas]

Finished this one up... except for these parts;

Not quite sure where they go?!?

The model does look nice, despite my problems with the wing attachment.
Chris

[Don Boose]

Better than nice - it looks terrific! You have worked wonders with this kit.

No idea where those parts go. I have looked at the photos and references I have for the Ba. 65 and I can't see anything missing from your model.

This is indeed an inspiration to me to try to finish mine (although i am still not sure how you worked the magic on the wing-fuselage match up, especially at the front.

Don

[cjwalas]

Here's a couple of shots of the whole Italian squadron from Zio;


I had a lot of fun with these.
Chris

[Don Boose]

An impressive squadriglia (keep building and you will have a stormo and then a gruppo).

Don

[Texman]

Very cool Chris! Good on you for getting them all together.