1/72 Supermodel Reggiane-Re2000 

by Tom Vrauko

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Rare birds: Reggiane Re-2000 ”Falco” 1 : 72 – Supermodel 10-002

 

The plane

The Reggiane Re-2000 was designed by a design bureau led by Engineer Longhi. Longhi worked at Uppercu Burnelli Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of Uppercu Cadillac Corporation. That is where he got acquainted with the Seversky P-35, upon which he modelled his new design.

The prototype first took to the air in May 1939. Although the aircraft was an advanced design, it was rejected by the Italian authorities. The main objection was that the wing fuel tanks were unprotected.

 

Technical data:

Wignspan:  11 m

Length:    7,99 m

Height: 3,20 m

Max. speed: 530 km/h

Armament: 2 db 12,7 mm guns in the cowling, later 2 more in the wings

Power plant: Piaggio P-XI RC 40, 1000 HP

 

Major versions:

I (=Intercettore)

Cat (=Catapultabile, on board ships)

GA (=Grande Autonomie) long range

BIS: equipped with the Piaggio P. IX Bis motor

 

Click on images below to see larger images

 

This particular aircraft was the personal mount of Istvan Horthy, Deputy Governor of Hungary, the son or Regent Miklos Horthy. It was in V.4+21 that Horthy crashed and died at 05:07 a. m. on the 20th of August 1942. His death launched some gossip and a series of wild rumours, including conspiration theories suggesting that Horthy’s plane was sabotaged by the German secret service. The reason was supposed to be the worry of the Germans that the popular Deputy Governor, who had studied in the U. S. and who had good connections with American and English politicians, was going to get Hungary, ”the reluctant ally,” out of the war. The 20th of August is the national holiday of Hungary, and it is unlikely that the Abwehr chose such a conspicuous date for the murder. It was also suggested that Horthy was inexperienced with the Reggiane, as he had only flown a total of 75 hours in the type. His general skills as an aviator were not questioned, as he had flown from Budapest to Bombay and back in an Arado sports plane before the war.  He also appeared to have some experience with the Italian fighter, as earlier in August he shot down a Yak and on another occasion he returned to his airfield with eight bullet holes in his Reggiane.  It is a more likely explanation that one of the frequent malfunctions of the Piaggio engine occurred, and the altitude of about 300 m was not sufficient for the pilot to carry out some maneuver and correct the sudden loss of engine performance.  Horthy’s widow, Countess Edelsheim-Gyulai now lives in Australia with her second husband.

 

The model.  Supermodel’s kit is not a new one. The panel lines are raised, and we get nothing in terms of cabin interior. Apart from that, the kit builds into a nice model, with not too many problems during the construction. A small amount of filler was needed at the wing roots. As the canopy was nice and clear (despite the long years it floated in the box), I produced a symbolic instrument panel. Three decal versions are supplied with the kit: one Swedish, one Italian (Navy) and one Hungarian, with the old wedge-type markings. I used the old H.A.D. decal sheet (www.had.hu). Horthy’s decals have recently been released by Toff as well (www.toff.hu). The Czech Special Hobby now produces a Reggiane kit in 1:72, with more detail and recessed panel lines. The kit contains Horthy’s markings among others.

Tom

Click on images below to see larger images

Photos and text © by Tom Vrauko