Craftworks | Macchi M.C.202 Folgore
Reviewed by Terry Wiltshire
It came through the post in a very well packed strong cardboard box with giant bubblewrap inside protecting the surprisingly high quality kit box. The instructions seem to be photocopied but of good quality. First impressions of them is you will need some references as well to do a really good job.
Then you get two gi-normous bits of resin. Neither the fuselage or wing were warped and were a good fit when dry fitted. Two British mags SAM and SAMI have just done reviews of the Craftworks P-40 and when I studied the photos carefully I was not over impressed by the scribing and rivet details. I know photos can be deceiving but the panels lines looked a little ragged and the rivets looked like holes drilled in the surface (which of course is exactly what they are!). The Macchi looks a lot better not Tamegawa perfect but then neither are real aeroplanes! The scribing and rivets are very subtle and some of the panels are very slightly raised and look very realistic. The wheel wells looked a bit iffy but not bad. Rudder etc are all separate. Small resin parts are very nice, not Cooper details standards but pretty good.
Decals look wonderful and include placards on silver film. There are four sheets and they include lots of numbers etc and enough markings to satisfy most modellers. I could find no marking/painting diagrams. Not a problem if you've got the references but odd. Perhaps they are missing? White metal looks very good and includes undercarriage legs etc. I thought the canopy was missing. On closer inspection (and reading the instructions!) I found there is white metal and resin framing and flat clear plastic which you use for the glass. I'm not completely convinced but time will tell.
It cost $125 - that's 80 quid in real money (plus £18.70 to HM customs). When you consider what you pay for a good 1/48 kit and then remember this includes everything you need except paint and glue I think its good value. The final decision is of course yours. Personally mines gone straight onto the workbench and provided I don't muck it up will move my modelling up a division. I'm looking forward to their future releases.
Usual disclaimer i.e. I'm nowt to do with Craftwork just a satisfied customer.
© Terry Wiltshire
This review was published on Saturday, July 02 2011; Last modified on Wednesday, May 18 2016