1/72 Airfix Fiat G.91 R/4 Gina

by Fernando I. Moreno Villa

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Portuguese Air Force in Guinea 1966

This is my model for a Portuguese Gina when they were pressed into just after being received from the West Germany's Luftwaffe between 1965 and 1966. The "5417" belonged to the "Tigres" Squadron based in Bissablanca Guinea, during the African colonial war.  

THE KIT

This kit is very basic. All panel lines are raised and very simple; wheel bays were simple holes and landing gear was barely usable. Only one type of underwing fuel tanks were included, for the Italian A.F. Acrobatic version, and it lacked of the additional weapon pylons.  

For all this, I decided to close wheel bays and represent the plane in flight. I made the cockpit tube, bulkhead and control panels with plasticard and took a seat from a Heller Mirage (which tried to resemble a Martin Baker Mk4). For the very first time, I rescribed some of the most visible panel lines in upper fuselage and wings, to learn how to do this in future. The nose air intake and jet exhaust interior were blocked with platicard pieces placed deep inside and painted in flat black. After painting remaining interior details and adding a jet pilot from the spares box, I joined fuselage halves and put wings in place. Extensive application of putty and sanding was required to fill gaps and delete seam lines.  

Bomb pylons were also scratchbuilt and attached. M114 General Purpose bombs were taken an old Monogram F-4E kit and more accurate fuel tanks from the spare box.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

PAINTING

With the basic assembly completed, I placed the masked cockpit glass before a coat of Tamiya primer. Using my references and many pictures, I tried to match the original Luftwaffe camouflage colors starting with Light Ghost Gray (Silvergrau) in underwings and belly, then the upper camouflage with Dark Grey (Basalt Grau) + Olive Green. Bombs were painted Olive Drab.  

WEATHERING

I only darkened all panel lines spraying very diluted flat black.  

DECALS

A mix of old ESCI and the original decal sheet from the kit were used. I only printed myself the ID numbers using clear decal paper. All of them performed very well during and after placement. Surface was prepared with Future and later sealed in the same way. To seal the whole work, I sprayed a coat of Semi-gloss clear.  

CONCLUSION

Not a great kit, but it was the only 1/72 option for a long time before the arrival of the Italeri and Revell offerings.  

Thank you all and regards from Monterrey, México.

Fernando I. Moreno Villa

Photos and text © by Fernando I. Moreno Villa