On opening the box I was amazed by its content. The level of detail is noticeably high and the finely engraved panel lines are equal to those we've come to expect from Far Eastern manufacturers, the only exception being thicker lines on the upper wing centre section. The amount of flash is kept to a minimum with only the struts needing a little cleaning up. Also sink marks are almost nonexistent; I found only two on the inner faces of the landing gear covers. The other feature that literally shocked me was the number of optional parts, allowing virtually any CR.42 variant to be built, i.e. fighter, fighter-bomber or night fighter, plus alternative styles of exhausts, intakes, undercarriage (spafted/unspatted wheels, skis), bomb racks, underwing searchlights and different spinners! Even the smallest parts look to scale, something that has not been typical of Italeri in the past. Perhaps the only downside to the kit is the slightly 'overdone' fabric effect, especially the ribs on the wings, which are too pronounced for my taste. The final surprise waited at the bottom of the box - a 48-page reference booklet!
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