Caproni Ca.312 ‘Italian Export Bomber’ 1/72

The Caproni Ca.312 was an Italian twin-engined light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which was developed as an improved export version of the basic Ca.310 type. The entire Ca.310/311/312 family of aircraft represented the Italian approach to so-called colonial aviation - light, relatively inexpensive machines capable of reconnaissance, light bombing and coastal patrol. The Ca.312 differed from the basic version with more powerful Piaggio P.VII RC.35 engines, longer range and modifications to meet the requirements of foreign customers. It was the export potential that was crucial for Caproni: Norway, Belgium, Sweden and Yugoslavia ordered machines of this type, with most deliveries taking place just before or at the very beginning of World War II. The fate of these aircraft was therefore generally short-lived - the Belgian and Norwegian machines fell into German hands during the Blitz campaigns in 1940, while the Swedish examples survived in a training role until the post-war period. In the Regia Aeronautica itself, the Ca.312s served mainly in reconnaissance and training units; as a combat type, these machines were already on the verge of obsolescence from the beginning of the war and suffered from engine unreliability and limited performance at higher altitudes.

The 1:72 scale Special Hobby kit is a limited injection moulded kit complete with resin parts - engines, propellers, landing gear wheels and exhausts - and photo-etch for cockpit details and seat belts. A masking sheet is included to facilitate painting of transparent parts. Decals by renowned Italian printer Cartograf include several marking options for the various operators of this export type, including stencils and national insignia. The kit is suitable for the more experienced modeller who will appreciate the combination of standard plastic parts with resin and photo-etch. The package does not include the paint or glue needed for assembly.