Pacific Coast Models | 32004: Reggiane Re.2005

Reviewed by Alan Troi

Introduction

For those who are interested in the Reggiane Re. 2005 fighter, Pacific Coast Models (PCM) has released the 1st injection molded 1/32 scale kit of this elegant Italian fighter! This kit reflects clean, accurate, and precise tooling. The main fuselage, wings, tail planes, spinner, propeller, and radiator housing are all injected plastic, with the radiator, cockpit, and exhaust stacks being cast in a bubble free resin.

Packaging

PCM has packaged this kit in their typical fashion with excellent artwork depicting a Re. 2005 victoriously against an RAF Spitfire! The inner contents of the boxing are all safely sealed up in zip-lock bags to prevent small parts loss.

Parts Breakdown

Injected Plastic

The main injected parts are molded in a nice light grey color with minimal flash and are in a separate bag from the resin parts. The mirror like finish reflects the tooling efforts of the Czech based company, Sword who tooled the kit for PCM. The panel lines are to my liking, not too deep or overdone, but subtle and very crisp.

Resin Parts

The resin parts are beautifully cast in a dark grey colour resin and contain absolutely no air bubbles, warping or ‘short’ castings. The resin parts fit their respective locations on the main injected parts nicely. The cockpit, engine exhaust stacks, rear tail wheel mount, wheel wells, and internal radiator are all resin cast parts.

Photo Etch Parts

Eduard has provided the PE parts for the seat belts and parachute harness, the cockpit levers and other small details. The PE fret has been pre painted and is up to the normal standard of Eduard.

Decals

The decals are from Cartograf. They are in perfect register and very well done. There are 5 separate schemes to be built using the provided decals:

1. Regia Aeronautica (x2)
2. Aviazione Della Republicca (x1)
3. German Luftwaffe (x2)

Conclusion

PCM has provided the1/32 scale modelling community with another great Italian modelling subject. The price of the kit is very reasonable considering the high grade of tooling, and the ‘extras’ that are included. The parts fit of this kit is on par with the recent Hasegawa releases, the wing root area is practically a drop fit, as well as the forward and rear areas of the wing to fuselage join. I am very glad to see that attention was paid to this area.

I am a big fan of the Re. 2005 and I never thought that this kit would ever see the light of day in 1/32 scale, but thanks to the efforts of PCM we now have another great Italian modelling subject worthy of our larger scale!

This is the best fitting and most well thought out 1/32 scale fighter produced outside of the main stream manufactures I have ever had the pleasure to review. I liked it so much in fact that I have already started building! You may follow my build which will be updated as time permits.

I highly recommend this kit to anyone who is a fan of WWII Italian fighters or anybody looking for “something different” to add to the collection!

Future PCM releases: As of publishing of this review article PCM recently announced the upcoming release of a new 1/32 scale Spitfire MK IX (Kit number: 32005)! If this Re. 2005 is the tooling standard of their new upcoming Spitfire, then we are going to be in for a real treat! A big "thank you" to PCM for providing the 1/32 scale community with these new releases! We are looking forward to the upcoming Spitfire Mk IX!

Visit the PCM website and view their new 1/32 scale kits.