IMAM (Romeo) Ro.37 A30 engine 1/48

In the early 1930s, the Italian Regia Aeronautica operated IMAM Ro.1 (Fokker C.V built under licence) reconnaissance and observation biplanes. The military were quite satisfied with this type, but when IMAM offered a new biplane designed by Giovanni Galasso, they decided to acquire this new aircraft.
After the successful test flights of the prototype, production began in 1934. The Ro.37 was powered by a Fiat A.30 in-line engine.
The Italian military also showed interest in a version with a Piaggio P.IX radial engine. This version was known as the Ro.37bis and was produced together with the in-line engine.
The Ro.37 and 37bis became the Regia Aeronautica's main observation and reconnaissance aircraft and remained in service until Italy's surrender on 25 August 1943.
By this time, a total of 621 aircraft of both versions had been produced, 325 of which were the Bis version.
The type was first used in the Italian attack on Abyssinia (Ethiopia).
They also fought in the Spanish Civil War and were used by both the Aviazione Legionaria and the Aviación Nacional.

After the outbreak of the Second World War, the type was used wherever the Regia Aeronautica fought, except on the Eastern Front and the English Channel.
When Italy entered the war, the Regia Aeronautica had 483 machines of both versions, 200 of which were the BIS.
But only about a hundred machines were actually airworthy.
They were used in the Balkans, in North Africa and also on the Italian mainland.

Because of its sufficient power and the possibility of carrying different engines, the type was successfully exported.
In Europe it was used by the armed forces of Hungary, Austria and nationalist Spain.

Plastic model kit

• with resin parts
• with photoetched parts

Scale 1:72

unbuilt / unpainted