Maker record
Supermodel
Supermodel was an Italian maker of 1:72 scale plastic aircraft kits. Its range focused on Italian military aircraft, including the Fiat G.55, Reggiane Re.2000 series, CANT Z.1007, S.M.81, Fiat CR.32, Macchi C.202 and C.205, and Aermacchi MB.326 and MB.339 variants. The Bologna-based maker began in 1972 as a separate venture from Italaerei, later renamed Italeri. Its kits covered aircraft from several periods of Italian aviation, with some moulds later returning to market through Italeri.
- Founded
- 1972
- Countries
- Italy
- Locations
- Bologna, Italy · 1972
- Founders
- Rino Parini
The story of Supermodel
Supermodel began in Bologna in 1972, when Giorgio Radicchi left Italaerei and established the new maker with Pasquino Gurioli. The venture brought together earlier aircraft-kit subjects and new releases under the Supermodel name. Its early range included the Fiat G.55S and S.M.81 in 1972, followed by the Fiat CR.32 in 1974 and the Macchi C.202 and C.205 in 1975. These 1:72 kits concentrated on Italian aircraft that were uncommon in other manufacturers’ ranges.
Production then proceeded in distinct phases. Supermodel released the CANT Z.506 in 1986 and, in 1996, kits of the Aermacchi MB.326, MB.326K and several MB.339 versions. The maker’s catalogue also included aircraft outside its main Italian subject range, such as the Blohm & Voss BV 138. After a long absence from the market, some Supermodel kits returned in limited editions distributed by Italeri; other moulds were altered and issued under the Italeri name. Italeri’s catalogue continues to list selected 1:72 aircraft under the Supermodel label.