Macchi C.202 "Folgore"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for February, 1943
by Jo Kotula
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Mario Castoldi's Macchi C.202 Folgore (thunderbolt) was one of the best Italian fighters of the mid-war years. First flown in 1940, the C.202 Series 1 production version entered service in the summer of 1941 in Libya. The Folgore was a low wing monoplane with inward-retracting landing gear and an armament of two machine-guns in the nose; there was also provision for two 7.7mm guns in the wings. Engine production was slow and severely delayed the build-up of the Folgore in service.

Macchi C.202 "Folgore"
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The aircraft underwent very little change and development during its life span, and was produced in 11 series. It eventually served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, the Aegean and Russia. Production amounted to about 1,500. In combat the Folgore proved to be well-matched with the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V in performance, but was badly undergunned and, although slightly superior to American fighters such as the Bell P-39 Airacobra, this armament deficiency prevented Folgore pilots from knocking down many Allied bombers.

Here is a video of the Macchi C.202 "Folgore" in action:

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