Macchi Mc.202 Folgore

This latest book from MMP (Mushroom Model Publications) covers the technical and operational history of the Macchi C.202 Folgore (Lightning), one of the best Italian fighters of WWII. Lacking modern aero-engines of sufficient power, Italian aircraft designers turned to imported German engines, especially the DB601, and the combination of agile Italian airframe and powerful and robust German engine was a winner in the Castoldi-designed C.202.

Manufactured in quantity from 1941, the Folgore first saw action over Malta in September of that year. From then on the type served on all fronts, even in Russia, and proved a match for all but the best Allied fighters. Sadly for the Italians, they could never build enough aircraft, largely due to shortages of engines (even – especially – when license production of the DB601’s began), and the Folgore was only lightly armed by comparison to the aircraft it opposed with light machine-guns.

The book is in MMP’s usual 6 ½” x 9 ½” soft-cover format.

This new book has full technical details of the design and its development, with 5 1/72 scale line drawings (one of which is a 6 view) and color photos (mostly walk-around type) of two aircraft that are today in museums. One is in the Aircraft Museum in Rome and the other in the U.S. National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. I counted 33 photos of the one in Washington and 41 of the one in Rome. There is also one war-time color photo and 34 black and white war-time ones. Twelve line drawings appear to have come out of a actual tech manual on the Folgore. There are 3 black and white photos of the cockpit interior and one of the pilot’s seat. Finally, there are 44 color profiles at the end of the book. These cover paint schemes for Italy both in it’s Axis markings and some in co-belligerent marks (fighting for the Allies). A few are shown in German markings and captured British marks. 4 of these color paintings are shown as 3-views.

The Italians really had some intricate camouflage patterns on their planes. These usually appeared as wavy edged spots of one color over a base color. Hard to do, at times with an airbrush…but spectacular if a modeler can pull it off. The Folgore is one of my favorite WWII aircraft. One of the first 1/72 nd scale models I ever built was a Folgore.

This new book will highly appeal to modelers, aircraft enthusiasts, and students of WWII. Essential reading for all lovers of beautiful aircraft. This aircraft is just so SLEEK looking. The price of this series of aircraft books has slightly risen with this new book, but well worth it.

I want to thank Dr. Roger M. Wallsgrove, Editor-in-Chief of MMP for this generous review sample.