Macchi C.202 Folgore: books - history and technology

Macchi C.202 Folgore : Italy's Best Fighter of the Second World War

The Macchi C.202 was probably the most successful Italian fighter during the Second World War. It is generally agreed that the performance of the Macchi was superior to both the Hawker Hurricane and the Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk and on a par with the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. V.

It is not by chance that virtually all the Italian top scoring aces flew this plane either with the Regia Aeronautica or the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana. At the same time, the Mc.202 is the symbol of the dysfunctions in the Italian military-industrial complex: the lack of sound industrial planning resulting in orders from the Regia Aeronautica for an exaggerated number of different aircraft; the lack of the development of adequate engines limiting aircraft performance and reducing capacity to house weapons with a proper punch; the corruption of politics and the culpable connivance of the high military spheres. The Mc.202 was therefore produced in limited numbers, while there is consensus that air war, especially in the African theatre, would have been different had the aircraft been adopted before.

Macchi C.202 Folgore (3rd Edition)

Combining the agility and excellent flying characteristics of the earlier MC.200 with a powerful German aero-engine, the Folgore was the best Italian fighter in large-scale service. It served with the Regia Aeronautica and other forces, including the Croatian air arm.

The development of the most famous Italian WWII fighter plane is described and illustrated in this book.
It describes the design, development and operations of this elegant and effective fighter.
This expanded 3rd edition contains scale plans, photographs and drawings from wartime technical manuals, superb colour illustrations of camouflage and markings, and rare b&w archive photographs.

Macchi MC 202 Folgore (Part 1)

This book, the first in a set of 2 volumes, describes the history, construction and operations of the Italian Macchi MC 202 Folgore fighter.

Macchi MC 202 Folgore (Part 2)

Dedicated to modellers and history fans, this second part of the monograph, deals with the Macchi MC 202 Folgore activity, starting from the abandonment of Tunisia (1943) to the end of World War II.
The text is both in Italian and English and there are a mass of period black and white and color photos, a good selection of color side profiles along with a section on modelling the type.
A whole chapter is dedicated to camouflage and markings and there are many detailed photos that are both period and modern. Also provided are good views of the cockpit and gunsight.

Macchi C.202 / C.205V Units in Combat (Osprey)

Italian fighters, such as the Fiat G.50 and Macchi C.200, had always struggled with their straight-line speed and restricted armament when engaging their Allied counterparts.
To solve these problems, Macchi initially designed the C.202 Folgore using German engines, which contributed to create a faster aircraft, with a superior rate of climb and reachable altitude. Folgore's success in various North African engagements then paved the way for the development of Macchi's most successful fighter, the C.205V Veltro, which managed to combine increased speed and increased power.

Packed with specially commissioned artwork and original photos, and written by Italian military aviation specialist Marco Mattioli, this fascinating book explores how the premier Italian fighter of the war came to life and the historical circumstances that prevented it from becoming one of the most dreaded aircraft in the Mediterranean.

Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore - Malta 1942 (Osprey)

The inability of the Italians and Germans to invade Malta proved decisive for Allied victory in the Mediterranean during World War II, as the islands provided the Allies with a base from which to project air power.
Early Italian efforts to pound the islands into submission were supplemented by major German forces from January 1942 and in a few weeks the situation for the defenders reached a critical stage; in response, in March 1942 the first Spitfires were delivered to Malta.
Throughout the summer C.202s fought over Malta, escorting tiny formations of Cant Z.1007s, SM.79s and Ju 88s. The fighting subsided in August and September, but grew in strength with the arrival of more C.202s. In October the Regia Aeronautica could muster three Gruppi with a total of 74 C.202s. For ten days the Italians pressed a relentless attack before attrition brought the offensive to a halt. Throughout the bombing campaign the British were able to supply Malta with ever increasing numbers of Spitfires.

This title deals with this topic.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and Development - Technical Specifications - The Strategic Situation - The Combatants - Combat - Statistics and Analysis - Aftermath - Bibliography - Index.