The Macchi MC202 ‘Folgore’ is possibly the best known of all WWII Regia Aeronautica fighters. It was developed from the earlier radial engined MC 200 ‘Saetta’ and was fitted with a license-built Daimler-Benz 601 engine. The MC 202 and later the MC 205 ‘Veltro’, proved that the Italians could design ‘state of the art’ fighters, but they were too heavily outnumbered by the Allies to have any real chance of success.
This is a simple kit consisting of only about 46 parts in total. There is the usual very comprehensive instruction leaflet, with full-page paint and decal guides for each of three marking option. Close examination of the sprues reveals good detail in the form of finely recessed panel lines which is supplemented with appropriate raised rivet detail on the wings, which is so fine that it gives the illusion of being countersunk until you actually touch it.
Inside the cockpit, there is a modest amount of detail including; floor and sidewalls which have ejector pin and sink marks in some awkward places. The instrument panel of the aircraft had an unusual central panel which is partially separated from the rest of the instruments, which Italeri have reproduced along with two separate instrument decals. Also included are reasonably detailed seat, control stick and upper rear bulkhead. Separate windscreen and main canopy parts are provided. The interior was finished in White Ensign Grigio Mimetico (grey) except for the seat, which is black.
The build was fairly simple throughout despite various fit issues, especially the wing to fuselage joint, which were rectified in the tried and trusted way – fill, sand and re-scribe! The instructions were a little vague in places and gave no indication of the use of the various alternative parts supplied (two slightly different pairs of tail planes are supplied, I have no idea which I was supposed to use!) So I was left to work it out for myself - or alternatively not to worry about, which was my preferred option!
The kit took only a few hours to construct and after the appropriate surface preparation and masking of the cockpit, a coat of Halfords grey primer sprayed on. This showed little in the way of any of the seams requiring further attention so was quickly followed by a coat of Halfords white primer around the rear fuselage. This was masked off for the white band and a coat Grigio Mimetico for the under surface airbrushed on. Following masking of the underside, Xtracolor RLM 79 Sandbraun (near enough for me) was applied on the upper surfaces. I experimented airbrushing the ‘smoke ring’ camouflage, which proved a surprisingly easy task as I got it right first time. It didn’t last of course and when the time came to apply it for real, I couldn’t repeat the achievement and made real mess!
After partial stripping, I reapplied the sand and sent off for a set of Mike Grant Smoke Ring decals from Aeroclub. These took rather a long time to arrive; I had actually forgotten I had ordered them and the MC 202 had long since been put away in a draw when the postman dropped them through the letterbox. Work commenced again and I have to say that they were among the best decals I have ever worked with. They reacted extremely well to Microsol and settled onto the surface detail without any problems whatsoever. The only thing I would do differently would be to use Klear on each decaled area when dry, as the decals are prone to wearing when handled. Due to the sheer number of decals to be applied, the job did become a little tedious, requiring several evenings to complete. Next, the marking from the kit were applied and these, as I had expected with Italeri decals, also went on beautifully.
When all the decals were dry, I cleaned any residue with a damp sponge. Next, I airbrushed a coat of matt varnish before applying a wash of burnt umber water colour for the panel lines and some black pastel dust for exhaust stains and gun smoke residue, followed by another couple of thin coats of matt varnish to seal it all. The canopy was polished, cleaned with isopropyl, dipped in Klear and attached when dry. The wind screen didn’t fit at all well and required copious amounts of PVA glue to fill the gaps. The canopy framing was replicated with some pre-painted clear decal film, which I had prepared earlier in best Blue Peter fashion! Lastly, all the delicate items and sub assemblies were attached; undercarriage, aerials, pitot etc.: the Macchi MC202 was finished.
The Italeri version of the ‘Folgore’ in 1/72nd scale is perhaps not the best detailed or best fitting of kits; it is more often the older Hasegawa offering that is displayed on club tables or on the internet. HOWEVER, this kit is much cheaper and is to me at least, a very acceptable alternative which, with some work, can result in a beautiful little replica of one of the Regia Aeronautica’s finest aircraft.
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