Macchi C.202 Folgore

Country of Origin: it Italy | Type: Single seat fighter

Introduction

Essentially a re-engined MC.200, the C.202 Folgore (Thunderbolt) combined the earlier fighter's airframe (albeit with slightly modified fuselage) with an Alfa Romeo built Daimler-Benz DB 601A inverted V12 engine. The result was a generally happy one, producing an aircraft 60mph (96km/h) faster than before with a very high rate of climb and little degredation of handling qualities. Unlike its predecessor, the Folgore had a fully enclosed cockpit, pilot prejudices having been largely overcome.

Imported Engine

The prototype - with imported engine from Germany - first flew on 10th August 1940. Production got underway with the help of 400 imported DB 601As but short supplies of the Alfa Romeo version (called Monsone - Monsoon) necessitated that the MC.200 and C.202 were built side by side.

Entering Service

The Folgore entered service with the Regia Aeronautica in July 1941 and, like the MC.200, remained in poduction until 1944. It was built in several series incorporating ongoing improvements including the later incorporation of two machine guns in the wings and in one batch, 20mm cannon under them. The C.202B was a fighter-bomber version with provision for underwing bombs or fuel tanks, while the C.202AS was the tropicalised version.

Superior Fighter

In service the Folgore immediately proved superior to the Hawker Hurricane and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk in air-to-air combat but was slightly inferior to the best Allied fighters. It served in North Africa, the Balkans, the Western Desert, the Russian Front, Sicily and the Mediterranean generally. It was a vital component of the fight against the Allies as they began their invasion of Italy but the combination of combat losses, relatively low production rates and serviceability problems meant that the numbers available were far less than required. The Folgore equipped 19 groups at one stage but this number was halved at the time of Italy's capitulation in September 1943. A small number served with both of Italy's air forces after that.

Specification

Dimensions

Powerplant

Weights

Armament

Performance

Production

Production of the aircraft totalled 1,200, built by:

Operators

Three-view Schematic

To view the schematic, click on the image below:

Specification view of a C.202