MACCHI MC 202 BLITZ
Obviously showed the inferiority of the old radial-engined fighters, the Italy obtained the production permission of the powerful engine DB 601.
Whith this new engine the Engineer CASTOLDI of MACCHI re-projected the MC 200, changing it the MC 202.
The increased power and the aerodynamic cleanliness made the MC 202one of the beautiful italian planes; very strong and handling it was, from the 1941, the backbone of only 12,7 mm machine -gun, it was however a fierce waarrior on every battlefield, from Russia to the North Africa.
Some planes were captured and tested by the Allied; one of them, beatifully restored, is exposed in the SMITHSONIAN AEROSPACE MUSEUM in Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Both during and after the war, many MC 205 were transformed in the following, and more powerful, version MC 205 who remained in service many years with the Fighter Schools.
After the Italian surrender of the September 1943, many of the still operative MC 202 were requisitioned by the LUFTWAFFE. However outclassed, especially for his light armament, the plane have still impressive performances, and it was decided to use the MC 202 for the Fighter Schools.
The dfferent outfits, and the lack of the spare part, forced the LUFTWAFFE to drop out the project after few months.
After the birth of the AERONAUTICA NAZIONALE REPUBBLICANA in the Northern Italy, surviving MC 202 were returned, but no one of them really returned in Italy.
Drie uitvoering mogelijk;
- Italian Air Force - 396a Sq., 154 Gruppo (Rhodos 1943).
- German Luftwaffe - III Gr Caccia Luftwaffe (Milano Bresso 1944).
Aantal onderdelen; 120+
