Hasegawa 1/48 Macchi C. 202 Serie III Folgore
Italian Ace Giulio Reiner
by Jose Lucero
Technical Data:
Aircraft:
Macchi MC.202
Manufacturer: Aeronautica Macchi S.p.A.
Type:
Fighter
Year:
1941
Engine:
Daimler Benz DB 601A-1, 12-cylinder V, liquid-cooled, 1,175hp
Wingspan:
34 ft 8 1/2 in (10.57m)
Length:
29 ft 1 in (8.85 m)
Height:
9 ft 11 1/2 in (3.02 m)
Weight:
6,480 lb (2,937 kg) (Loaded)
Maximum Speed:
372 mph (600 km/h) at 18,050 ft (5,500 m)
Ceiling:
37,700 ft (11,500 m)
Range:
475 miles (765 km)
Armament:
2 x 12.7 mm SAFATs (0.5 in)
Crew: 1

Additional Images:
Click on the STORMO! Eagle to return to the Galllery
I decided to convert Hasegawa's kit into a Macchi C.202 Serie III. I used Murizio Di Terlizzi's Aviolibri on the Macchi C.202 as a guide for the conversion. First I removed the panels for the guns and the spent cartridge chute that are not to be used on this version. The elevators were modified to represent the early type used by this series. There are some other modifications to be made that the Aviolibri book points out. The wheel wells were detailed with various types of wires, including guitar strings.

For the cockpit I used the excellent FM Details set. I modified the dashboard slightly as the one provided in this set is made for the C.205. Lifecolor's Verde Anticorrosione was used to paint the cockpit. Details where enhanced with light wash. The seat was painted with
Alclad II Aluminum lacquer. An RCR harness was used instead of the belts provided in the FM set as they are wrong. The gun sight is nicely detailed and enhances the look of the finished cockpit. The armored windscreen provided in the kit was used. Construction of the model is very straight forward.
The model was painted to represent the C.202 MM.7823 flown by Giulio Reiner, CO of 73a Squadriglia, 9 Gruppo, 4 Stormo CT, Fuka, Egypt in August 1942. This aircraft presents the inverted tropical scheme, Verde Oliva Scuro background with Nocciola Chiaro blotches and Grigio Azzurro Chiaro undersides. The aircraft is featured on the conver on the amazing Wings of Italy book. It has a repaired panel in the radiator and a replaced leading edge panel on the left wing with a different scheme applied.  I used White Ensign Enamels which worked flawlessly with my Iwata HP-CS Eclipse Airbrush. The Nocciola Chiaro blotches were freehanded after the base Verde Oliva Oscuro was applied.

Decals came from the excellent
Sky Models sheet. Wheathering was done with an oil paint wash, dust colored pastels and pigments and streaking with the airbrush. Lifecolor Tensocrome Sand was used to apply a heavier dusting on the wheels and other places that in contact with the ground. Other nice details where the beed and ring gun sight provided in the FM set and the hollow resin exhausts from Ultracast.
September, 2008
STORMO! © 2008