Mushroom Model Magazine

Macchi C.202 Folgore "Lightning"

Orange Series book written by Przemysław Skulski

Product # 8102    ISBN # 8389450062    Price  £ 9.99  (GBP)   

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Apr 20 2006

 

 

 

This 96 page softcover book from Mushroom Model Magazine is specifically devoted to the Macchi C.202 Folgore with a keen focus on history, walkaround details and side view paint scheme profiles.  The cover is the usual softcover and the pages are high quality glossy pages. 

I've always had a soft spot for the Macchi C.202 Folgore "Lightning", no doubt due to it's use of the DB601 motor from the Bf-109.  This motor and the agile Italian airframe made this a particularly effective fighter and one of the best Italian fighters of WW2.  Although this aircraft served with distinction in many areas from Malta, North Africa and even in Russia, the limited production numbers due to the lack of engines limited it during the war.  

It was also lightly armed compared to other fighters of the period, which was also not one of it's positive attributes.  It did fair well against earlier allied fighters but had a harder time with the later war Allied fighters.  

This book is well organized and covers the evolution of the development and combat use of the Macchi C.202 Folgore.  The book then goes on to technical data which always is of strong interest to my due to my fascination with everything mechanical.  Next the book moves onto the 39 page walkaround section and finally finishes up with 24 pages of colour profiles.....who knew there was so many paint schemes.  There are also 1/72 scale plans included.

As for images you get:

  • 49 black and white photos, 
  • 100 colour photos, 
  • 11 line drawings, 
  • 18 black and white 3D drawings (including wing and rudder ribbing, guns and more) 
  • 44 sideview colour profiles and 
  • 4 views of the top or bottom of these profiles.  

The photos and images are clearly printed on glossy paper with good light and easy to make out details in the photos.

Modellers are always looking for books that include side view profiles, technical data that explains the different production series of this aircraft as well as detail walkaround photos covering the general aircraft, prop, fuselage, wing, canopy, tail and undercarriage.  This book covers this aircraft well and has most of the details modellers need to get the details correct, although sadly there are only black & white cockpit photos and gun bay and engine photos are restricted to black and white drawings, which is no doubt due to the lack of access to the few remaining museum aircraft.  I was impressed with the extensive walkaround photos of the rest of the aircraft.

1/72 scale line drawings historic photos photos of museum aircraft

 

colour walkaround photos more detail photos landing gear photos

 

.................and so much more....including......

44 Colour Profiles

I've always had a weak spot for aircraft in desert camo, so the Macchi C.202 Folgore "Lightning" has always been a fascination for me.  I am quite pleased to add this book to my library.....it will prove to be a very helpful book when I tackle a Macchi C.202 Folgore "Lightning" model.  Special thanks to the folks at Mushroom Model Magazine for the review sample and bringing this book to my attention.  You can purchase this book through their secure online webstore at Mushroom Model Magazine or at book stores or in North America through Squadron.com or Platypus Publications in Australia.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford