After reading their more recent book on the MC.200, I was really looking forward to this one from the growing Mushroom Models Publications library. There is something about the Folgore that just says fast. It is without a doubt, one of the finest looking aircraft of WWII and fortunately for us, it was photographed quite a bit.

A development of the Macchi C.200, it had a slimmer fuselage to take advantage of the DB.601 engine. Like the Saeta, it was under-armed with just a pair of 12.5mm guns in the nose. Attempts at adding additional guns in the wings, even the smaller 7.7mm versions, added too much weight and degraded performance to a level where those planes built with the wing guns often had them removed in service.

This need for additional performance to carry more weapons led to what many consider to be the best Italian fighter of the war, the C.205 Veltro. But this is not about that later version, but about the Folgore.

First seeing combat in 1941 in the skies over Malta and North Africa, the Folgore easily outclassed the fighters it met; the Hurricane and the Tomahawk. It was not until the British started fielding Kittyhawks and Spitfires that the Folgore had less of an easy time of things. Yet it continued to be built right up until the Armistice in September 1943 and those on assembly lines were completed by the Fascists in the north of Italy. Even those left in the south were soon formed into a unit that fought on the side of the Allies. Those in German hands were frequently used as fighter trainers.

As with all books in this series, in addition to a strong history section, there are sections that show the inside story of the aircraft. Thankfully, there are two fully restored airframes; one in the US at the Smithsonian and the other in Italy at the Italian AF museum. There is also a third in Italy, but that one is not used as reference in this book. Having those extant airframes means a raft of well taken color images of various parts of the aircraft. Not only that, but there are a copious number of images and illustrations taken from surviving technical manuals so you definitely get a good look at this one.

One major bonus to this book is a lot of period color images. Apparently the Italians took advantage of the then-new color film and we are able to see these planes as they really were. In addition to all the technical information, you will find the usual bevy of color profiles, appropriately sprinkled through the book in the appropriate areas. A full series of plans in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale round out another superb package. I should also point out that each of the different production series is covered in the history section and information provided on the differences between them.

Like other MMP books, this one is all any modeler or aircraft enthusiast needs on the type. Another outstanding edition and one I give my highest recommendation.

October 2012

Review book courtesy of MMP Books, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. The book is also available through Casemate Publishing in the US, Orca in Europe, and Platypus Publications in Australia.

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