Hasegawa 1/72 M.C. 202 'Folgore'

Ask any number of WWII aircraft enthusiasts to name a cool Italian fighter from that period, and most would respond with the Macchi 202. Mating an Italian airframe with a German DB.601 engine (as used in the Bf-109F), the MC.202 was finally able to take advantage of the superb aerodynamics and handling provided by Italian designers.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the Italian aviation industry at the time was the inability to provide engines of the kind of power that those in Germany, Britain and the US were able to produce. It wasn't until being able to get German-designed engines that the Italian pilot was able to have an aircraft that gave him a fighting chance against modern Allied designs.

What wasn't fixed until late in the Italian war was the pathetic offensive armament. Often these superb planes were hampered with rifle calibre machine guns. When fired against an Allied aircraft, these bullets often failed to do any appreciable damage. The hapless Italian pilot could only hope for a lucky hit to bring down a Hurrican, P-40 or P-38. Later in the war, cannon were installed that helped to even the field somewhat, but by then it was a bit late for them to do any real harm.

This 1992 boxing is the original release. Typical of Hasegawa, it has been reissued several time since then, generally with different decals. There are no options and while it does have a separate canopy and windscreen, the clear is fairly thick. Besides, there is little to see in the fairly basic cockpit. Typical of Hasegawa 1/72 kits of the day there is no cockpit sidewall detail and the rest of the interior is equally sparse. A decal is provided for the instrument panel and it works well in this scale. The external detailing and overall shape of the kit is excellent. This one surpasses the Supermodel kit of the early 1970s.

Hasegawa's MC202 is a series 2 aircraft, one of the more widely built versions. Two different markings schemes are given, both with the same basic camouflage scheme. The decals themselves are well done though 'old style' where the whites are off white and the decals themselves somewhat thick. They will require hot water to remove from the backing. Aftermarket options are available if you wish them.