Macchi C.202 Folgore 3° Stormo 18 Gruppo 85° Squadriglia 3S18G885SA 85-4
Unit: 85 Squadriglia, 18 Gruppo, 3 Stormo Caccia Terrestre
Serial: 85-4
The personal aircraft of Tenente Giuseppe Re 'Peppo'.
Camouflage: Gialo Mimetico 4 with spots of Verde Oliva Scuro 2. Re Giuseppe 'Peppo'

ics100-Gruppo-21

  

3 Stormo

18 Gruppo

  18 Gruppo CT Squadriglie 83, 85, 95 Stormo 3

18 Gruppo CT Squadriglie 83, 85, 95 Stormo 3
Arrival Base Country Aircraft Zone Duties
3 Jun 1940 Novi Ligure Italy CR42 SQA1 GA. AE. AR
19 Oct 1940 Monaco Monaco CR 42 CAI IT
Oct 1940 Darmstadt Germany CR 42 CAI IT
Oct 1940 Maldegem Belgium CR 42 CAI AE. AR
11 Jan 1941 Frankfurt Germany CR 42 CAI IT
Jan 1941 Pisa Italy CR42 SQA3 TG
25 Jan 1941 Sorman Tripolitan CR 42 SQA5 CE
30 Jan 1941 Mellaha Tripolitan CR 42 SQA5 CE
24 Feb 1941 Tarnet Tripolitan CR 42 SQA5 DF
5 Apr 1941 Benghasi K 2 Cirenaica CR 42 SQA5 DF
12 Aug 1941 Torino-Mirafiori Italy G50 SQA1 TG
Sep 1941 Trapani? Sicily G50 ASIC CE
15 May 1942 Mirafiori Italy MC 200 SQA1 TG
16 Jul 1942 Ciampino Sud Italy MC 200 SQA3 TG
18 Jul 1942 Pantelleria Pantelleria MC 200 ASIC IT
18 Jul 1942 Tripoli Tripolitan MC 200 SQA5 IT
23 Jul 1942 Abu Haggag Egypt MC 200 SQA5 AR. DF. AE, GA
Oct 1942 Abu Nimeir Egypt MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 TG
Oct 1942 Abu Smeit Egypt MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 TG
3 Nov 1942 Bir el Astas Egypt MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 DF. GA
6 Nov 1942 Bu Amud Cirenaica MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 DF. GA
10 Nov 1942 Benghasi Cirenaica MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 DF. GA
12 Nov 1942 En Nofiha Tripolitan MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 DF. GA
16 Nov 1942 Tauorga Tripolitan MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 DF. GA
15 Jan 1943 Castelbenito Tripolitan MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 DF. TG
19 Jan 1943 Medenine Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 ATUN DF.GA
22 Jan 1943 El Hamma Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 ATUN DF. GA
Feb 1943 Achichma Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 ATUN DF. GA
Feb 1943 El Hamma Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 DF.GA
Mar 1943 Gabes Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 SQA5 DF. GA
Apr 1943 Torino-Caselle Italy MC 202 SQA1 TG
11 Jun 1943 Ciampino Sud Italy MC 202 SQA3 DF
21 Jun 1943 Cerveteri Italy MC 202 MC.205V SA1 207 SQA3 DF, TG

The Gruppo carried out strafing attacks on bases in southern France and escorted bombers. 85 sq was detached to Villanova d’Albcnga in June. Two months later the pilots were ferrying 30 CR 42s to Castelbenito, via Pantelleria. returning in the Gruppo's Ca 133s. They had six of these on strength.

The unit temporarily transfered to 56 Stormo for operations over the English Channel. The first mission was on 29 October, escorting 43 Stormo to Ramsgate. On 11 November, on a similar mission, they fought a pitched battle with Hurricanes and Spitfires over Harwich. After this, they were restricted in offensive sorties, although sweeps were flown over the Channel, ceasing on 3 January. During this time pilots checked out the Me 109 E in a neighbourning German unit and may have asked to re-equip with that aircraft later. The Gruppo was known to the Germans as 18/JG56. After a brief rest in Italy they moved to Libya for the first half of 1941. followed by a spell of escort duty in Sicily. More CR 42s were received, from 23 Gruppo at Sorman, on 1 March to replace losses. The faithful old Ca 133s were still in attendance.

In February Sirte was used as a forward base, and 83 sq was detached to Tauorga. This squadriglia then moved to Hon (9 March). Mellaha (23 April), and Derna (May). Reforming on 15 May 1942. with 30 MC 200s. they moved to Ciampino where 21 aircraft were fitted with bombracks. They then flew to Libya. By July they were 60% operational and preparing for the Alamein battles. On the night of 12 August, seven pilots were killed on the ground by raiding Swordfish and Albacores - this was a great blow to the Gruppo. Further losses on the ground reduced their effectiveness, but in the retreat across Libya they managed to hinder the Allied advance with fighterbomber attacks under the escort of 23 Gruppo. Towards the end of October they received 4 Stormo’s old MC 202s in place of 13 MC 200s lost to bombing on the 21st. They were followed by more from 13 Gruppo on 31 December. 83 sq was detached to Castelbenito on 20 November.

During operations over southern Tunisia, further MC 202s were passed over by 4 Stormo. on 8 January 1943 at Castelbenito. 83 sq moved from there to Medeninc on the 20th. sharing with 70 sq of 23 Gruppo the role of last Italian air unit to leave Libya. By the end of March the unit withdrew to Italy, having no serviceable aircraft left.

Re-equipping at Caselie. they moved south for the defence of Rome. Six MC.205V Series Ills and three SA 1 207s arrived at the end of July and joined in the bomber intercepts. Brief detachments to Sicily ended with a mauling which caused a quick return to Cerveteri. They then successfully fought against the incoming B 17s and B 24s with their Macchis. By 7 September there were two MC.205Vs and nine MC 202s still operational.

 Flight Simulators
 

   IL-2 Sturmovik 'Cliff's of Dover' Blitz

   IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad

   DCS World - has no 3D model

 



Regia Aeronautica Aces (World War II)
Ace No of Kills
Teresio Vittorio Martinoli22 kills
Franco Lucchini22 kills (1 in Spain)
Leonardo Ferrulli21 kills (1 in Spain)
Franco Bordoni-Bisleri19 kills
Luigi Gorrini19 kills
Mario Visintini17 kills
Ugo Drago17 kills
Mario Bellagambi14 kills
Luigi Baron14 kills
Luigi Gianella12 kills
Attilio Sanson12 kills
Willy Malagola11 Kills
Carlo Magnaghi11 kills
Angelo Mastroagostino11 kills
Giorgio Solaroli di Briona11 kills
Mario Veronesi11 kills
Fernando Malvezzi10 kills
Giulio Reiner10 kills
Giuseppe Robetto10 kills
Carlo Maurizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa10 kills
Massimo Salvatore10 kills
Claudio Solaro10 kills
Ennio Tarantola10 kills
Giulio Torresi10 kills
Adriano Visconti10 kills

 

 Italy Map

 

    Macchi C.202 Folgore Bibliography:

  • Angelucci, Enzo and Paolo Matricardi. World Aircraft: World War II, Volume I (Sampson Low Guides). Maidenhead, UK: Sampson Low, 1978. ISBN 978-0-528-88170-1.
  • Bergström, Christer. Stalingrad—The Air Battle: 1942 through January 1943. Hinckley, UK: Midland, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-276-4.
  • Beurling, George and Leslie Roberts. Malta Spitfire: The Story of a Fighter pilot. New York/Toronto: Farrar & Rinehart Inc., 1943. NO ISBN.
  • Borgiotti, Alberto and Cesare Gori. Le Macchine e la Storia, Profili 1: Macchi MC 202 Folgore (in Italian). Modena, Italy: STEM-Mucchi, 1970. No ISBN.
  • Caruana, Richard J. Victory in the Air. Malta: Modelaid International Publications, 1996. ISBN 1-871767-12-1.
  • Cattaneo, Gianni. "The Macchi C.202." Aircraft in Profile no.28. Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications, 1971.
  • Ciampaglia, Giuseppe. "La Produzione Aeronautica nella II GM." (in Italian)." RID, May 1994.
  • De Marchi, Italo and Pietro Tonizzo. Macchi MC. 200 / FIAT CR. 32 (in Italian). Modena, Italy: Edizioni Stem Mucchi 1994. NO ISBN.
  • Duma, Antonio. Quelli del Cavallino Rampante – Storia del 4° Stormo Caccia Francesco Baracca (in Italian). Roma: Aeronautica Militare – Ufficio Storico, 2007. NO ISBN.
  • Dunning, Chris. Solo coraggio! La storia completa della Regia Aeronautica dal 1940 al 1943 (in Italian). Parma, Italy: Delta Editrice, 2000. No ISBN.
  • Ethell, Jeffrey L. Aircraft of World War II. Glasgow: HarperCollins/Jane’s, 1995. ISBN 0-00-470849-0.
  • Ethell, Jeffrey L. and Joe Christy. P-40 Hawks at War. Shepperton, UK: Ian Allan Ltd, 1979. ISBN 0-7110-0983-X.
  • Gentilli, Roberto and Luigi Gorena. Macchi C.202 In Action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1980. ISBN 0-89747-100-8.
  • Ghergo, Federico. "La Caccia Italiana 1940–43" (in Italian). Storia Militare, February 2006.
  • Glancey, Jonathan. Spitfire: The Illustrated Biography. London: Atlantic Books, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84354-528-6.
  • Green, William. "The Macchi-Castoldi Series". Famous Fighters of the Second World War, vol.2. London: Macdonald, 1962. No ISBN.
  • Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Great Book of Fighters. St. Paul, Minnesota: MBI Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-7603-1194-3.
  • Jackson, Robert. The Forgotten Aces. London: Sphere Books Ltd, 1989. ISBN 0-7474-0310-4.
  • Malizia, Nicola. Aermacchi Bagliori di Guerra – Flashes of War (Macchi MC.200- MC.202 – MC.205/V) (in Italian). Rome: Ibn Editore, 2002. ISBN 88-7565-030-6.
  • Malizia, Nicola. "L'armamento Dei Velivoli Della Regia Aereonautica" (in Italian). Storia Militare, Sebtembre 1997.
  • Marcon, Tullio. "Hawker in Mediterraneo (in Italian)." Storia Militare N.80.
  • Massiniello, Giorgio. "Lo Sviluppo del (Macchi) Veltro (in Italian)." Storia Militare, N.150.
  • Massiniello, Giorgio. "Via da Korba, con ogni mezzo" (in Italian). Storia Militare 1996 (31). Parma, Italy: Ermanno Albertelli Ed.
  • Mattioli, Mario. "L'esordio del Macchi C 202" (in Italian). Storia Militare, 1996. Parma, Italy: Ermanno Albertelli Ed.
  • Matricardi, Paolo. Aerei Militari: Caccia e Ricognitori (in Italian). Milan, Italy: Mondadori Electa Editore, 2006.
  • Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II. London: Bounty Books, 2006. ISBN 0-7537-1460-4.
  • Neulen, Hans Werner. In the Skies of Europe. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-799-1.
  • Nijboer, Donald: "Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore – Malta 1942 (Osprey Duel ; 60)". Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2014. ISBN 978-1-78200-356-4
  • Nolan, Brian. Hero: The Buzz Beurling Story. London: Penguin Books, 1981. ISBN 0-14-006-266-1.
  • Palermo, Michele (2014). Eagles over Gazala: Air Battles in North Africa, May–June 1942. Roma: IBN Editore. ISBN 88-7565-168-X.
  • Pesce, Giuseppe and Giovanni Massimello. Adriano Visconti Asso di Guerra (in Italian). Parma, Italy: Albertelli Edizioni speciali s.r.l., 1997.
  • Rogers, Anthony: Battle over Malta: Aircraft Losses & Crash Sites 1940–42 London: Sutton Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0-7509-2392-X.
  • Savic, Dragan and Boris Ciglic. Croatian Aces of World War II (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces-49). Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-435-3.
  • Sgarlato, Nico. "Macchi Folgore" (in Italian). Aerei Nella Storia 1998 (8): 8–20. Parma, Italy: West-Ward sas.
  • Sgarlato, Nico. "Macchi Folgore" (in Italian). Publisher unknown, 2008.
  • Sgarlato Nico. "Reggiane fighters (Delta Editions)" (in Italian). Monography N.17, July 2005.
  • Shores, Christopher, Brian Cull and Nicola Malizia. Malta: The Hurricane Years (1940–1941). London: Grub Street, 1987. ISBN 0-948817-06-2.
  • Shores, Christopher, Brian Cull and Nicola Malizia. Malta: The Spitfire Year (1942). London: Grub Street, 1991. ISBN 0-948817-16-X.
  • Skulski, Przemysław. Macchi C.202 Folgore(in English). Petersfield, Hampshire: Mushroom Model Publications, 2012. ISBN 978-83-614-21-66-5.
  • Skulski, Przemysław. Macchi C.202 Folgore, seria "Pod Lupa" 7(in Polish). Wrocław, Poland: Ace Publications, 1997. ISBN 83-86153-55-5.
  • Skulski, Przemysław. Macchi C.202 Folgore(in Polish). Sandomierz, Poland/Redbourn, UK: Stratus/Mushroom Model Publications, 2005. ISBN 83-89450-06-2.
  • Skulski, Przemysław. Macchi C.202 FOLGORE. MMPBOOKS, 2012. ISBN 978-83-61421-66-5.
  • Snedden, Robert. World War II Combat Aircraft. Bristol, UK: Parragon, 1997. ISBN 0-7525-1684-1.
  • Spick, Mike. Allied Fighter Aces of World War II. London: Greenhill Books, 1997. ISBN 1-85367-282-3.
  • Williams, Anthony G. and Dr. Emmanuel Gustin. Flying Guns: World War II – Development of Aircraft Guns, Ammunition and Istallations 1933–1945. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press, 2003. ISBN 978-1-84037-227-4.
  • Winchester, Jim. "Macchi M.C.202 and M.C.205V." Aircraft of World War II: The Aviation Factfile. Kent, UK: Grange Books plc, 2004. ISBN 1-84013-639-1.

    Magazine References: +

  • Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
  • Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
  • FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
  • Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
  • Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
  • Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
  • Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
  • Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macchi_C.202_Folgore

 

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