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Regia Aeronautica · DB 601 Fighter · North Africa · Sicily · Mediterranean

Macchi C.202 Folgore

C.202 Serie III / VII / XI · Regia Aeronautica and captured/reference routes · 1941–1944
Regia Aeronautica route with Stormo, Gruppo and Mediterranean theatre context

The Macchi C.202 Folgore was Italy’s elegant DB 601-powered fighter and one of the most capable Regia Aeronautica aircraft in the Mediterranean. It fought over North Africa, Malta, Sicily and the Italian mainland, usually with beautiful but demanding Italian sand/green/brown smoke-ring or mottle camouflage. For modellers it means slim Macchi lines, underwing radiators, Breda-SAFAT guns, desert dust, sun fading, oil streaking, theatre bands, white fuselage bands and careful Regia Aeronautica markings.

1
Pilot
DB 601
Inline engine
C.202
Folgore
RA
Regia route

What paints do I need?

Generate a practical starter paint list for this Macchi C.202 Folgore build, with common brand equivalents.

Scheme basis: Regia Aeronautica. Treat these as modelling equivalents rather than laboratory-perfect matches; always check your chosen aircraft, theatre and date.
ColourUseTamiyaVallejoAKMr Hobby
Giallo MimeticoItalian sand/yellow camouflage baseXF-59 mix71.028 / 71.031 mixAK RC291 style mixH71 mix
Verde MimeticoGreen mottle/smoke-ring camouflageXF-58 / XF-6771.012 / 71.022AK Real Colors Italian greenH303 mix
Marrone MimeticoBrown camouflage mottlingXF-64 / XF-5271.041 / 71.029AK Real Colors Italian brownH37 mix
Grigio Azzurro ChiaroUnderside grey-blueXF-19 / XF-23 mix71.046 mixAK Real Colors Italian greyH338 mix
Interior green/greyCockpit and internal areasXF-71 / XF-22 mix71.126 / 71.044AK interior green/greyH312 mix
White theatre bandsFuselage bands and ID markingsXF-271.001AK RC004H1
Exhaust/rubber/weatheringMediterranean dust, exhaust, tyres and oilXF-1/XF-64/XF-85Black/Brown/RubberAK weathering coloursH12/H47

C.202 operations · 1941–1944

The Macchi C.202 Folgore gave Italian fighter units a modern, fast and elegant aircraft that could compete with Allied fighters in the Mediterranean. It served heavily over North Africa, Malta, Sicily and Italy, with some captured and co-belligerent routes later. A good C.202 build starts with the theatre and unit: desert Folgore, Malta/Sicily route, mainland defence route, Croatian/captured route or museum/reference subject.

1Pilot
DB 601Monsone
C.202Folgore
RARegia Aeronautica
Macchi C.202 Folgore real reference
Real C.202 photo route: check series, tropical filter, radiators, unit markings, smoke-ring or mottle camouflage, theatre bands and weathering before paint.

Role & strengths

  • Italian DB 601-powered fighter with excellent handling and Mediterranean service
  • North Africa, Malta, Sicily, Italian mainland, Croatian/captured and reference routes
  • Slim Macchi fuselage, underwing radiators, sand filter options, Breda-SAFAT armament and white theatre bands
  • Italian smoke-ring/mottle camouflage, sand/green/brown schemes, grey undersides and Regia markings
  • Sun fading, desert dust, oil streaks, exhaust staining, wing-root wear and restrained chipping

Key theatres

  • North Africa desert fighter route
  • Malta and Sicily Mediterranean routes
  • Italian mainland defence route
  • Croatian/captured and survivor-reference routes

Specification C.202

Crew1Length29 ft 6 inWingspan34 ft 8 inMax speedc.372 mphPowerplant1× Alfa Romeo RA.1000 / DB 601 inlineArmamentBreda-SAFAT machine guns, with later wing-gun options by series

Survivor/reference today

Macchi C.202 Folgore survivor/reference image

C.202 references rely on survivors, restorations and period photos. Use them for the Macchi shape, cockpit, radiators and gear, but verify camouflage and unit markings separately.

View references

Timeline highlights

Build this C.202 as…

Pick theatre and series first. Desert, Malta/Sicily, mainland, captured/Croatian and survivor routes all need different markings and weathering.

Aircraft identity

ITItaly
C202Folgore
601DB engine
RARegia
DESDesert
WBWhite band
Camouflage warning

Smoke-ring and Italian mottle schemes are aircraft-specific. Practise the pattern before painting the model.

Series warning

C.202 series differ in filters, equipment and armament details. Match the kit, theatre and markings before committing.

Paint scheme cards

DesertSand with green smoke-rings

North Africa route with dust, sun fading and white theatre bands.

MediterraneanGreen/brown/sand mottle

Malta/Sicily route with Italian mottle and grey undersides.

MainlandGreen/grey late route

Italian mainland or later route with different wear and marking checks.

CombatDust, oil and exhaust

Weather radiators, wing roots, tyres, exhausts and belly grime logically.

Campaign cards

North Africa

Classic Folgore route with sand/green camouflage, dust and sun fading.

Malta / Sicily

Mediterranean route with smoke-ring/mottle camouflage and theatre markings.

Italian mainland

Later defence route with different surface wear and unit markings.

Captured / Croatian

Operator-specific route with non-standard markings and repaint checks.

Build difficulty and related guides

Overall difficulty

Medium-high. The airframe is elegant, but camouflage is demanding.

Camouflage difficulty

High. Smoke-ring and Italian mottle patterns need control and patience.

Weathering difficulty

Medium-high. Desert fading and dust should not bury the markings.

Paint codesItalian sand, green, brown, grey undersides and theatre bandsTechniqueSmoke-ring camouflage, desert dust, radiators and inline-engine exhaustArticleMacchi C.202 kits, Regia markings and weathering guide

Macchi C.202 Folgore units and operators

Sortable C.202 cards covering North Africa, Malta/Sicily, Italian mainland, captured/Croatian and survivor/reference routes.

Route:Sort:

C.202 Folgore operating map

Variant selector

Airfield info

Click a marker to show linked C.202 unit cards and modelling notes.

Campaign timeline

Survivors

Books and reference sources

C.202 Folgore build guide

Kit choice wizard

C.202 Folgore videos, photos and archive material

Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.