Stormo Decals 1/48 Air War Over Malta Macchi MC.202s
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Overview
The Italians during the Second World War fielded some interesting aircraft types in some interesting camouflages. This decal sheet narrows that field down to a specific aircraft (the Macchi C.202) during a specific event (the Battle of Malta) and specific pilots (Italian Aces). Even with those restrictions, this sheet manages to pack in eight options.
The Decals
Let's get the basics out of the way first. The decals are printed by Cartograf, which means thin decals with excellent color density and superb registration. There are enough general markings to cover four to six aircraft (six when you count tail and fuselage markings; four when it comes to wing roundels). For eight options, this is not bad, as the kit is going to have these universal markings anyway.
Jumping into the specific schemes, each option comes with lots of additional information. The basics are covered, identifying the camouflage pattern (smoke rings, poached eggs, hearts, and snakes all make an appearance here) and colors. In addition to this basic color scheme information, the instructions also identify the variations of the specific aircraft, such as what series it is, where it was built, or what propeller it had. Then on top of that, the text provides the background of the pilot himself, what unit he was with, and some background on its action over Malta.
The specific aircraft covered include:
- C.202 Serie II MM.7712 flown by Jacopo Frigerio, 97a Sq., 9o Gr., 4o Stormo, Comiso, 30 Sept. 1941. 5 individual victories, 1 probable, and 4 shared. Poached egg camouflage scheme: Bruno Mimetico, Giallo Mimetico 4 over Verde Mimetico 2. Undersides Grigio Mimetico with Giallo Chromo 7 nose.
- C.202 Serie VII MM.9042 flown by Furio Niclot Doglio, CO 151a Sq., 20o Gr., 51o Stormo, Gela, 27 July 1942. 7 individual victories, 4 probable, and 2 shared. Smoke ring camouflage schem: Verde Oliva Scuro 2 smoke rings over Nocciola Chiaro 4. Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 undersides.
- C.202 Serie VII MM.9066 flown by Ennio Tarantola, 151a Sq., 20o Gr., 51o Stormo, Gela, Sept. 1942. 11 individual victories, 1 probable and 4 shared. Tarantola's personal marking "Dai Banana!" appeared only on the starboard side of the aircraft. Smoke ring camouflage scheme: Verde Oliva Scuro 2 smoke rings over Nocciola Chiaro 4. Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 undersides.
- C.202 Serie III MM.7798 flown by Serg. Amieto Montenumici, 90a Sq., 10o Gr., 4o Stormo, Gela, May 1942. 5 individual victories. Heart shaped mottles of Verda Oliva Scuro 2 over Nocciola Chiaro 4. Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 undersides.
- C.202 Serie III MM.7837 flown by Feruccio Serafini 378a Sq., 155o Gr., 51o Stormo, Gela, July 1942. 7 individual victories. Nocciola Chiaro 4 mottles over Verde Oliva Scuro 2. Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 undersides.
- C.202 Serie VII MM.9065 flown by Duilio Fanali, CO of 155o Gruppo, 51o Stormo, Gela, Oct. 1942. 4 individual victories, 32 shared destroyed, 2 shared probable. Smoke ring camouflage scheme: Verde Oliva Scuro 2 smoke rings over Nocciola Chiaro 4. Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 undersides.
- C.202 Serie I MM.7944 flown by Adriano Visconti, 86a Sq., 7o Gr., 54o Stormo, Pantelleria, June 1942. 10 individual victories and 4 shared destroyed. Snake-like blotches of Verde Oliva Scuro 2 over Nocciola Chiaro 4 with Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 undersides.
- C.202 Serie VI MM.8339 flown by Capitano Carlo Miani, CO of 360a Sq., 155o Gr., 51o Stormo, Gela, August 1942. 7 individual victories. Slightly branched out mottle scheme, compared to the snake-like blotches of Serie I. Verde Oliva Scuro 2 over Nocciola Chiaro 4 with Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 undersides.
As noted, these descriptions are considerably reduced from what the instructions provide, and that extra information just adds to the value of this decal sheet.
Conclusion
For those looking for some interesting markings for their 1/48 Macchi C.202, this is a great sheet to pick up. With each aircraft having such an in-depth history, it will be hard to choose just one to build. My thanks to Stormo Decals for the review copy. Visit their website for all sorts of useful information on Italian aircraft during the Second World War.