Il Macchi MC202 Lightning It was one of the most important and best fighters of the Regia Aeronautica in the Second World War. The main users of the aircraft were – in addition to the Regia Aeronautica – the Luftwaffe and the Air Force of the independent state of Croatia.
The first prototype took flight for the first time on August 10, 1940 and the results were considered excellent. In fact, the aircraft was able to exceed 600 km/h and surprised the engineers of the period for its remarkable climbing speed. Furthermore, the maximum horizontal speed was at that time among the highest achievable by fighters.
"The Folgore, in a dive, could reach 850 km/h and therefore climb without damage. From an aeronautical point of view, by the admission of their opponents, they had nothing to envy the famous British Spitfires"1 (see article Royal Air Force fighters: the Supermarine Spitfire). The fighters were easy to handle and had no particular technical defects. However, the aircraft's weak points were its poor armament.
The aircraft – produced by Aermacchi – entered active service with the Regia Aeronautica in the summer of 1941 and a total of more than 1000 units were built.
The aircraft was used during the war, practically, on all fronts and distinguished itself. In this regard, it is worth remembering that in Sicily the thunderbolt inflicted serious damage on the Allies.
After September 8, 1943, there were few left thunderbolt still active. Furthermore, some examples - after the armistice - were used by the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana.
The Italian Air Force withdrew the thunderbolt definitively in 1951.
Il thunderbolt (C.202CB Series IV-VIII) had a wingspan of 10,58 m, height 3,49 m and length 8,85 m. The empty weight was 2491 kg, while with a full load at take-off 2930 kg.
Engine: 1 Alfa Romeo RA.1000 RC41Monsoni V-12, power 1159 HP.
The maximum speed was 600 km/h at 5600 m and the service ceiling was 11500 m.
The armament consisted of 12,7 mm and 7,7 mm Breda - SAFAT machine guns.
In addition, the aircraft could carry up to 200 kg of bombs.
1 See G. Bonacina, The Lightning, in Illustrated History n°129, 1968, p.74
