In my younger years , late ‘80s of the last century, I had build a 1/48 scale Tauro Models Macchi C.202 Folgore. I still have the kit and everytime I looked at it the urge comes to me to build one in 1/32 scale. I only found PCM kits across the ocean and with postalcost it would become a bit expensive, not that I couldn’t afford it but for some kits I’m not willing to pay that amount of money………( but if it was a WW2 Japanese plane it would have been a total different story! )
So my only choice was the 21st Century kit, which is OOP!!! And therefor hard to find. I’ve read that the 21st Veltro was almost the same kit. So I went looking for one and bought one on Ebay for €16,- with postalcost! Also bought a decalset for the roundels on the wing.
I saw on the web that there were a few Macchi “patched up” with wings and parts from different aircraft, and therefor having two different camo’s. ( see pics) So I wanted to do such a scheme.
I know my plane not “historical correct” but I wanted to build a Folgore with two different camo’s.
the kit;
The wheels were too small and were enlarged using Evergreen and putty, the dents under the nose were filled and a scratchbuild Folgore cooler added, wheelbays were filled with “hoses and wires”, scratchbuild geardoors were added.
Finished;
the white wing tips have different sizes, being a “donor” wing, (hard to see) one wing has been weathered more than the other.
I wish I had snagged one when I bought 2 Corsairs and a Zero. 21st Century had real potential to break away from the “toy-like” stigma with this series of kits. Too bad they went belly up.
Another great model of your splastic surgeon, I like how you put that insignia as a placemat for your plane, like you did on that Raiden of yours with that Rising Sun!
I would really like to see your collection of models, because I think as a big fan of Jap aircraft that I would love it.
@ Ninetalis, I was thinking about my own site for my models (and kits that I’ve build! [:D] ) or putting them on Facebook. I’ll let you know when it happens…
Well done, The camo pattern varied by the company making the aircraft. The smoke rings was the signature camo of Macchi, while the donor wing is I believe came from a Breda built aircraft. With the Breda built aircraft, one of the green splotches on the fuselage by the cockpit would be in a heart shape, their signature. I’m thinking that ansaldo was the 3rd producer of the C.202’s.
I’ve built their M.C. 205V, it went together well, but there was problems with the kit design. they use the same fuselage for both the C.202 and the C.205 kits. Essentially, they are about the same bird, but there are differences. The C.205V had a retractable tail wheel, and the C.202 didn’t. The tail wheel area is identical in both kits. There were C.205’s with a ixed tail wheel, but they were post war aircraft that Macchi built for the export trade from surplus C.202’s. Egypt for one used these as well as a few true C.205’s.
What color did you use for the undersurface, it looks a little too blue. Here is a good color chart. Note, that the Italian interior color was closer to the British pale green than a US interior green.
Usually for the undersurface I use Tamiya’s rattle can AS 26 Lt. Ghost gray, the FS number is a match for the Italian color.Tamiya’s color chart is below.
I used a mix of Tamiya IJN Grey with blue for the undersurface. Because I’ve looked at some some different building plans, (Tauro models, Hasegawa, 21st) and none of them being the same, I made a mix of my own…
For future reference, In recent publications it has been found that the antenna masts for Macchi aircraft were not camouflage painted. Instead they were clear varnished natural wood. Light refection would grab the camo color in pictures.
