This 96 page softcover book from
Mushroom
Model Magazine
is specifically devoted to the
Macchi C.202 Folgore
with a
keen focus on history, walkaround details and side view paint scheme
profiles. The cover is the usual softcover and the pages are high
quality glossy pages.
I've always
had a soft spot for the Macchi
C.202 Folgore "Lightning", no doubt due to it's use of the
DB601 motor from the Bf-109. This motor and the agile Italian
airframe made this a particularly effective fighter and one of the best
Italian fighters of WW2. Although this aircraft served with
distinction in many areas from Malta, North Africa and even in Russia, the limited production
numbers due to the lack of engines limited it during the war.
It was also lightly
armed compared to other fighters of the period, which was also not one of
it's positive attributes. It did fair well against earlier allied
fighters but had a harder time with the later war Allied fighters.
This book is well
organized and covers the evolution of the development and combat use of
the Macchi
C.202 Folgore. The book then goes on to technical data which
always is of strong interest to my due to my fascination with everything
mechanical. Next the book moves onto the 39 page walkaround
section and finally finishes up with 24 pages of colour profiles.....who
knew there was so many paint schemes. There are also 1/72 scale
plans included.
As
for images you get:
- 49 black and white photos,
- 100 colour photos,
- 11 line drawings,
- 18 black and white 3D drawings
(including wing and rudder ribbing, guns and more)
- 44 sideview
colour profiles and
- 4 views of the top or bottom of these profiles.
The
photos and images are clearly printed on glossy paper with good light and easy to make out details in the
photos.
Modellers
are always looking for books that include side view profiles, technical data
that explains the different production series of this aircraft as well as
detail walkaround photos covering the general aircraft, prop, fuselage, wing, canopy,
tail and undercarriage. This book covers this aircraft well and has most
of the details modellers need to get the details correct, although sadly there
are only black & white cockpit photos and gun bay and engine photos are
restricted to black and white drawings, which is no doubt due to the lack of
access to the few remaining museum aircraft. I was impressed with the
extensive walkaround photos of the rest of the aircraft.
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1/72
scale line drawings |
historic
photos |
photos
of museum aircraft |
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colour
walkaround photos |
more
detail photos |
landing
gear photos |
.................and
so much more....including......
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44
Colour Profiles |
I've always had a
weak spot for aircraft in desert camo, so the Macchi
C.202 Folgore "Lightning" has always been a fascination for
me. I am quite pleased to add this book to my library.....it will
prove to be a very helpful book when I tackle a Macchi
C.202 Folgore "Lightning" model. Special thanks to the folks at
Mushroom
Model Magazine for the review sample and bringing this book to my attention. You
can purchase this book through their secure online webstore at Mushroom
Model Magazine or at book stores or in North America through
Squadron.com
or Platypus Publications in Australia.
Steve
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