Hobby 2000 72007 - 1:72 Macchi MC.202 Folgore - Russia 1942

1:72 plastic model kit of the Macchi MC.202 Folgore fighter

Hobby 2000 72007 is a self-assembly model of the Macchi MC.202 Folgore fighter in a release devoted to a rarely covered subject – the Italian air units fighting on the Eastern Front in 1942.

The kit is based on Hasegawa plastic, valued for its crisp recessed panel lines and good parts fit. Hobby 2000 has added a newly researched waterslide decal sheet printed by Cartograf and self-adhesive canopy masks, which make painting the canopy framing much easier.

The decals allow two aircraft to be modelled: 356-3 of 356ª Squadriglia, 41° Gruppo Autonomo at Voroshilovgrad in November 1942, and 386-1, serial MM 8122, of 386ª Squadriglia, 21° Gruppo Autonomo at Kantemirovka in October 1942.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues (Hasegawa tooling)
• Self-adhesive masks for the canopy glazing
• Waterslide decal sheet printed by Cartograf for 2 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 72007
• Manufacturer: Hobby 2000
• Assembled model length: approx. 123 mm
• Assembled wingspan: approx. 147 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The Folgore is a small, enjoyable build – a modest parts count and a simple airframe make it manageable for less experienced modellers too. The cockpit interior is best painted and finished before the fuselage halves are joined, as access afterwards is very limited. The slim nose repays careful cleaning of the gate marks, as this area is highly visible on the finished model.

Eastern Front aircraft wore the European Regia Aeronautica camouflage schemes, noticeably darker than the desert finishes. The undersides and landing gear repay attention: field airstrips on the steppe were muddy or dusty depending on the season, which leaves plenty of room for weathering with washes and pigments. Applying the decals over a gloss coat is recommended, with a satin varnish to seal the model.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel wash to bring out surface detail
• Gloss varnish for the decals and satin varnish for the final finish
• Decal softening solution

About the aircraft – Macchi MC.202 Folgore:

The Macchi MC.202 Folgore ("Thunderbolt") was the most successful Italian fighter of the Second World War to be built in significant numbers. It was developed from Mario Castoldi's MC.200 Saetta – the proven airframe was retained, but the radial engine was replaced by an inline Daimler-Benz DB 601 built under licence by Alfa Romeo as the RA.1000 RC.41. The change transformed the aircraft: the slim nose improved aerodynamics and top speed rose to around 600 km/h. The prototype flew on 10 August 1940 and the Folgore reached front-line units in the autumn of 1941.

In the air the MC.202 was agile, pleasant to fly and a match for contemporary Allied fighters including the Curtiss P-40 and early Spitfire marks. Its most serious weakness was the armament – only two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT heavy machine guns, sometimes supplemented by two 7.7 mm guns in the wings. Against well-armoured Allied bombers this firepower proved insufficient, which led to the development of the follow-on MC.205 Veltro.

Folgores fought on every front flown by the Regia Aeronautica: over Malta, in North Africa, on the Eastern Front and in the defence of Italy. The type was flown by the leading Italian fighter pilots, among them Franco Lucchini and Adriano Visconti. Production was carried out by Macchi and, under licence, by Breda and SAI Ambrosini; roughly 1100 aircraft were built in total.

Original aircraft specifications (Macchi MC.202 Folgore):

• Length: 8.85 m
• Wingspan: 10.58 m
• Height: 3.04 m
• Empty weight: approx. 2350 kg
• Take-off weight: approx. 2930 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Alfa Romeo RA.1000 RC.41 inline engine (licence-built Daimler-Benz DB 601A), approx. 1175 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 600 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 11,500 m
• Range: approx. 765 km
• Armament: 2 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns above the engine; some aircraft also carried 2 x 7.7 mm guns in the wings
• Production: 1941-1943, approx. 1100 aircraft

About the manufacturer – Hobby 2000:

Hobby 2000 is a Polish model company based in Katowice that specialises in themed releases of plastic model kits. Its business model is built on cooperation with established kit manufacturers – the Hobby 2000 catalogue features plastic originating from Hasegawa, Fujimi, Dragon, Academy and Revell moulds, among others. This particular kit uses Hasegawa plastic. The added value of a Hobby 2000 release comes from newly researched decal sheets, its own assembly instructions and – in most aircraft kits – self-adhesive canopy masks included in the box as standard. The company is known for consistently choosing subjects that are poorly covered by the large manufacturers, with a particular focus on Polish and Eastern European stories. Releases are produced in limited runs, so sold-out items can be hard to find later on. For the modeller this means proven, well-developed tooling combined with carefully researched history and a generous choice of markings.