An Italian fighter pilot and its Macchi MC.202 ready for tak off. Location and unit unkown. Victor Sierra

A pilot and its MC.202

Again the most famous Italian fighter of WW2 and perhaps
of all-time: the Macchi MC.202 "Folgore" wich Mario Castoldi designed around the German engine DB601 (the acronym MC mean Macchi-Castoldi). The photo now selected depict the first prototype of MC.202 (MM445)wich flew for first time at Lonate Pozzolo, near Varese, August 10, 1940. Pilot Guido Carestiato wich was the test pilot of all Macchi's aircraft until MB-326 (first flight December 1959). After the first flight at Lonate Pozzolo, the plane was transferred at Guidonia for evaluation tests and at Furbara for firing tests, all with positive conclusions, and at September 1940 the Regia Aeronautica signed the first order. The industries involved in the production of "202" were the Aermacchi, Breda and la S.A.I. Ambrosini at Passignano sul Trasimeno . First deliveries of MC.202 built by Macchi at may 1941, first aircraft built by Breda at Sesto San Giovanni (Milan) at July of same year followed by aircraft S.A.I. Ambrosini (Passignano sul Trasimeno, near Perugia). Note the shape of canopy of prototype, main difference between MM445 and series aircraft.

First "Folgore"

A tenente pilota (lieutenant pilot) of Italian Regia Aeronautica, note the rank over the sleeve of flying jacket (the same also in today's Aeronautica Militare) standing near its Macchi MC.202 "Folgore" and emblem of its Stormo, 1st Stormo Caccia Terrestre, over the white strip on fuselaget. The emblem is the "Arciere" (Archer) with the motto "Incocca, tende, scaglia". Victor Sierra