An Italian fighter Macchi MC.202 Folgore of 51st Stormo, 374th Squadriglia, waiting for the next mission. Somewhere in Sicily, perhaps Catania, 1942. Victor Sierra

MC.202


This seaplane was the protagonist of a dramatic history in the Mediterranean’s sky. On July 29, 1942 an Italian maritime reconnaissance floatplane Cant-Z-506B Airone of 139th Squadriglia after the rescue of the four crewmen of a RAF’s Bristol Beufort shot down on the sea near Corfu, flew to Taranto with the prisoners, one British, one South African and two New Zealander. But during the flight, the prisoners overwhelmed the Italian five crewmen and hijacked the aircraft to Malta where the Italians were declared POW. At Malta the plane was commandeered by RAF, repainted in British colors and markings and registered HK977. Afterwards the floatplane, in this photo still at Malta, moored at Kalafrana, was transferred in Egypt, at Alexandria. Victor Sierra


Hijacking over the Mediterranean

Two Italian Regia Aeronautica’s MC.202s Folgore on Naples-Capodichino airport, perhaps 1943. Note the unusual for Italian aircrafts the red propeller’s spinners. Victor Sierra