Thanks Bondoman -
I have made a personal study of Italian aircraft over the years and have some rather rare publications on them, including Thompson's book and Nino Arena's 3 books on the 5 series fighter aircraft. I am glad to disperse my knowledge on the subject.
There are some interesting errors out there on the subject. If anyone has a copy of the C.R. 42 In Action book, the cover is fictional. Although the the pilot was real and used a C.R. 42 in the action depicted, his aircraft was not marked that way. He did devise the "angry wasp" motiff which was applied latter when they changed over to M.C. 202's. The "angry wasp" never appeared on a C. R. 42.
Then there is the P-39 debacle. Many illustrators looked at the photo's of the Co-Belligerent P-39's flown by the Italians. By making a wrong assumption, i.e., 4th Stormo used "4th Baracca" on their Macchi 202's before the armistice then they must have carried it over to the P-39's, because that what it looks like!? In truth it is in the same flowing script "Lucchini" after another fallen ace. Try to find the correct illustration or the right decals!, the only correct set was released by Italian Kits is out of production in 1/48.
There was an interesting situation with the Italian naming units after fallen heroes. Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia was Italy's top SM.79 torpedo ace. Just before the armistice he fell in comabat and was reported missing. The RSI (fascists) decided to name a bomber unit after him, only to find out that he survived, spending months in an Allied hospital and now was commanding a unit on the other side. Now that's egg in the face!
Here is some information that many may not know. Italian fighter aircraft primarily followed three series based upon the engine used.
The "0" seried were monoplane fighters based upon the Fiat A74 radial engine. The aircraft in this series included the FIAT G.50, Macchi M.C. 200, Regianne Re. 2000 and a few others. The FIAT C.R. 42 also used this engine.
The "1" series would be be those using the license built Daimler Benz DB 601 engine and would include the Regianne Re. 2001, the Macchi M.C. 202 (There wasn't a M.C. 201) and a few other aircraft. FIAT didn't produce an aircraft to compete in this series.
The "5" series (based upon the engine's last digit like the "1" series) where fighters utilizing the license built Daimler Benz DB 605 engine. The primary aircraft in this series were the FIAT G.55, Macchi M.C. 205 and the Regianne Re. 2005
Regianne's Re. 2002 used a Piaggio engine and was outside the 3 fighter series.
I mentioned this information in the aircraft forum, but with Macchi built aircraft the radio masts were not painted the primary fuselage color. Instead they were natural varnished hardwoods and should therefore be a dark wood brown.
If anyone has a question they want me to research I can be of help or go over to the Stormo forums.
http://www.stormomagazine.com/index.htm
Mike T.
Beware the hobby that eats. - Ben Franklin
Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin
The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin