1/32 PCM C.200 early-production Saetta and C-202 Folgore

Here are two Pacific Coast Models 1/32 Macchis.

First is a mid-production C.200 Saetta with "smoke ring" camouflage, flown by Teniente Giuseppe Re of the 85th Squadriglia, 18th Gruppo of 3rd Stormo, based at Abu Haggag in Libya at the time of the Battle of El Alamein.

Next is the C.202 Folgore, also done with the "smoke ring" camouflage, this one flown by Sergente Maresciallo Ennio Tarantola of the 151st Squadriglia of the 20 Gruppo C.T. during the 1942 Malta campaign. The name "Dai Banana!" ("Come on, Banana!") refers to his youth when he worked as a banana seller for the Colombo‑Poggi firm at Piazza Cavour, where he gained the nickname “Banana,” which he used for the rest of his life.

Lots of modelers don't seem to understand that these smoke rings were not nice, neat examples of spray painting, and opt for decals to make the model look nice and neat. In fact, photographs show the “smoke rings” were messy with overspray, and that no two airplanes done with this scheme were alike, since the application of the pattern was entirely at the discretion of the individual painter. I thinned the paint 50-50 with Xtracrylix Thinner and applied various sizes and shapes of “smoke rings,” not worrying about neatness and uniformity..

A bit of extra effort was expended on the C.200, putting in wiring in the accessory section, since it is visible through the open wheel well.

As with most MPM-designed PCM kits, "some modeling skill required" is necessary with all the Macchi kits, but the results are quite nice if one knows enough about the airplanes to make the necessary modifications to the basic kits.

17 additional images. Click to enlarge.