Macchi C.202 Folgore - 21° Gruppo Autonomo C.T. - 1943
Bonjour dear iModelers,
I wanted to make a "full options" model, with difficult camouflage, just to test my possibilities. My choice fell on the MC.202 Folgore d'Hasegawa, re-boxed by Eduard in 2016 in Limited Edition (#1132), i.e. with some resin parts, photoetched parts, masks, and a superb sheet of decals made by Cartograf. Unfortunately, as usual, Eduard does not include all of the accessories on offer in these limited editions. So I added the kit for the complex hydraulic piping located in the undercarriage bay (#648 278), as well as the exhausts (#648 281).
My choice fell fairly quickly on an MC. 202 VI of 21 ° Gruppo Autonomo C.T., a unit which had been urgently dispatched to the Eastern Front to help the German ally. As this Gruppo was previously based in North Africa (I'm assuming Libya), the camouflage is desert type, and yellow stripes and white triangles were soon painted to improve identification. I found this camouflage unusual and interesting to make.
So I was not disappointed with the difficulty of editing and painting, but with a little patience we get there. I didn't manage to fit all the accessories in photoetched parts, there are some unwelcome interferences during assembly, especially in the cockpit. Annoying. It was in the photoetched part that I found my limits. Given what remains visible once the fuselage is closed, one can wonder if this is sometimes of interest. Finally, let us note once again that if the Hasegawa models are endowed with a very beautiful and fine panel engraving, their assembly is no less delicate, requiring puttying and sanding (and therefore re-engraving). Certainly, this model dates from the previous millennium, but at the time, Tamiya was already making Tamiya...
The assembly of the hydraulic piping in the undercarriage bay does not call for any particular comment. By following the instructions precisely and with care, it can be assembled quite easily. This resin kit is a real "plus".
I had a lot of fun painting, especially painting the green spaghettis. This works relatively well on flat surfaces, less well on curved surfaces, where spiderwebs are difficult to avoid, of course due to the high dilution rate. Rather than annoying myself in vain, I did what I could, then "smoothed out" the imperfections by reprojecting hazelnut color diffusely onto the imperfections. Finally, I like the result. To do this, I used a Mr. Procon Boy FWA (PS-270) with 0.2mm nozzle. The paints are all Mr. Hobby Aqueous, and I followed Eduard's recommendations for paint references.
The installation of Cartograf decals does not pose any problem. I use Tamiya Mark Fit which has the advantage of being a "2 in 1" product: adhesive and softener.
As for the washes, I applied thinned ocher oil paint to all surfaces except the yellow parts where I applied a dark gray. In the few photos in my possession, often of poor quality, it seemed to me that the camouflage held up quite well. So I haven't weathered much. And then I wanted this particular camouflage to remain clearly visible. The exhaust traces are well marked, but without exaggeration.
Finally, I varnished with a 50/50 mixture of Mr. Color UV Cut GX 112 (Gloss) and GX 113 (Matte), all diluted to 50% with Mr. Color Leveling Thinner.
I can understand that this type of camouflage is a drag for some, it was for me until I finally made up my mind. The key is to have your airbrush securely in hand, whatever it is. And patience. But quite frankly, with a minimum of care, it is quite achievable. My message is: to anyone who is hesitant, if you think you are comfortable enough with your airbrush, go for it!
I hope you like it. See you soon for new adventures!
Very nicely build Italian fighter, Stéphane.
Landing gear details are astonishing.
I was always hesitating for this spaghetti painting, but the way you described it makes me want to try it soon.
Nice group you are showing on that last picture.
Thanks John. Go ahead for the spaghetti painting, mainly a matter of patience.
What a great job, Stephane!
Wonderful details, especially the landing gear hyds.
A Folgore beautifully put together, painted, decalled and weathered.
I loved your "go for it!" spaghetti painting approach.
Kind of reminds me of my beloved Ayrton Senna: upon "fearing" on trying new, more aggressive techniques, he kept on doing them till fear disappeared.
Congratulations, my friend. You did an exquisite job!
Love it! I built the same kit when it was Hasagawa.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
From an "old" retired modeler all I can say is:
WHAT A GREAT LOOKING MODEL WHICH GET'S A "NINE" (9) ON MY SCALE; (1 to 10). #10 goes to the one who made Planet Earth.
To all, may thanks for your kind words!
Rick, I like this heavy weathered German version. Bravo! (the canopy should open on the other side I guess, right?)
Excellent! You did a fantastic job on the camo. Love the Italian schemes.
Thanks Greg!
Bellissimo aereo! Beautiful job on my favourite airplane.
Grazie mille, Aldo 😉
Really nice job on this Stephane, I too love doing Italian paint schemes. I've got this kit in my stash and am hoping to get to it soon. I did the predecessor to the MC. 202 last year the 1/48 Pacific Coast MC.200.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Thanks Dale! Your MC.200 is gorgeous too!
Great work and a superb result, Stephane. One of my favorite airplanes and you did it full justice.
"Liked"
Thanks for your kind words, Tom!
Stephane @Stelaire
This is a magnificent looking Folgore ! I have always been a fan of how beautiful and sleek the Italian designs were. This plane is no exception and is very graceful. You have done a wonderful job building yours, and the extra details behind the engine in the main gear wells look very good. Painting these Italian desert camouflaged can be a daunting task. I have quite a few Italian planes in the stash, but have been hesitant to build them for this very reason. I commend you on your work. It looks very good.
"liked"
Thanks Louis!
Please go ahead, if I did it, you can do it too, believe me 😉
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
A true well done built and equally well done camouflage on this model Stephane.
Your attention to the extra details can be seen and your slight weathering gives this model character.
Excellent all around. Extra details, camo and weathering are all first rate!
Very nice maquette Stéphane.
Thank you for the build process description. I am holding out on Italian aircraft until I get technique and material usage figured out. I almost got there on a vintage SM-79 until I tried to remove dust right after varnishing !
Patience is a virtue and it shows on your models’ amazing look.
Merci!
Great looking Folgore. Have one of these kits (Hasegawa) in the stash but there's no way could replicate the fantastic job you did on the wheel wells. Awesome job!
Beautiful, Stéphane.
Italian camouflage can be very elusive, but I think you've captured it well.
You've inspired me to post my own effort from a long time ago (2005).
Excellent!
An elegant build!
To all, many many thanks again for your nice comments. I did not expect so much positive feedback! Great motivation for the next ones to come 😉