Italian Fighter Aircraft

[David603]

The Hurricane IIc has 4 20mm Hispano cannon. They are certainly one of the best, if not the best 20mm cannon around, and with four of them a fighter can be ripped apart almost instantly. None of the Italian aircraft listed there can match that sort of firepower, but the MC.205 Veltro is close with 2 20mm cannon (German MG 151s) and 2 12.7mm MGs, and the MC.205 has a lot more ammunition for these guns and is also around 50mph faster. The MC.202 Folgore would be a better match both for gameplay and historical reasons, and is 30mph faster than the Hurricane II and armed with 2 12.7mm MGs and 2 7.7mm MGs.

The MC.202 can be seen in the "Demo Trailer" on the IC website, and I'm sure it will feature in the Sicily campaign, though against Spitfire IXs and Mustang Is it will probably be rather outclassed.

[Gilgenbach]

Originally Posted by David603

The Hurricane IIc has 4 20mm Hispano cannon. They are certainly one of the best, if not the best 20mm cannon around, and with four of them a fighter can be ripped apart almost instantly. None of the Italian aircraft listed there can match that sort of firepower, but the MC.205 Veltro is close with 2 20mm cannon (German MG 151s) and 2 12.7mm MGs, and the MC.205 has a lot more ammunition for these guns and is also around 50mph faster. The MC.202 Folgore would be a better match both for gameplay and historical reasons, and is 30mph faster than the Hurricane II and armed with 2 12.7mm MGs and 2 7.7mm MGs.

The MC.202 can be seen in the "Demo Trailer" on the IC website, and I'm sure it will feature in the Sicily campaign, though against Spitfire IXs and Mustang Is it will probably be rather outclassed.

Although it outclassed the Hurricane, P40 and even the Spitfire Mk Vs.

[David603]

Originally Posted by Gilgenbach

Although it outclassed the Hurricane, P40 and even the Spitfire Mk Vs.

Hurricanes and P40s, yes, but against Spitfire Vs it would at best be an even fight and I would rather be flying the Spit in that confrontation.

[Soviet Ace]

Thought I'd just give you guys a quick little excerpt. I was lucky enough to find it off Wikipedia, but it's the same as in my book, so it's reliable. Check it out.

"On my first combat, the 9 of July, I attacked the leader of a Squadriglia of Falcos, while Flt Lt George Burges attacked a S.79 bomber. When I shot the CR.42 at a range of 100 yards, he did a flick-roll and went spinning down. I found myself engaged in dogfighting with the remaining CR.42s. This went down to about 10,000 ft; by then I had used up all my ammunition without much success, although I am convinced I got quite a few strikes on the leader in the initial combat. I realized pretty quickly that dogfighting with biplanes was just not on. They were so manoeuvrable that it was very difficult to get in a shot, and I had to keep diving and turning to keep myself from being shot down. George had by this time disappeared so I stuck my nose down and, with full throttle, was very thankful to get out of the way."

-Plt Off Jock Barber

Just an example of the Fiat CR.42 in action.

Also, I'm going to say that at Medium altitudes, the Macchi MC.202 could take on the Spitfire Mk.V in a successful dogfight. I'll try and find that account as well.

[DigitalMan]

I love the little Macchi, I think its a really beautiful fighter. And how do we know its an Mc 202? I betcha its a 205. I hope they've rendered a cockpit for it, I'd like to mix it with some spits online in a Macchi, and I too would gladly pay for an italian dlc. Woohoo!

[David603]

Originally Posted by DigitalMan

I love the little Macchi, I think its a really beautiful fighter. And how do we know its an Mc 202? I betcha its a 205. I hope they've rendered a cockpit for it, I'd like to mix it with some spits online in a Macchi, and I too would gladly pay for an italian dlc. Woohoo!

It is a MC 202. The engine cowling is the main visible point of difference between the two fighters, and the plane in the trailers is definitely a MC 202, identifieable by the different shape of the air intakes under the exhausts on each side. Considering how similar the external models are, it would be very easy to make the MC 205 out of the MC 202 by changing the cowling slightly, replacing the 7.7mm MGs with 20mm cannon and changing a few other stats.

[Soviet Ace]

Thanks for clearing that up, David. I tried to see, but all the pics didn't help, and when I saw the video I couldn't see the cowling so I was stumped.

If they have the MC.202, then I'm sure they'll have a MC.205. And I do hope they will have authentic cockpit view for the Italian planes.

EDIT: You were right, David. It is a MC.202, I just watched through the video, and saw it had a 202 cowling.