Oxford Diecast 1/72 AC017 Macchi C220

Oxford Diecast 1/72 Macchi C220 AC017
This model has an authentic and realistic camouflage finish. It also features a high level of detail, right down to the tiny decals throughout the fuselage, wings, underside and tail. The Macchi C220 Folgore - Italian for 'thunderbolt' was a WWII fighter aircraft built by Macchi Aeronautica and operated by the Regia Aeronautica, the Royal Italian Air Force. One of the designers was Mario Castoldi, hence the letter 'C' in the model designation. The plane was considered one of the most beautiful fighters of its time and it operated on all fronts from its introduction in 1941 for the duration of the conflict. It had deficiencies, however, including insufficient armaments where the machine guns had a habit of jamming, unreliable radios and less than acceptable oxygen supply for the pilots. These problems did not, however, prevent the WWII Italian aces from shooting down many Allied aircraft, notably Spitfires in the Mediterranean of war. Oxford have chosen to model the aircraft Macchi Folgore C220 Series III, as flown by Capitano Carlo Maurizio Ruspoli, the Commanding Officer of 91 Squadriglia, 10 Gruppe, 4 Stormo, based at Fuka in Egypt in 1942, one of the hotspots of the campaign.