The Macchi 202 Folgore or "lightning" in english is an italian fighter plane developed in 1940 by the engineer Mario Castoldi and after the works on the Macchi 200 Saetta and the Macchi 201.
It's an interesting addition to the Blue team and the Italian fighter plane-set. It has been introduced with the TF5 Desert Wing DLC.
It was powered initially by the DB601A-1 engine supplied by the Germans and then by the Alfa Romeo RA1000 engine (which was a DB 601 Aa produced under licence).
It became operational in summer 1941 and was deployed in the autumn of the same year in North africa. It remained in service for the entire war.
In game we have two series available: The Macchi 202 serie III armed with 2x 12.7 mm Breda-Safat machine guns and no pilot armor. The Macchi 202 serie VII armed with 2x 12.7 mm Breda-Safat machine guns + 2x 7.7 mm Breda-Safat and pilot armor.
For every Serie there is also the option of two different engine: The "normal" is equipped with the DB601Aa The Alta Quota (that stands for High altitude) is equipped with the DB601A-1
In the video below you have a generic overview of the aircraft as well as the cockpit:
The aircraft is really pleasant to fly, thanks to its asymmetric wings it does not roll in level flight. The developer gave the aircraft quite brutal stall characteristic (even if might not be completely historical as per my researches) due to this characteristics of the wing.
The engines are the same as the Bf109E so if you already know how to use them you're good to go. Plus the Automatic pitch control here is much more simpler than in the 109. In A it will keep 2200 RPM while in S it will keep 2400. We'll take a better look at the engine settings in the next section "Engine management".
NORMAL OPERATIONS
START-UP
1. check gear lever down position 2. check flaps lever neutral position 3. check sand filter close position (especially if operating in the desert) 4. open oil and water radiators 5. open fuel shutoff valve (the big yellow lever in the front panel) 6. check chocks are engaged 7. check pitch is on A 8. set magnetos to M1+2 9. press start button
Engine doesn't need to be warmed up prior to take off.
TAKE OFF
1. set flaps to 15° 2. lock tailwheel 3. close canopy 3. gently apply full throttle 4. rotate at 170 kph
Once airborne retract gear and put the lever in neutral position, the same with flaps. Decrease power to climb. Adjust the radiator as desired.
LANDING
1. open oil & water radiators to 100% 2. check sand filter close position 3. reduce speed to about 250 kph 4. lower flaps 5. lower landing gear 6. check full flaps on final
Approach speed is about 200 kph and touchdown speed is 160 - 170 kph. Before taxing to parking area remember to raise flaps and unlock the tailwheel.
SHUT-OFF
1. check chocks in position 2. set magnetos to off 3. close fuel valve 4. close radiators 5. open canopy
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